Mauricio Pochettino named a USMNT roster that returned Christian Pulisic, Tim Weah and Sergiño Dest after their Gold Cup absences while omitting several notable players. Pulisic is portrayed as the primary attacking threat, Weah offers pace to stretch defenses, and Dest provides attacking unpredictability after a strong start at PSV. Weston McKennie emerged as the most conspicuous exclusion amid declining club minutes, including an 89th-minute appearance for Juventus. Pochettino offered terse explanations, saying "We know Weston" and that he wanted McKennie to become "more settled in his club" before reintegration.
In his brief time as manager with the U.S. men's national team, Mauricio Pochettino hasn't shied away from making, shall we say, interesting roster decisions. The roster at the Gold Cup was chock-full of players making their international debuts when it would have been easy to err on the side of going with experienced performers, even as some players opted to sit the tournament out. But Tuesday's USMNT roster strayed from bucking convention into choices that were downright mystifying.
AC Milan attacker Christian Pulisic, Marseille winger Tim Weah and PSV Eindhoven defender Sergiño Dest are back in the fold after missing the Gold Cup for a variety of reasons. Clearly their presence will provide a significant boost to the USMNT. Pulisic is the team's best attacking threat. Weah provides raw speed, the better to stretch defenses. Dest is the attacking wildcard, capable of the unexpected, and who is off to a red-hot start with PSV.
But there were some notable -- and glaring -- absences as well. - USMNT roster: Pulisic back but McKennie out -USMNT's Pochettino on Pulisic spat: 'Nothing to talk about -Will Gladbach move save Reyna's career? Other exclusions were shocking, however. Weston McKennie was the biggest omission. Granted, his playing time has steadily decreased over the course of preseason and the start of the Serie A campaign. Last weekend, McKennie didn't get on the field until the 89th minute as 10-man Juventus prevailed over Parma, 2-0.
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