Trending Now - USMNT Prepares for Crucial Friendlies as Player Moves Loom

WHO:

Mauricio Pochettino, head coach of the United States men's national team (USMNT)

Tyler Adams, AFC Bournemouth midfielder

Haji Wright, Coventry City forward

Diego Luna, Real Salt Lake midfielder

Johnny Cardoso, Atlético Madrid midfielder

Gio Reyna, Borussia Mönchengladbach midfielder

Ricardo Pepi, PSV Eindhoven forward

Antonee Robinson, Fulham defender

Patrick Agyemang, Derby County forward

Folarin Balogun, AS Monaco forward

Cristian Roldan, Seattle Sounders FC midfielder

Tanner Tessmann, Olympique Lyon midfielder

Malik Tillman, Bayer Leverkusen midfielder

Christian Pulisic, AC Milan attacker

Weston McKennie, Juventus midfielder

Chris Richards, Crystal Palace center back

Sebastian Berhalter, Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder

Aidan Morris, Middlesbrough midfielder

Patrick Agyemang, Derby County forward

Folarin Balogun, AS Monaco forward

Johnny Cardoso, Atlético Madrid midfielder

Gio Reyna, Borussia Mönchengladbach midfielder

Antonee Robinson, Fulham defender

Diego Luna, Real Salt Lake midfielder

Tyler Adams, AFC Bournemouth midfielder

Haji Wright, Coventry City forward

Sergiño Dest, PSV Eindhoven defender

Ricardo Pepi, United States men's national team forward

Mauricio Pochettino, head coach of USMNT

Andoni Iraola, AFC Bournemouth manager

Frank Lampard, Coventry City manager

Mauricio Pochettino, head coach of USMNT, stated, "We must treat these games like they are a part of the World Cup, and what is most important is that the players bring the right mentality and commitment to the group."

Tyler Adams, AFC Bournemouth midfielder, is expected to miss "two to three weeks" with a quad injury.

Haji Wright, Coventry City forward, was substituted in the 63rd minute of a match against Southampton due to a groin injury.

United States men's national team (USMNT)

Mauricio Pochettino, head coach of USMNT

Christian Pulisic, AC Milan attacker

Weston McKennie, Juventus midfielder

Chris Richards, Crystal Palace center back

Tyler Adams, AFC Bournemouth midfielder

Sebastian Berhalter, Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder

Aidan Morris, Middlesbrough midfielder

Haji Wright, Coventry City forward

Patrick Agyemang, Derby County forward

Sergiño Dest, PSV Eindhoven defender

Johnny Cardoso, Atlético Madrid midfielder

Giovanni Reyna, Borussia Mönchengladbach midfielder

Antonee Robinson, Fulham defender

Folarin Balogun, AS Monaco forward

Ricardo Pepi, PSV Eindhoven forward

Tim Weah, Olympique Marseille forward

Diego Luna, Real Salt Lake midfielder

Andoni Iraola, Bournemouth manager

Frank Lampard, Coventry City manager

WHAT:

Tyler Adams was held out of Bournemouth’s scoreless draw against Burnley due to an undisclosed injury.

Haji Wright was substituted in the 63rd minute of a match against Southampton due to a groin injury.

Diego Luna missed out on the roster due to a knee injury.

Johnny Cardoso returns to the U.S. side for the first time since last summer's Gold Cup.

Ricardo Pepi has recovered from a broken arm sustained in January 2026.

Antonee Robinson returns to the national team for the first time since November 2024.

Gio Reyna has logged a total of 26 minutes playing with Borussia Mönchengladbach since the start of 2026, with no appearances in the last two months.

Pochettino stated, "I think Gio was fantastic in November with us," regarding Reyna's past performances.

The USMNT roster includes 27 players for the March friendlies against Belgium and Portugal.

The matches will take place on March 28th, 2026, at 3:30 PM ET and March 31st, 2026, at 7:00 PM ET.

The matches will be broadcast live on TNT, HBO MAX, Telemundo, Universo, and Peacock.

Pochettino stated, "We have spent the last 18 months developing the player pool so we can be prepared to make the correct decisions for the World Cup roster, and this is another valuable opportunity."

Pepi is close to agreeing to a summer move to Fulham, with an offer of €40 million ($46 million) accepted by PSV Eindhoven.

Pepi has scored 13 goals in 27 appearances in all competitions this season.

Tyler Adams is expected to miss "two to three weeks" with a quad injury.

Haji Wright had scored six goals in six games prior to his groin injury.

Sebastian Berhalter and Aidan Morris were included in the roster due to the absence of Tyler Adams and Haji Wright.

Johnny Cardoso returns to the U.S. side for the first time since last summer's Gold Cup.

Ricardo Pepi has recovered from a broken arm sustained in January 2026.

Antonee Robinson returns to the national team for the first time since November 2024.

