The U.S. Men’s National Team is set to face Jamaica in the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals, with the return of star players Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie bringing renewed energy to the squad. Head coach Mauricio Pochettino announced the 25-player lineup for the upcoming matches, which will mark his first competitive games in charge since his appointment in September.
Pulisic, currently playing for AC Milan, and McKennie, a standout at Juventus, both missed the recent 2-0 friendly loss to Mexico. Now, the duo will be headlining the two-leg showdown against Jamaica, with high expectations as the U.S. aims to secure a fourth consecutive Concacaf Nations League title.
Forward Tim Weah also rejoins the squad but will sit out the first leg against Jamaica to complete a two-match suspension stemming from a red card incident during the Copa America match against Panama in June. His anticipated return in the second leg will further boost the U.S. team’s offensive capabilities.
One of the notable absentees from the squad is Tyler Adams, the 25-year-old midfielder who has faced a string of injuries this year. Pochettino spoke about Adams’ importance to the team’s future, especially looking ahead to the 2026 World Cup.
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“The most important thing now is to see Adams’ progression,” Pochettino noted, emphasizing the need to carefully manage Adams’ recovery to ensure he returns in top form.
The U.S. squad will first face Jamaica on Thursday at an away match, followed by a home game in St. Louis, Missouri, on November 18. These quarterfinal encounters are expected to test the team’s resilience and tactical acumen under Pochettino’s new leadership, with high hopes for securing a spot in the next stages of the Nations League.
The team’s roster includes a balanced mix of seasoned players and fresh talents across all positions. Here’s a closer look at the full lineup:
- Goalkeepers: Diego Kochen, Patrick Schulte, Zack Steffen, Matt Turner
- Defenders: Mark McKenzie, Tim Ream, Chris Richards, Antonee Robinson, Miles Robinson, Joe Scally, Auston Trusty
- Midfielders: Brenden Aaronson, Gianluca Busio, Johnny Cardoso, Weston McKennie, Aidan Morris, Yunus Musah, Tanner Tessmann, Malik Tillman
- Forwards: Cade Cowell, Ricardo Pepi, Christian Pulisic, Brandon Vazquez, Tim Weah, Alex Zendejas
With Pulisic, McKennie, and other top players returning, the U.S. is focused on taking control of the quarterfinals and pushing for another Nations League title.