Alejandro Zendejas is named on the United States’ 26-man World Cup roster, while Lyon defensive midfielder Tanner Tessmann is not included. The roster also includes Borussia Monchengladbach attacking midfielder Gio Reyna and omits Real Salt Lake attacking midfielder Diego Luna. Reyna’s selection comes despite limited playing time of 520 minutes for Monchengladbach, though he appeared in the club’s final five league matches. Pochettino has repeatedly praised Reyna and indicated willingness to include him regardless of club form. Reyna previously faced major controversy at the 2022 World Cup and later became linked to a public dispute involving US coach Gregg Berhalter. Sebastian Berhalter is also included after strong development with Vancouver Whitecaps, including MLS Best XI recognition and key roles in major club runs.
"Club America winger Alejandro Zendejas is on the United States' 26-man roster for this summer's World Cup, while Lyon defensive midfielder Tanner Tessmann is not included. The selections are the most notable new information gleaned from head coach Mauricio Pochettino's full World Cup roster, which was obtained by the Guardian and is authentic according to multiple sources with knowledge of Pochettino's selections. The roster confirms Zendejas's selection and Tessmann's omission, along with the inclusion of Borussia Monchengladbach's Gio Reyna and the omission of Real Salt Lake's Diego Luna, both attacking midfielders, choices that were first reported by the Athletic."
"Reyna has been included despite playing only 520 minutes for Monchengladbach this season, though he featured in the club's final five league matches. Pochettino has repeatedly praised the 23-year-old and singled him out as a player he's willing to include regardless of club form. During the 2022 World Cup, Reyna found himself at the center of one of the most dramatic and bizarre moments in men's national team history, having nearly been sent home from the tournament for behavioral issues. Not long afterwards, Reyna's parents became ensnared in a prolonged public falling out with US coach Gregg Berhalter. The situation has cast a shadow over Reyna in the years that followed."
"Sebastian Berhalter, the son of the former USMNT coach, is also on the roster. The 25-year-old never represented the US at the youth international levels, but forced his way into Pochettino's plans on the back of his considerable development since joining the Vancouver Whitecaps in 2022. Berhalter made the MLS Best XI last year as the Whitecaps' chief orchestrator en route to the club's first MLS Cup berth and first run to the Concacaf Champions Cup final. Berhalter also gives this team a dead-ball"
Read at www.theguardian.com
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]