Roster USMNT for World Cup qualifiers: Christian Pulisic returns for USA-Mexico

Christian Pulisic will return for the United States men’s national team just in time for one of his most important World Cup qualifiers against rival Mexico (November 12), one of two qualifiers to be played in the November international window. The other will see the US face Jamaica in Kingston on November 16.

Pulisic missed all three qualifiers in October due to an ankle injury sustained with USMNT in their victory in Honduras on 8 September. He made his competitive comeback just nearly two months later when he took the field for Chelsea’s UEFA Champions League group stage game against Malmo FF on 2 November.

“We’ll see what kind of minutes he has this weekend [with Chelsea], “Berhalter said in a conference call with the media.” He just started training earlier in the week. It was unexpected that he would play against Malmo. It’s about making him progress safely. We are not willing to risk anything. It depends on how he feels he will dictate how much he will play in these two games. “

MORE: CONCACAF World Cup qualification standings

While Pulisic’s return is the big story, so are the players who will be missing due to injury. Starters Sergino Dest (FC Barcelona) and Giovanni Reyna (Borussia Dortmund) will miss their November games due to injury. Reyna has a longstanding hamstring injury that was also suffered with the USMNT against El Salvador in September. Dest injured his lower back during the Champions League match with Barcelona.

“If you look at what has changed from month to month [with Scally], played another five Bundesliga games, a [German] cup match where they beat Bayern 5-0. He got an assist the other day. When we see it go against [Leroy] Sane or Alphonso Davies, he’s been put to the test and he’s standing up to these tests, “Berhalter said. As a young man, we wanted to see him perform consistently at a high level and he did.”

USMNT manager Gregg Berhalter took the opportunity to call 18-year-old US full-back Joe Scally, who got off to a good start in his first year with German Bundesliga side Borussia Monchengladbach. Scally made 12 appearances for the club, including 10 in the Bundesliga. He already has a goal and an assist to his name.

Other players left off the last field include striker Gyasi Zardes (left knee injury), left-back George Bello and right-back Shaq Moore. In their place take place Jesus Ferreira, Sam Vines and Reggie Cannon. Matthew Hoppe and Luca de la Torre will also be missing, as will veteran out-of-shape defender John Brooks who released this statement to Fox Sports football journalist Doug McIntyre:

“The decision to leave me out of this field is not surprising given some of my recent performances.”

Impressive responsibility of John Brooks. Here is his full statement a @FOXSports about being left out of the last #USMNT list: pic.twitter.com/i5CdZzIbSH

– Doug McIntyre (@ByDougMcIntyre) November 4, 2021

“It was a really tough decision and a lot of it was based on his performance with the team last time around,” Berhalter said. “I’ve seen some of his comments and that’s all you can ask as a player’s answer. … All John has done is take responsibility for his own performance. He’s getting back into shape. I don’t assume this is going for be his last time in the national team. I’m sure he’ll be back. It’s just about getting back in shape and performing at a high level when the opportunity arises. “

USMNT World Cup Qualifier Roster

Goalkeepers (3): Sean Johnson (NYCFC), Zack Steffen (Manchester City / ENG), Matt Turner (New England Revolution)

Defenders (9): Reggie Cannon (Boavista / POR), Mark McKenzie (Genk / BEL), Chris Richards (Hoffenheim / GER), Antonee Robinson (Fulham / ENG), Miles Robinson (Atlanta United), Joe Scally (Borussia Monchengladbach / GER), Sam Vines (Antwerp / BEL), DeAndre Yedlin (Galatasaray / TUR), Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC)

Midfielders (7): Kellyn Acosta (Colorado Rapids), Tyler Adams (RB Lipsia / GER), Gianluca Busio (Venice / ITA), Sebastian Lletget (LA Galaxy), Weston McKennie (Juventus / ITA), Yunus Musah (Valencia / ESP), Cristian Roldan ( Seattle Sirens)

Forwards (6): Brenden Aaronson (RB Salzburg / AUT), Paul Arriola (DC United), Jesus Ferreira (FC Dallas), Ricardo Pepi (FC Dallas), Christian Pulisic (Chelsea / ENG), Tim Weah (LOSC Lille / FRA)

Regarding the role of center forward, Berhalter made it clear that Pepi will take the majority of the minutes at that point against Mexico and Jamaica. When it comes to the depth chart behind Pepi, Berhalter said Tim Weah has filled in there for LOSC Lille and Pulisic can also fit into the role. But Berhalter also sees 20-year-old FC Dallas striker Jesus Ferreira as an option:

“When you look at Jesus’ body of work with the national team, he played number 9 [center forward]. In his performances, even if against minor opponents, we like what he did at no. 9th position, “Berhalter said.” He was in exceptional shape in Dallas. We know he played more of a playmaker role, but he has that kind of playing intelligence that allows him to adapt very easily to a role. “

MORE: Which teams qualified for the World Cup?

USMNT World Cup Qualification Program

encounter	Date	Opponent / Result
1	Thursday 2 September 2021	El Salvador 0, United States 0	Emphasizes
2	Sun 5 September 2021	United States 1, Canada 1	Emphasizes
3	Wed 8 September 2021	Honduras 1, United States 4th	Emphasizes
4th	Thu, Oct. 7, 2021	United States 2, Jamaica 0	Emphasizes
5	Sunday, Oct 10, 2021	Panama 1, United States 0	Emphasizes
6th	Wed, Oct. 13, 2021	United States 2, Costa Rica 1	Emphasizes
7th	Fri, November 12, 2021	United States against Mexico	9pm ET
8th	Tuesday 16th November 2021	Jamaica vs. United States	5pm ET
9	Thursday 27 January 2022	United States against El Salvador	to be defined
10	Sun 30 January 2022	Canada vs. United States	to be defined
11	Wed 2 Feb 2022	United States against Honduras	to be defined
12 °	Thursday 24 March 2022	Mexico vs. United States	to be defined
13	Sun 27 March 2022	United States against Panama	to be defined
13	Wed 30 March 2022	Costa Rica vs. United States	to be defined

CONCACAF World Cup qualification standings

Each team plays the other home and away for a total of 14 qualifying matches.

The top three teams earn a direct spot at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, while the fourth place advances to the playoffs against a team from another region.

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squad	PTS	GP	W.	L.	D.	GF	GA	GD
1. Mexico	14	6th	4th	0	2	10	3	+7
2. United States	11	6th	3	1	2	9	4th	+5
3. Canada	10	6th	2	0	4th	10	4th	+6
4. Panama	8th	6th	2	2	2	6th	6th	0
5. Costa Rica	6th	6th	1	2	3	4th	5	-1
6. El Salvador	5	6th	1	3	2	2	7th	-5
7. Jamaica	5	6th	1	3	2	4th	8th	-4
8. Honduras	3	6th	0	3	3	2	10	-8