Significant Absences in the United States National Team for the Gold Cup
Forward Folarin Balogun will miss the Concacaf Gold Cup due to an ankle injury. This absence adds to a list of significant absences in the United States national team, which was already facing significant challenges.
In addition to Balogun, coach Mauricio Pochettino announced the exclusion of two other players on Sunday, increasing the difficulties for the American team.
- Christian Pulisic
- Weston McKennie
- Timothy Weah
- Antonee Robinson
- Yunus Musah
- Giovanni Reyna
In contrast, the technical staff incorporated Walker Zimmerman and Nathan Harriel in defense, along with forward Paxten Aaronson.
Four changes have been made compared to the group of 27 players announced on May 22. Patrick Schulte, goalkeeper, suffered an oblique injury and was replaced by Chris Brady on Wednesday.
Paxten Aaronson, 21, joins his brother Brenden, 24, in the call-up, and they could play together for the first time in the national team. Paxten’s only appearance with the US national team was in a friendly against Colombia in January 2023. Harriel is one of seven players who could debut for the United States, along with Brady, goalkeeper Matt Freese, right-back Alex Freeman, midfielder Sebastian Berhalter, midfielder/winger Quinn Sullivan, and forward Damion Downs.The United States seeks to recover after unconvincing performances in last year’s Copa América and the Concacaf Nations League in March. This will be the last extensive training camp during a FIFA match period before players focus on next year’s World Cup.
The players began arriving on Sunday to train in Chicago. The Americans have friendly matches against Turkey on June 7 in East Hartford, Connecticut, and against Switzerland three days later in Nashville, Tennessee, before facing Trinidad and Tobago, Saudi Arabia, and Haiti in the first round of the Gold Cup.
Full United States Call
Goalkeepers: Chris Brady (Chicago), Matt Freese (New York City), Zack Steffen (Colorado), Matt Turner (Crystal Palace)
Defenders: Max Arfsten (Columbus), Sergiño Dest (PSV Eindhoven), Alex Freeman (Orlando), Mark McKenzie (Toulouse), Tim Ream (Charlotte), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace), Miles Robinson (Cincinnati), Walker Zimmerman (Nashville)
Midfielders: Brenden Aaronson (Leeds), Tyler Adams (Bournemouth), Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver), Johnny Cardoso (Real Betis), Luca de la Torre (San Diego), Diego Luna (Salt Lake), Jack McGlynn (Houston), Quinn Sullivan (Philadelphia), Malik Tillman (PSV Eindhoven)
Forwards: Paxton Aaronson (Utrecht), Patrick Agyemang (Charlotte), Folarin Balogun (Monaco), Damion Downs (Cologne), Brian White (Vancouver), Haji Wright (Coventry)
