The first FIFA international window since the Qatar World Cup represents a time for new beginnings, restarts and clean slates.
So the U.S. men’s national team that will convene next week in Orlando to prepare for a pair of Concacaf Nations League games includes goalkeeper Zack Steffen and striker Ricardo Pepi, who were surprising cuts from the World Cup squad. It also features center back Miles Robinson, a rising star who missed Qatar with an Achilles injury. Dual national Alex Zendejas, an attacker at Mexican power Club América, is in after committing his future to the U.S. this week. And most notably, Borussia Dortmund’s Gio Reyna has been included just a couple days after U.S. Soccer released the results of the independent investigation into his parents’ accusations against former manager Gregg Berhalter, along with the feud between the long-time friends that erupted during the World Cup.
The conflict was sparked by Gio Reyna’s behavior during the build-up to the opener against Wales, which he was told he’d begin on the U.S. bench. Although Berhalter and his staff, including current interim manager Anthony Hudson, considered sending Reyna home, the 20-year-old eventually apologized to the team and reversed course in time to play a significant amount of the round-of-16 loss to the Netherlands.
Inside the team, the matter was considered resolved.
“As I’ve said before, the situation during the World Cup was handled as a group. There was a positive response from the player, and we all moved forward,” Hudson said in a Q&A released Wednesday.
“Clearly it became a bit more complex in the months since the World Cup, but as far as we’re concerned Gio is a part of our program. He’s a good guy and a top talent and he is evaluated like any other player. We made the roster decisions based on what gives the team the best opportunity to win these games, and we brought him in because we think he can help us do that.”
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There are some stakes attached to the upcoming matches, which will close out the group stage of the 2022-23 Concacaf Nations League. After training in Florida, the Americans will travel to Grenada for a March 24 game against the Spice Boys. Three days later, the U.S. will be back in Orlando for the finale against El Salvador.
Hudson’s most critical mission should be simple: earn at least one point across two games to ensure a place in this summer’s Gold Cup (the Americans could qualify even with two defeats thanks to superior goal differential). Beyond that, if the U.S. (1-0-1) finishes above El Salvador (1-0-2) and Grenada (0-2-1) in the three-team group, it’ll get to contest the Nations League final four in June, prior to the Gold Cup.
“First and foremost, our objective is to win both matches,” Hudson said. “Grenada is not an easy place to play. The last time the U.S. was there it was a 3–2 win [in 2004], and we know El Salvador is a difficult opponent. We want to defend our Nations League title and also qualify for this summer’s Gold Cup, and to do that we need to get results. From there, we want to maintain the standards that we’ve set and continue to build on the accomplishments of the last four years.”
This is a roster that should have no problem reaching those objectives. There are 13 World Cup veterans, in addition to several others who had a case for inclusion and only two uncapped players. Most of the program’s big names will be present. The most notable absence is captain Tyler Adams, who was omitted because of a hamstring issue, according to U.S. Soccer. Adams went 90 minutes in Leeds United’s 2–2 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday.
“We walked away from that World Cup knowing that we are capable of more, and we’re excited to continue to move this group forward,” Hudson said.
Here’s a look at Hudson’s 24-man team:
Goalkeepers
Ethan Horvath (Luton Town), Zack Steffen (Middlesbrough), Matt Turner (Arsenal)
Steffen was a relatively shocking omission from the World Cup squad. But after battling for months with Turner for the No. 1 shirt, Steffen missed out altogether because Berhalter felt that Horvath and Sean Johnson would be more comfortable in reserve roles. Steffen, 27, has been starting regularly for Middlesbrough in the English Championship while Turner, 28, remains the No. 2 at Premier League leader Arsenal.
“As we have always emphasized, missing out on any one opportunity isn’t the end of the journey,” Hudson said. “We’re very excited to have Zack back in. He’s been in good form for Middlesbrough.”
Defenders
Sergiño Dest (AC Milan), Mark McKenzie (Genk), Tim Ream (Fulham), Bryan Reynolds (Westerlo), Antonee Robinson (Fulham), Miles Robinson (Atlanta United), Joe Scally (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Auston Trusty (Birmingham City)
Robinson, 26, arguably was the best player at the 2021 Gold Cup and seemed to have a starting job in Berhalter’s back four locked up before tearing his Achilles tendon last May. Although Ream and Walker Zimmerman ranged from adequate to excellent in Qatar, the Americans missed Robinson’s range and the attacking threat he poses on set pieces.
Robinson is the only MLS player on the roster. He’s played every minute of Atlanta’s three matches so far.
“Players based outside the [U.S.] will need to have a break at some point this summer, and the domestic-based players could wind up missing a number of league games if they played in all the competitions,” Hudson explained.
“In the case of Miles, we haven’t seen him in a year and felt like this was the right opportunity to reintegrate him into the group. Given he is still coming back from his injury and it would be a challenge for him to play multiple games in a week both now and in April [in a friendly against Mexico], this is the best chance to get him back on the field with the national team before the summer.”
Midfielders
Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United), Johnny Cardoso (Internacional), Luca de la Torre (Celta Vigo), Weston McKennie (Leeds United), Yunus Musah (Valencia), Alan Soñora (Juárez)
The U.S. has been accustomed to playing with either Adams or Los Angeles FC’s Kellyn Acosta in defensive midfield, so the Nations League could be an opportunity for Cardoso, the 21-year-old, New Jersey born son of Brazilian parents, to get an extended look. Hudson could also experiment with the alignment, especially since the Americans are likely to have most of the possession against both Grenada and El Salvador.
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Forwards
Taylor Booth (Utrecht), Daryl Dike (West Bromwich Albion), Ricardo Pepi (Groningen), Christian Pulisic (Chelsea), Gio Reyna (Borussia Dortmund), Tim Weah (Lille), Alex Zendejas (Club América)
After having represented both the U.S. and Mexico at both the junior and senior levels, Zendejas, 25, finally committed to the former on Tuesday. The winger was born in Ciudad Juárez, raised in El Paso and played at the FC Dallas academy. He’s an América starter when healthy, but recently missed time with a hamstring injury.
“I’m very grateful for all the opportunities the United States and Mexico have provided to me and my family,” Zendejas posted on Instagram. “Making a decision on your international career is very difficult, and I believe in following your heart. Mine tells me that my future lies representing the USA.”
Regarding Zendejas’s decision, Hudson said, “It’s great for the team. Alex certainly adds more quality and depth to the squad. He’s someone that really impressed us all in January and we’ve obviously seen a lot of him playing for his club. We are really pleased he has agreed to join us.”
Pulisic, the most experienced member of the roster, is also returning from injury. He hurt his knee in a Jan. 5 Premier League loss to Manchester City and was out for two months before finally seeing the field briefly in last week’s Champions League defeat of Dortmund. Pulisic then played 17 minutes as a sub last weekend against Leicester City.
