Defenders Antonee Robinson and Auston Trusty and midfielder Johnny Cardoso will miss the United States’ Concacaf Nations League matches this week. They were replaced on the roster Tuesday by an all-MLS trio: midfielders Jack McGlynn (Houston Dynamo), Maximilian Arfsten (Columbus Crew) and Brian Gutiérrez (Chicago Fire).
The US Soccer Federation did not detail any injuries, but USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino said in a press conference that the absences were for unspecified “medical reasons”.
Cardoso left Real Betis’ La Liga match against Las Palmas earlier this month after 79 minutes and was later seen training with his left thigh wrapped, Spanish media reported. Trusty picked up what Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers called a “slight calf knock” before the Scottish side’s Old Firm match against Rangers on Sunday. The injury did not keep him out of training but did render him unavailable for the game itself. Robinson was not thought to be injured, having started and played all 90 minutes in Fulham’s 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur at the weekend.
The moves leave the US shorthanded in defense entering the tournament, with Robinson being the only regular left-back in the squad. In his absence, Marlon Fossey and Joe Scally are the only players who have consistently played outside back for the US, though Tim Weah has played there on occasion for Juventus. Trusty’s absence will be slightly less impactful, as Pochettino still has four recognized center-backs in the squad.
McGlynn has a chance to make his first appearance for the US outside a January camp, where he has received each of his three caps including two earlier this year. In a friendly against Venezuela that month, McGlynn scored a goal and added an assist. Arfsten and Gutiérrez each also impressed in that January camp, appearing in friendly wins against Venezuela and Costa Rica. All are considered to be some of MLS’s most promising young American players.
The US, who have won three consecutive Concacaf Nations League titles, play Panama on Thursday at Inglewood, California, then face Mexico or Canada on Sunday in the title game or third-place match.
