The United States Men’s National Team, under coach Mauricio Pochettino, is facing adjustments to their roster as they prepare to compete against Panama in the Concacaf Nations League semifinals on Thursday at 7 p.m. ET.
Pochettino has confirmed that Antonee Robinson, Johnny Cardoso, and Auston Trusty will be unavailable for the upcoming match due to injuries. Jack McGlynn, Brian Gutierrez, and Max Arfsten have been called up to replace them in the squad.
“They are not here for medical reasons,” Pochettino stated, indicating the unavailability of the players is due to health issues.
These new additions to the team include players who participated in the January camp, where the USMNT played against Venezuela and Costa Rica. Nine players from that camp are now on the roster, providing Pochettino an opportunity to assess the potential of domestic-based talent and evaluate their readiness for higher levels of international competition.
The inclusion of domestic players is logical given the short notice and Pochettino’s increasing familiarity with the MLS player pool. It also highlights the importance of the January camp in developing squad depth.
While numerous European-based players are available, the timing at the end of a demanding season increases the likelihood of injuries. The limited three-day training period before the semifinals further complicates team preparations.
Strategies for Coping Without Robinson
Antonee Robinson, with 50 caps, is a crucial player for the USMNT and a top-performing left-back in the Premier League for Fulham. His contributions, including 10 assists, significantly boost Fulham’s attack, and his athleticism allows tactical flexibility in midfield.
With Sergino Dest also unavailable, the team’s approach in the Nations League will be closely watched. Max Arfsten, a promising Columbus Crew player, offers attacking potential but balancing offense and defense will be crucial.
The USMNT has only secured one victory in their last five matches outside of January camp when Robinson was absent, a 4-0 win against Ghana. His absence impacts both the attack and defense, presenting a significant challenge for Pochettino.
This situation emphasizes the need for squad depth. Currently, there is no direct replacement for Robinson on the roster. The Nations League matches will reveal whether this becomes a major issue or if the USMNT can adapt and overcome this challenge as Pochettino builds squad depth for the 2026 World Cup. Facing such challenges in competitive matches is a valuable step in this preparation.
USMNT Roster
GOALKEEPERS (3): Patrick Schulte (Columbus Crew; 3/0), Zack Steffen (Colorado Rapids; 30/0), Matt Turner (Crystal Palace/ENG; 49/0)
DEFENDERS (7): Max Arfsten (Columbus Crew; 2/0), Cameron Carter-Vickers (Celtic/SCO; 18/0), Marlon Fossey (Standard Liege/BEL; 1/0), Mark McKenzie (Toulouse/FRA; 17/0), Tim Ream (Charlotte FC; 67/1), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace/ENG; 23/1), Joe Scally (Borussia Mönchengladbach/GER; 19/0)
MIDFIELDERS (6): Tyler Adams (Bournemouth/ENG; 42/2), Brian Gutierrez (Chicago Fire; 2/0), Diego Luna (Real Salt Lake; 3/0), Weston McKennie (Juventus/ITA; 58/11), Gio Reyna (Borussia Dortmund/GER; 31/8), Tanner Tessmann (Olympique Lyon/FRA; 6/0)
FORWARDS (7): Patrick Agyemang (Charlotte FC; 2/2), Jack McGlynn (Houston Dynamo; 3/1) Yunus Musah (AC Milan/ITA; 45/1), Christian Pulisic (AC Milan/ITA; 76/32), Josh Sargent (Norwich City/ENG; 27/5), Timothy Weah (Juventus/ITA; 42/7), Brian White (Vancouver Whitecaps/CAN; 3/1)
