Sargent returns to USMNT roster for Copa América tuneups

United States males’s nationwide workforce supervisor Gregg Berhalter has named Josh Sargent in his 27-player roster for upcoming friendlies in opposition to Colombia and Brazil, the workforce’s closing matches earlier than squads are due for Copa América.

Ahead Sargent is predicted to make his first look in USMNT camp for the reason that 2022 World Cup after he needed to withdraw from the Concacaf Nations League Finals in March as a result of harm.

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Sargent scored 16 objectives in 26 league video games for Norwich Metropolis in England’s second-tier Championship this season after lacking 4 months of motion following ankle surgical procedure final August. He appeared to harm his ankle once more final week however was nonetheless chosen for the upcoming camp, which gamers will start reporting to on Might 28. Berhalter mentioned Sargent has slightly little bit of foot swelling occurring that the medical workers desires to get management of.

Sargent’s return provides to a crowded USMNT ahead pool that features Folarin Balogun, Ricardo Pepi and Haji Wright. Berhalter mentioned on Monday that he sees Wright enjoying a winger position, a place Berhalter feels at the moment lacks depth.

“So, then that would go away us with three strikers, and while you have a look at all the blokes, they have been doing nicely when given the chance,” Berhalter mentioned. “Between their membership kind and what they’ve achieved for the nationwide workforce prior to now, we expect it is a proficient group of strikers.”

Eighteen of the 27 gamers on Berhalter’s newest roster took half within the 2022 World Cup. All however one participant on the roster was with the U.S. for its Concacaf Nations League triumph in March, the lone exception being injured defender Sergiño Dest, who tore his ACL in coaching with Dutch membership PSV Eindhoven final month.

Defender Shaq Moore, who performs for MLS’ Nashville SC, seems to be Berhalter’s reply for larger depth at right-back following Dest’s harm.

“Clearly, with Sergiño taking place, now we have to determine the right-back state of affairs,” Berhalter mentioned, naming off Moore and Joe Scally as potential “like-for-like” choices. Berhalter additionally mentioned that Tim Weah could possibly be utilized as a wing-back, as he has at occasions for Juventus.

“We simply wished the flexibility on this coaching camp to have choices to have flexibility. A few of it could revolve round a again three,” Berhalter mentioned. “However the first goal is to see how we’re gonna fill that right-back place as a result of we all know that we will be lacking Sergiño.”

Tyler Adams, Gio Reyna, Matt Turner and Tim Ream, all coming off membership seasons by which they noticed little enjoying time over the ultimate three months, had been included within the squad, whereas goalkeeper Zack Steffen was left off by Berhalter regardless of making 14 begins for Colorado since his return to MLS.

Berhalter will choose his closing Copa América roster within the days after the pleasant matches in opposition to Colombia on June 8 in Landover, Maryland, and Brazil on June 12 in Orlando, Florida.

Berhalter faces some powerful selections, significantly with a number of younger gamers additionally eligible for the 2024 Olympics, the place the USMNT’s under-23s will compete later this summer time. The long-term purpose, he mentioned, is about making ready for the 2026 World Cup on house soil.

“We’re actually utilizing these video games to see each individually and collectively how we will carry out,” Berhalter mentioned. “And while you get to play in opposition to groups like Brazil, Colombia and Uruguay, what you get is data, and that data goes that can assist you develop and make it easier to enhance as you go in the direction of 2026.”

“This summer time presents a possibility for us to progress and develop as a workforce as we proceed to construct in the direction of the 2026 FIFA World Cup,” Berhalter mentioned in a press release.

“We have now a proficient group of gamers and are excited concerning the alternative to compete in opposition to among the finest groups on the planet.”

The USMNT’s two longest lively winless streaks are in opposition to Colombia (seven video games) and Brazil (11 straight losses). The USMNT final earned a consequence in opposition to Colombia in 2005 — a 3-0 victory in Fullerton, California — and in opposition to Brazil in a 1-0 win within the Concacaf Gold Cup semifinal in Los Angeles in 1998.

Brazil or Colombia is more likely to be the USMNT’s opponent within the Copa América quarterfinals if the People advance out of Group C.

Groups are required to submit their closing rosters for Copa América by June 15, three days later than initially required.

Final week, CONMEBOL confirmed that roster sizes for the match can be expanded to a most of 26 gamers per workforce.

Copa América will likely be performed totally within the U.S. with all 10 CONMEBOL international locations and 6 visitor groups from Concacaf.

The match kicks off on June 20, with the USMNT in Group C alongside Uruguay, Panama and Bolivia. The ultimate will happen on July 14 at Arduous Rock Stadium in Miami.

Upcoming USMNT roster (Caps/Objectives)

GOALKEEPERS (3): Ethan Horvath (Cardiff Metropolis/WAL; 9/0), Sean Johnson (Toronto FC/CAN; 13/0), Matt Turner (Nottingham Forest/ENG; 39/0)

DEFENDERS (9): Cameron Carter-Vickers (Celtic/SCO; 16/0), Kristoffer Lund (Palermo/ITA; 3/0), Mark McKenzie (Genk/BEL; 13/0), Shaq Moore (Nashville SC; 18/1), Tim Ream (Fulham/ENG; 56/1), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace/ENG; 16/1), Antonee Robinson (Fulham/ENG; 41/4), Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati; 29/3), Joe Scally (Borussia Mönchengladbach/GER; 9/0)

MIDFIELDERS (8): Tyler Adams (Bournemouth/ENG; 38/2), Johnny Cardoso (Actual Betis/ESP; 11/0), Luca de la Torre (Celta Vigo/ESP; 20/0), Weston McKennie (Juventus/ITA; 51/11), Yunus Musah (AC Milan; ITA; 35/0), Gio Reyna (Nottingham Forest/ENG; 26/8), Malik Tillman (PSV Eindhoven/NED; 10/0), Timmy Tillman (LAFC; 1/0)

FORWARDS (7): Brenden Aaronson (Union Berlin/GER; 40/8), Folarin Balogun (Monaco/FRA; 10/3), Ricardo Pepi (PSV Eindhoven/NED; 23/10), Christian Pulisic (AC Milan/ITA; 66/28), Josh Sargent (Norwich Metropolis/ENG; 23/5), Tim Weah (Juventus/ITA; 37/5), Haji Wright (Coventry Metropolis/ENG; 9/4)

Data from the Related Press contributed to this report.