USMNT October World Cup qualifying roster revealed

The United States Men’s National Team has three important matches coming up next week, and head coach Gregg Berhalter is calling in a big squad. Today, the 27-man USMNT roster was released for World Cup qualifiers against Jamaica in Austin, an away match in Panama, and closing out in Columbus against Costa Rica.

With two matches at home and one on the road against Panama, Berhalter had to bring in a bigger roster. Part of the reason behind it is the United Kingdom’s placing of Panama on their Covid “red list,” which means that all players who play there would need to quarantine for 10 days upon return, regardless of vaccination status. Earlier this month, Premier League teams blocked the call up of all players who were traveling to countries on the UK “red list” for September World Cup qualifying. U.S. Soccer confirmed that the UK-based players - Zack Steffen, Antonee Robinson, and Tim Ream - will not be available for the USMNT against Panama. The United States is not on the red list, so those players are definitely available for the 2 home matches.

Christian Pulisic and Gio Reyna, who have both battled injuries of late, are not on the roster, while Weston McKennie returns after being sent home from the team earlier this month due to repeated violations of team protocol. There are a couple of returnees to the group from injury, including Paul Arriola, Tim Weah, and Gyasi Zardes.

The 27-man roster for the October qualifying:

GOALKEEPERS (3): Sean Johnson (New York City FC), Zack Steffen (Manchester City), Matt Turner (New England Revolution)

DEFENDERS (10): George Bello (Atlanta United), John Brooks (Wolfsburg), Sergiño Dest (FC Barcelona), Mark McKenzie (Genk), Shaq Moore (Tenerife), Tim Ream (Fulham FC), Chris Richards (Hoffenheim), Antonee Robinson (Fulham FC), Miles Robinson (Atlanta United), DeAndre Yedlin (Galatasaray)

MIDFIELDERS (8): Kellyn Acosta (Colorado Rapids), Tyler Adams (RB Leipzig), Gianluca Busio (Venezia), Luca de la Torre (Heracles), Sebastian Lletget (LA Galaxy), Weston McKennie (Juventus), Yunus Musah (Valencia), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders)

FORWARDS (6): Brenden Aaronson (Red Bull Salzburg), Paul Arriola (D.C. United), Matthew Hoppe (Mallorca), Ricardo Pepi (FC Dallas), Tim Weah (Lille), Gyasi Zardes (Columbus Crew)

Hit the comments to discuss the roster and who was called in or left at home.