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Pochettino has shaken things up as he prepares to embark on a tedious USMNT management journey.
As Mauricio Pochettino prepares to lead the U.S. men’s national soccer team (USMNT) for the first time, he has made significant roster adjustments due to injuries affecting key players.
Just a day before the opening of his first training camp, Pochettino announced the inclusion of three new players for upcoming friendlies against Panama and Mexico.
Folarin Balogun, Tim Weah, and Johnny Cardoso will not participate due to various injuries, prompting Pochettino to call in forward Brandon Vázquez, winger Alex Zendejas, and midfielder Tanner Tessmann.
The changes were confirmed by the U.S. Soccer Federation and come after Pochettino initially set a 25-man squad.
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Balogun, who has been in fine form for Monaco, scoring in three consecutive Ligue 1 matches, suffered a shoulder injury during a recent game.
Weah, who typically occupies the right wing, has been sidelined with an ankle issue, having not played for Juventus since September 21.
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Cardoso, an occasional starter, recently recovered from a groin injury but appears to be dealing with another unspecified ailment.
Vázquez returns to the national team after making four goals in eight appearances, having last featured during the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup. Currently playing for Liga MX’s Monterrey, he has scored three goals in 12 matches this season.
Zendejas, who plays for Club América, has one goal in seven appearances for the U.S., while Tessmann, who captained the U.S. Olympic team this summer, is in his first season with Olympique Lyonnais in France.
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Pochettino's adjustments highlight the challenges of assembling a competitive roster amid injury setbacks.
The new coach, who took over from Gregg Berhalter last month, is already navigating a depleted squad that is missing other key players like Tyler Adams, Gio Reyna, Chris Richards, Cameron Carter-Vickers, and Sergiño Dest.
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With a focus on building chemistry and resilience, the upcoming friendlies will be crucial in setting the tone for his tenure as head coach and preparing the team for future competitions, including the World Cup.
The USMNT will face Panama on October 13 in Austin before taking on Mexico on October 16 in Guadalajara, offering a significant opportunity for the squad to gel under new leadership.
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