Reyna, Berhalter, Zendejas on US World Cup Roster, While Luna and Tessmann Left Off by Pochettino
Tessmann and Luna were left off a 26-man roster as Pochettino leaned on defense, leaving the U.S. with a thinner central midfield.
- On Tuesday, U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino announced his 26-man World Cup roster, including midfielders Gio Reyna and Sebastian Berhalter plus winger Alejandro Zendejas, while midfielders Diego Luna and Tanner Tessmann were left off.
- Tessmann picked up a muscle injury earlier this month, though a source briefed on the injury told the Athletic there was no World Cup concern, yet his form and playing time had dipped at French club Lyon before midfielder Johnny Cardoso's ankle surgery.
- Tyler Adams is now the roster's only defensive-minded midfielder outside MLS, with Weston McKennie's freedom at Juventus constrained if positioned beside Adams in a double-pivot, creating a structural midfield imbalance.
- Pochettino must choose between inserting midfielder Cristian Roldan or Berhalter next to Adams, pulling McKennie into a deeper role, or altering the team's shape—each option carries drawbacks from restricting McKennie's freedom to creating tactical uncertainty.
- The U.S. opens Group D on June 12 against Paraguay at Inglewood, California, with half the roster returning from 2022 including Christian Pulisic, and an average age of 26 years, 332 days—the fifth-youngest for an American World Cup squad.
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The Argentine coach did not want to explain why he left out of the fair world player two players who were part of his process, but said he understood what he suffered from not being summoned.
Gio Reyna, Sebastian Berhalter, Alejandro Zendejas on U.S. World Cup roster, while Diego Luna and Tanner Tessmann left off by Mauricio Pochettino
U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino has announced his 26-man World Cup roster. It includes Gio Reyna and Sebastian Berhalter. Alejandro Zendejas also made the squad, while Diego Luna and Tanner Tessmann were left out in the announcement Tuesday. Sergiño Dest, Tyler…
Alejandro Zendejas will go to the World Cup with the United States. The striker of America, on the 10th, was summoned by the technician Mauricio Pochettino for the World Cup, achievement that the club celebrated. "Zendejas will represent the shirt of the United States Team with pride and passion from next June 11th. "Very successful in what is to come, Eagle! The time is now", published the blue cream club on its social networks. Despite its goo…
Christian Pulisic headlines official USMNT World Cup roster as Diego Luna, Tanner Tessman left out
USMNT 2026 FIFA World Cup roster was revealed, featuring Christian Pulisic and Chris Brady. Diego Luna and Tanner Tessman were among the key snubs from the 26-man squad.
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