Dest, Pomykal among newcomers on US men’s soccer roster
CHICAGO (AP) — Defender Sergiño Dest and midfielder Paxton Pomykal are joining the U.S. national team for the first time, among 26 players on the roster for exhibitions against Mexico and Uruguay.
They part of the U.S. team at this year’s Under-20 World Cup and have gained regular club playing time, Dest with Ajax and Pomykal with Dallas.
Defender Miles Robinson and goalkeeper Jesse Gonzalez, both seeking their national team debuts, also are on the roster announced Wednesday.
Goalkeeper Brad Guzan returns for the first time since November 2018 and midfielder Alfredo Morales for the first time since May 2016.
Defender Matt Miazga was left off after getting hurt Saturday during Reading’s game against Huddersfield. Lille midfielder Tim Weah also is injured, and Newcastle defender DeAndre Yedlin and RB Leipzig midfielder Tyler Adams are still recovering from injuries that caused them to miss the CONCACAF Gold Cup last summer.
Defender John Brooks is back after missing the Gold Cup because of an injured knee ligament,
Coach Gregg Berhalter omitted Toronto forward Jozy Altidore and midfielder Michael Bradley, who have a pair of club matches during the international fixture window. Berhalter selected 15 of his 23 Gold Cup players.
The U.S. plays Mexico on Sept. 6 at East Rutherford, New Jersey, and Uruguay four days later at St. Louis. Josh Sargent, a 19-year-old forward from O’Fallon, Missouri, is among the selections after getting cut ahead of the Gold Cup.
Christian Pulisic, in his first season with Chelsea, was listed as a forward rather than a midfielder.
The roster:
Goalkeepers: Jesse Gonzalez (Dallas), Brad Guzan (Atlanta), Sean Johnson (New York City), Zack Steffen (Fortuna Duesseldorf, Germany)
Defenders: John Brooks (Wolfsburg, Germany), Reggie Cannon (Dallas), Sergiño Dest (Ajax, Netherlands), Nick Lima (San Jose), Aaron Long (New York Red Bulls), Daniel Lovitz (Montreal) Tim Ream (Fulham, England), Miles Robinson (Atlanta), Walker Zimmerman (LA)
Midfielders: Sebastian Lletget (LA Galaxy), Weston McKennie (Schalke, Germany), Alfredo Morales (Fortuna Duesseldorf, Germany), Paxton Pomykal (Dallas), Cristian Roldan (Seattle), Wil Trapp (Columbus), Jackson Yueill (San Jose)
Forwards: Corey Baird (Salt Lake), Tyler Boyd (Besiktas, Turkey), Jordan Morris (Seattle), Christian Pulisic (Chelsea, England), Josh Sargent (Werder Bremen, Germany), Gyasi Zardes (Columbus)
___
More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/apf-Soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