USMNT announced a 27-player roster for March friendlies

The team will play against Belgium on March 28th and Portugal on March 31st

Both matches will take place at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta

Players will report to Atlanta on March 22nd

Tyler Adams was excluded from the roster due to an undisclosed injury

Haji Wright is absent due to a groin injury

Sergiño Dest is missing due to a hamstring injury

The roster includes 4 goalkeepers, 9 defenders, 8 midfielders, and 6 forwards

McKennie has 13 goal contributions this season, a career high

Balogun has 14 goals and 4 assists this season

WHERE:

The matches will be held at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.

Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia

WHEN:

The USMNT will face Belgium on March 28th, 2026, at 3:30 PM ET and Portugal on March 31st, 2026, at 7:00 PM ET.

Players will report to Atlanta on March 22nd, 2026.

The last meeting between the USMNT and Portugal was a 1-1 draw on November 14th, 2020.

The USMNT will face Belgium on March 28th, 2026, and Portugal on March 31st, 2026.

March 28th, 2026 - USMNT vs. Belgium

March 31st, 2026 - USMNT vs. Portugal

Players report on March 22nd, 2026

Last summer's Gold Cup - Johnny Cardoso's last appearance

WHY:

Pochettino emphasized the importance of flexibility in player selection, stating, "It's not closed because you can see [injuries] ... the combination and the dynamic of the group can change depending [on] the selection."

Pochettino mentioned that there are no hard-and-fast rules for player selection as he builds the World Cup roster.

Pochettino emphasized the importance of treating the upcoming friendlies as part of the World Cup preparation.

Pochettino aims to prepare the player pool for the World Cup later in 2026

Injuries have affected player availability for the roster

HOW:

The USMNT roster is expected to closely resemble the group that will contest the FIFA World Cup later in 2026.

The move for Pepi is pending a medical examination.

Pochettino is looking to fine-tune personnel and tactics in the last camp before the World Cup roster is named in May 2026.

Pochettino has spent 18 months developing the player pool for the World Cup

Players are selected based on current form and fitness levels

(UPDATED March 18, 2026 03:47 UTC)

In a recent update, U.S. men's national team head coach Mauricio Pochettino announced that Tyler Adams missed Bournemouth's scoreless draw against Burnley due to an undisclosed injury, while Haji Wright was substituted in a match against Southampton because of a groin issue. Pochettino also welcomed back Johnny Cardoso and Ricardo Pepi, who has recovered from a broken arm, as the team prepares for upcoming matches against Belgium on March 28 and Portugal on March 31. The coach emphasized the need for flexibility in player selection as he builds the World Cup roster, stating that the dynamic of the group can change depending on injuries and other factors.

(UPDATED March 18, 2026 01:28 UTC)

The U.S. Men's National Team has announced a roster of 27 players for their upcoming friendlies against Belgium and Portugal, scheduled for March 28 and March 31 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. Matches will be broadcast live on TNT, HBO MAX, Telemundo, Universo, and Peacock, and head coach Pochettino highlighted the significance of these games as crucial preparation for the World Cup. Players will report to Atlanta on March 22, and the last encounter between the USMNT and Portugal ended in a 1-1 draw back in November 2020.

(UPDATED March 17, 2026 23:13 UTC)

In a significant development for U.S. soccer, forward Ricardo Pepi is close to finalizing a summer transfer to Fulham, with PSV Eindhoven accepting an offer of €40 million, which is about $46 million. Meanwhile, head coach Mauricio Pochettino noted the importance of flexibility in player selection as the U.S. men's national team prepares for upcoming matches against Belgium on March 28 and Portugal on March 31, while Tyler Adams is expected to miss two to three weeks due to a quad injury. The move for Pepi is still pending a medical examination, and he has been in impressive form, scoring 13 goals in 27 appearances this season.

(UPDATED March 17, 2026 21:12 UTC)

In a press conference, USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino stressed the need for players to approach upcoming games with the mentality and commitment of a World Cup, especially with Tyler Adams sidelined for two to three weeks due to a quad injury and Haji Wright leaving a match against Southampton with a groin issue. To fill these gaps, Sebastian Berhalter and Aidan Morris have been added to the roster, while Johnny Cardoso makes his return and Ricardo Pepi is back after recovering from a broken arm. Pochettino highlighted the importance of flexibility in player selection, as he aims to fine-tune tactics and personnel in this final camp before the World Cup roster is announced in May.

(UPDATED March 17, 2026 19:28 UTC)

The United States men's national team has announced a 27-player roster for their upcoming friendlies against Belgium on March 28 and Portugal on March 31, both of which will be held at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Notably, Tyler Adams, Haji Wright, and Sergiño Dest will miss the matches due to injuries, while Weston McKennie and Folarin Balogun are having standout seasons with McKennie achieving a career-high 13 goal contributions and Balogun netting 14 goals. Players are set to report to Atlanta on March 22 as head coach Mauricio Pochettino continues to prepare the team for the World Cup later this year.