Antonee Robinson, Johnny Cardoso, and Auston Trusty have been left out of the USMNT squad, with Mauricio Pochettino bringing in three replacements for the CONCACAF Nations League.
Three players have withdrawn from the U.S. men’s national team squad due to injuries and have been replaced by Max Arfsten, Brian Gutiérrez, and Jack McGlynn.
WHAT HAPPENED?
The USMNT has made three roster changes for their CONCACAF Nations League squad ahead of Thursday’s semifinal against Panama. Due to injuries, Antonee Robinson, Johnny Cardoso, and Auston Trusty have been removed from the 23-man roster.
In their place, defender Max Arfsten, midfielder Brian Gutiérrez, and forward Jack McGlynn have been called up. All three were part of the January camp and included in Mauricio Pochettino’s 60-man preliminary squad. According to CONCACAF regulations, replacements must come from that list and receive federation approval.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
The trio of changes weaken an already shorthanded USMNT as Pochettino’s squad is dealing with a number of key injuries.
Up top, the USMNT is missing Folarin Balogun, Ricardo Pepi and Haji Wright, although the latter did recently make his return to the field with Coventry City. Those three were left off the preliminary squad. Also left out of that 60-man list was Sergino Dest, who recently returned to the field for PSV after missing the better part of a year with an ACL injury.
DID YOU KNOW?
Robinson’s absence will be a major blow for the USMNT, as they lose one of the world’s top-performing left-backs. His impressive form in 2024 earned him the U.S. Soccer Male Player of the Year award.
WHAT NEXT FOR THE USMNT?
The USMNT is set to take on Panama in the CONCACAF Nations League semifinals on Thursday night in Los Angeles. Depending on the outcome, they will compete in either the final or the third-place match on Sunday against Mexico or Canada. The U.S. aims to defend their title, having won all three previous editions of the tournament.
