Gio Reyna has made his return to the U.S. men’s national team roster for the first time since March, as head coach Mauricio Pochettino embraces an experimental strategy for the upcoming November matches. With a roster containing 11 players who missed the previous friendlies against Ecuador and Australia, the variations are largely attributed to player availability and shifting team dynamics.
This month’s squad sees the return of Tyler Adams, who sat out last month awaiting the birth of his second child, alongside Sergino Dest and Ricardo Pepi, both recovered from injuries. Notably absent are Christian Pulisic, nursing a hamstring strain acquired in the match against Australia, and Antonee Robinson, who has been struggling with a knee issue for some time.
USMNT’s November Roster Overview
GOALKEEPERS (4): Roman Celentano (FC Cincinnati), Matt Freese (New York City FC), Jonathan Klinsmann (Cesena), Patrick Schulte (Columbus Crew)
DEFENDERS (9): Max Arfsten (Columbus Crew), Sergino Dest (PSV Eindhoven), Alex Freeman (Orlando City), Mark McKenzie (Toulouse FC), Tim Ream (Charlotte FC), Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati), Joe Scally (Borussia Mönchengladbach), John Tolkin (Holstein Kiel), Auston Trusty (Celtic)
MIDFIELDERS (7): Tyler Adams (Bournemouth/ENG), Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps), Aidan Morris (Middlesbrough), Gio Reyna (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders), Tanner Tessmann (Olympique Lyon), Sean Zawadzki (Columbus Crew)
FORWARDS (5): Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United), Folarin Balogun (AS Monaco), Diego Luna (Real Salt Lake), Ricardo Pepi (PSV Eindhoven), Haji Wright (Coventry City)
Injury Updates on Key Players
Pulisic’s absence stems from a minor hamstring injury, yet there’s optimism he could return for AC Milan’s clash against Parma. However, given that he will still be in recovery mode when the national team reconvenes, Pochettino deemed it imprudent to call him up. He stated, “It’s not common sense to call a player who’s not fully fit. We prioritize the player’s long-term health.”
Weston McKennie, although fit, has opted to remain with Juventus instead of joining the national squad. Pochettino supports this decision, emphasizing the importance of building rapport with the new club coach.
The Comeback of Gio Reyna
Reyna is undoubtedly one of the most talented players in the USMNT setup. However, injuries have hampered his career, and he has struggled for playing time at the club level. Having completed only one full league season with over ten appearances, his lack of recent playing time has affected his standing with the national team.
Despite a tumultuous past, including a well-publicized family dispute with former head coach Gregg Berhalter, Reyna acknowledges that his future with the national team rests on his on-field performance. With only one start for Monchengladbach this season, his match fitness is improving, which has garnered renewed interest from Pochettino.
The Competitive Forward Line
The USMNT has seen a surge in overall performance, primarily driven by a forward line in fine form. Folarin Balogun has made his mark with two goals and one assist in his last four matches, while Haji Wright shone against Australia, scoring twice. An added boost comes from Ricardo Pepi, who returns to the squad for the first time in a year, securing five goals in his last 12 games for club and country.
Diego Luna’s versatility will also be tested, as he transitions from midfielder to a more offensive role, which Pochettino believes plays to his strengths.
Emerging Goalkeeping Talent
Amidst Pochettino’s experimentation, Matt Freese is emerging as a front-runner for the starting goalkeeper position. Having recently gained experience with New York City FC, he has become the team’s most seasoned goalkeeper on this roster. With 11 caps to his name, Freese’s ascent may signify a shift in the typical hierarchy, as 2022 World Cup starter Matt Turner has found himself absent from recent call-ups.
As the U.S. prepares for critical friendlies against Paraguay on November 15 and Uruguay on November 18, this month’s roster presents a crucial opportunity for players to stake their claim ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
