Team USA manager Gregg Berhalter has named a 27-man training squad as he prepares for Copa America. Captain Christian Pulisic is available for the tournament, along with key players such as Gio Reyna, Weston McKennie, Yunus Musah, and Timothy Weah.
However, there were a few surprise omissions, including Zack Steffen and Jordan Morris. We have broken down the US roster below and discussed how the team might line up at the tournament and for those interested in Copa America betting.
Breaking down the United States’ 27-man Copa America roster
Berhalter named a 27-man roster ahead of pre-tournament friendlies against Colombia and Brazil. He can take 26 players to Copa America, so he will need to cut one player from the current list of 27.
- Goalkeepers: Ethan Horvath (Cardiff City), Sean Johnson (Toronto FC), Matt Turner (Nottingham Forest)
- Defenders: Cameron Carter-Vickers (Celtic), Kristoffer Lund (Palermo), Mark McKenzie (Genk), Shaq Moore (Nashville SC), Tim Ream (Fulham), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace), Antonee Robinson (Fulham), Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati), Joe Scally (Borussia Mönchengladbach)
- Midfielders: Tyler Adams (Bournemouth), Johnny Cardoso (Real Betis), Luca de la Torre (Celta Vigo), Weston McKennie (Juventus), Yunus Musah (AC Milan), Gio Reyna (Nottingham Forest), Malik Tillman (PSV Eindhoven), Timmy Tillman (LAFC)
- Forwards: Brenden Aaronson (Union Berlin), Folarin Balogun (Monaco), Ricardo Pepi (PSV Eindhoven), Christian Pulisic (AC Milan), Josh Sargent (Norwich), Timothy Weah (Juventus), Haji Wright (Coventry)
Berhalter has few major injury concerns right now, so he was able to select many of the key players who represented the US men’s national team at the 2022 World Cup.
All but four members of the squad ply their trade in Europe. The only outliers are Sean Johnson, Shaq Moore, Miles Robinson, and Timothy Tillman. They have all impressed in Major League Soccer this year, and they could secure transfers to European clubs if they flourish at this tournament.
Berhalter has also selected an experienced group of players — every member of the squad has previously represented the USMNT.
Key players left out
Zack Steffen was the USMNT’s first-choice goalkeeper a few years ago, but he did not make this squad. Jordan Morris and Jesús Ferreira are also out, though they have both been in fine form over the past year.
Some other notable absentees from the roster include DeAndre Yedlin, Paul Arriola, Walker Zimmerman, Aaron Long, and Matt Miazga.
The US will also be without PSV Eindhoven full-back Sergiño Dest at Copa America, as he is injured. That is a blow, as Dest is one of the USMNT’s best players, and he offers pace and dynamism in wide areas. Daryl Dike is also out with an Achilles injury.
Projecting the USMNT’s starting 11 for Copa America
Goalkeeper Matt Turner is likely to hold onto his place, despite falling out of favor at Nottingham Forest this season. Berhalter may also select Joe Scally, Tim Ream, Chris Richards, and Antonee Robinson at the back.
The USMNT is blessed with a very strong, energetic midfield. Weston McKennie, Tyler Adams, and Yunus Musah were all excellent at the 2022 World Cup, and there is no reason for Berhalter to disrupt that triumvirate. Folarin Balogun was not particularly prolific for Monaco this season, but the former Arsenal striker is likely to spearhead the attack. Pulisic and Weah could start on the flanks, although Reyna offers another interesting option.
