MLS players have joined the USMNT camp in Cincinnati
The coach of the United States men’s national team, Gregg Berhalter, called up 27 players for the June friendlies and Nations League matches.
The United States men’s national team will return to action next month for friendlies and the start of the CONCACAF Nations League tournament. USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter called in 27 players for the upcoming fixtures and they have all reported to camp in Cincinnati this week.
On Monday the players from Major League Soccer joined the rest of the group for practice ahead of their first friendly against Morocco at TQL stadium on Wednesday night. Then the USMNT will travel to Kansas City to play against Uruguay on June 5 at Children’s Mercy Park, before they start their title defense in the CONCACAF Nations League tournament.
Weston McKennie returns to the USMNT
The good news for Gregg Berhalter is the return of Weston McKennie to the group after missing the last batch of the World Cup qualifiers due to an injury earlier this year. McKennie missed a total of 16 games from club and country when he broke his foot on Feb. 22. The bad news is that players like Sergiño Dest, Gio Reyna and Chris Richards didn’t get called in due to injuries of their own.
Berhalter also said that he decided not to include Gianluca Buso (Venezia FC), Chris Richards (Hoffenheim), Ricardo Pepi (Augsburg FC) and James Sands (Rangers) for the FIFA international break of June because they need some rest. According to Berhalter the trio needed a break from the 18-month season they had, due to the ‘overlap of MLS and European campaigns.’
Following the exhibition matches, the United States will debut in the Nations League campaign on June 10 playing against Grenada at Q2 stadium in Austin, and four days later against El Salvador at Estadio Cuscatlan. The last time they played in El Salvador was for the World Cup qualifiers and the game ended in a scoreless draw.