For Mauricio Pochettino, the final days before sending out invitations to Team USA's final training camp in 2025 involve monitoring candidates scattered across Europe and MLS. After more than a year of work, Pochettino has formed his squad and, barring injury or other circumstances, he has a good idea of who belongs on the roster.
Ah, those nasty injuries.
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The final weekend before Thursday's squad announcement brought the usual mix of encouraging performances, injury absences and other elements that are sure to influence his decisions.
Midfielder Tyler Adams He entered several categories on Sunday with his first Premier League goal in four seasons before leaving Bournemouth in a 3-1 defeat to Manchester City in the 80th minute after taking a knock to the knee. (Listen closely, you may have heard Pochettino gasping!)
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Judging by reports in EnglandAdams, however, was not seriously injured and appears set to report to the U.S. camp next Monday in Philadelphia. However, Bournemouth will first assess Adams' condition ahead of Sunday's clash with Aston Villa.
Adams missed October camp to be with his pregnant wife. The next meeting in the US will not take place until the end of March. Suffice it to say, preparations for the World Cup are in full swing, and Pochettino would love to see Adams on the field against Paraguay on November 15 in Chester, Pennsylvania, and Uruguay on November 18 in Tampa.
With that in mind, here's a closer look at the lineup after the weekend:
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Injuries
All signs point to Christian Pulisic missed training camp to regain strength and fitness after missing four matches against Milan after injuring his right hamstring in the USA's friendly against Australia on October 14.
Pulisic was unfit on Sunday against Roma but could return on Saturday at Parma. Despite this, Milan prefer him to miss the national team – and It is reported that Pochettino agree.
Left back Anthony RobinsonThe player's continued absence from Fulham due to a knee problem remains ominous, with little hope of a return to the US next week. It's been almost a year since he last played for the national team.
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Although he missed his second match in a row against Olympique Marseille, the winger Tim Weah should resume training this week. Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Malik Tillman is in a similar race against time after recovering from a hamstring injury suffered at a US camp last month.
Alex ZendejasThe promising striker for Mexican Club América missed his third straight Liga MX match and appears unlikely to be ready for the US.
Central defender Mark McKenzie was suspended from the Toulouse match in France with what is believed to be a minor leg injury.
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Goal scorers
Besides Adams, Max Arfsten scored the first goal, added an assist and received rave reviews for his performance in the Columbus Crew's 4-0 rout of 10-man Cincinnati in the second leg of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals. With Robinson's future uncertain, Arfsten will likely remain atop the US depth chart.
Ricardo Pepisuper sub for PSV Eindhoven, scored his second goal in three matches in a 5-2 win over Fortuna Sittard. Pepi has not played for PSV since September 21 but continues to push for not only a greater role at his club, but also his first call-up to the US in a year.
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Early exit
Tanner TessmannThe day against Olympique Lyonnais ended after just 15 minutes, not because of injury, but because his team had to make tactical changes after the red card. The midfielder was partly to blame for his teammate's sending off, as he made a weak pass that led to the incident.
Up to date again?
Apart from Pepi, other names are again emerging for a possible call-up, most notably his PSV teammate. Serginho Dest. The right-back, who was pulled out of the October camp due to workload following a cruciate ligament repair, has started all 10 league games.
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Pochettino also received good news about the Atletico Madrid midfielder. Johnny Cardosowho last weekend was fit for the first time since mid-September, when an ankle injury sidelined him. However, Cardoso has long struggled to find his form with the national team, and even at full strength he is not a reliable candidate for a role on Team USA.
Fading
Three members of the 2022 World Cup squad have a strong chance of returning to Team USA after being left out of the squad last month and continuing to compete for their clubs.
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Norwich City striker Josh Sargent went scoreless again, extending his goal drought to 10 appearances for club and country since his six-game hitting streak.
Despite the midfielder moving on to greener pastures this summer, Yunus Musa has not played for the Italian Atalanta since October 4 and has not appeared in the starting lineup since September 17.
The same disappointment happened with the forward. Gio Reynawho made another late appearance for German club Monchengladbach, but has not started since 14 September.
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End of the season
While American players overseas are at the start of the season, MLS players are beginning to enter the off-season. With MLS not resuming until the end of February, Pochettino would like his domestic candidates to extend their current campaigns. Most have.
However, elimination from the playoffs nearly two weeks ago took the U.S. regulars out of the game. Alex Freeman (Orlando City) and Diego Luna (Real Salt Lake). Goalkeeper Matt TurnerNew England didn't even make the playoffs. Since it's only been a few weeks, everything should be fine in the American camp.
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And here's the twist, the only one in MLS: because Sebastian Berhalter and the Vancouver Whitecaps were so successful in the playoffs that they won't play again for three weeks. (Berhalter was not invited to the October camp, but remains on Pochettino's radar.)
Vancouver beat Dallas on Saturday, meaning there won't be a third game this weekend. Then comes the international break. Therefore, the Whitecaps will not play until November 22-23.
It's part of the puzzle Pochettino is trying to solve before each of these increasingly important training camps leading up to the World Cup.
