WORLD CUP 2022
Qatar World Cup 2022: USMNT national team roster | Selected players and omissions
USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter named his 2022 World Cup roster earlier in November, with Zack Steffen, Ricardo Pepi and Haji Wright the main protagonists
It was rumoured in the days leading up to the USMNT’s roster reveal that goalkeeper Steffen, on loan at English Championship side Middlesbrough from Manchester City, would not be included by Berhalter and so it proved as Arsenal’s Matt Turner, Ethan Horvath of Luton Town and New York City FC’s Sean Johnson were selected as the three shot-stoppers.
“We feel really good with the three goalkeepers on the roster,” said Berhalter when asked about Steffen’s absence. “We’re comfortable in that area. The lean is towards Matt Turner being the number one. We’re going to see how he is after his recent injury.”
Berhalt’s defensive selections were affected by injuries to Miles Robinson, Chris Richards and, to a much lesser extent, Sam Vines. Cameron Carter-Vickers, Aaron Long, and recalled veteran Tim Ream will hope to be given the nod to partner Walker Zimmerman in central defence.
In midfield, Weston McKennie and Luca de la Torre are both included despite their recent fitness problems. The Juventus midfielder was happy to reassure fans that he would be ready in time to play against Wales in the US’ first game: “I’m feeling good, my recovery is going well. I’m trying to make sure I’m 100% when it’s time to play the first match. It’ll be a quicker recovery than expected.”
With no real stand-out strikers to choose from, that was perhaps the area where there was the least amount of certainty. 49-cap Jordan Morris, who has recovered from two ACL injuries in his career, is in, as is young Jesús Ferreira. But perhaps the biggest surprise was the inclusion of Haji Wright of Turkish side Antalyaspor, who has netted nine times in 12 league games this season and will go to Qatar at the expense of Ricardo Pepi, who started eight times in World Cup qualifying, and Jordan Pefok. “This is a different World Cup, you don’t have a month to get ready. We thought Haji Wright was in the best form right now.
Full USMNT 2022 World Cup roster
Goalkeepers
Ethan Horvath (Luton Town), Sean Johnson (New York City FC), Matt Turner (Arsenal)
Defenders
- Cameron Carter-Vickers (Celtic, SCO)
- Sergiño Dest (AC Milan, ITA)
- Aaron Long (New York Red Bulls)
- Shaq Moore (Nashville SC)
- Tim Ream (Fulham, ENG)
- Antonee Robinson (Fulham, ENG)
- Joe Scally (Borussia Mönchengladbach, GER)
- DeAndre Yedlin (Inter Miami)
- Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC)
Midfielders
- Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United, ENG)
- Kellyn Acosta (New York City FC)
- Tyler Adams (Leeds United, ENG)
- Luca de la Torre (Celta Vigo, SPA)
- Weston McKennie (Juventus, ITA)
- Yunus Musah (Valencia, SPA)
- Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders)
Forwards
- Jesús Ferreira (FC Dallas)
- Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders)
- Christian Pulisic (Chelsea, ENG)
- Gio Reyna (Borussia Dortmund, GER)
- Josh Sargent (Norwich City, ENG)
- Tim Weah (Lille, FRA)
- Haji Wright (Antalyaspor, TUR)
USMNT World Cup schedule
November 21 (Monday):
2:00 pm ET USMNT-Wales
November 25 (Friday):
2:00 pm ET USMNT v England
November 29 (Tuesday):
USMNT v Iran