Mauricio Pochettino’s U.S. roster announcement Tuesday for the final camp before his World Cup decisions in May was notable for both five absences and one presence.
Midfielders Tyler Adams and Diego Luna, striker Haji Wright and right back Sergiño Dest were sure bets for the 27-man squad until injuries ruled them out. Center back Noahkai Banks, a dual national with second thoughts about committing to the U.S. program, was also missing from Pochettino’s list for heavyweight friendlies in Atlanta against Belgium on March 28 and Portugal on March 31.
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The semi-surprising call-up is enigmatic midfielder Gio Reyna, who, since a strong U.S. performance in November, has played sparingly for his German club in 2026.
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Almost all other selections were expected for the nine-day camp opening Monday in Greater Atlanta.
“We have spent the last 18 months developing the player pool so we can be prepared to make the correct decisions for the World Cup roster, and this is another valuable opportunity,” Pochettino said in a written statement. “We must treat these games like they are a part of the World Cup, and what is most important is that the players bring the right mentality and commitment to the group.”
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Pochettino is scheduled to answer reporters’ questions midday Tuesday.
Adams, the 2022 World Cup captain, will miss his third consecutive camp after stepping away for the birth of a second child in October and a head injury in November.
After recovering from a knee injury this winter, he started three straight Premier League matches for Bournemouth before sitting out Saturday because of “discomfort” experienced in training. It does not seem to be a serious injury, but as a precaution, Pochettino decided to let him rehab at home.
Wright, a 2022 World Cup scorer, is the second-leading scorer in the second-tier English Championship with 16 goals, including six in his past six appearances. On Saturday, however, he suffered a second-half groin injury and left Coventry City’s match against Southampton.
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Wright’s absence creates opportunities for Patrick Agyemang, who, in his first season overseas, has scored 10 goals for Derby County in the English Championship, and for PSV Eindhoven’s Ricardo Pepi, who has regained his scoring touch after recovering from a forearm fracture.
Gio Reyna is back with the USMNT for March friendlies after a stop-start stretch with his German club in 2026.
(Xinhua News Agency via Getty Images)
Dest’s hamstring injury March 7 will sideline him six to eight weeks, sources told Yahoo Sports.
Luna’s absence is another notable one. The 21-year-old midfielder recently returned from a knee injury and has begun ramping back up with Real Salt Lake, but it seems the March window comes too soon for him to factor into this camp.
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Banks, 19, was in U.S. camp in September — he didn’t play in either friendly — and on pace to debut this month amid a strong season with Bundesliga side Augsburg. But the 6-foot-4 Hawaiian native who has played for multiple U.S. youth squads is also eligible to play for Germany, the country where he has lived most of his life.
This winter, he told Sky Sports he had been in contact with both U.S. and German national team coaches and was “torn” about his future.
Though he has never played for the U.S. senior team, Banks would have probably become a starting candidate at the most vulnerable position on the roster. Crystal Palace’s Chris Richards is a sure starter, but Charlotte’s Tim Ream, 38, is past his prime. Toulouse’s Mark McKenzie, Celtic’s Auston Trusty and Cincinnati’s Miles Robinson were invited to this camp.
Reyna, 23, made a triumphant return in November from an eight-month absence, spurring a 2-1 victory over Paraguay and contributing as a sub to a 5-1 rout of Uruguay. He subsequently earned four starts for Mönchengladbach in late 2025. However, an injury sidelined him five matches but since recovering, he has not played. His last appearance was Jan. 17 and he has totaled 28 minutes in two appearances in 2026.
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USMNT roster
Goalkeepers: Chris Brady (Chicago), Roman Celentano (Cincinnati), Matt Freese (New York City), Matt Turner (New England).
Defenders: Max Arfsten (Columbus), Alex Freeman (Villarreal), Mark McKenzie (Toulouse), Tim Ream (Charlotte), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace), Antonee Robinson (Fulham), Miles Robinson (Cincinnati), Joe Scally (Mönchengladbach), Auston Trusty (Celtic).
Midfielders: Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver), Johnny Cardoso (Atlético Madrid), Weston McKennie (Juventus), Aidan Morris (Middlesbrough), Gio Reyna (Mönchengladbach), Cristian Roldan (Seattle), Tanner Tessmann (Olympique Lyonnes), Malik Tillman (Bayer Leverkusen).
Forwards: Brenden Aaronson (Leeds), Patrick Agyemang (Derby County), Folarin Balogun (Monaco), Ricardo Pepi (PSV Eindhoven), Christian Pulisic (AC Milan), Tim Weah (Olympique Marseille).
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