Is There a USMNT Injury Crisis? Not Quite, But Coach Pochettino’s List of Injured Stars is Expanding
On Wednesday, Juventus revealed that winger Tim Weah will be sidelined for two weeks due to a hamstring injury, adding him to the list of injured players for the U.S. men’s national team.
Alongside him, several other players are also dealing with short-term injuries, including Milan’s Christian Pulisic (calf), Middlesbrough midfielder Aidan Morris (knee), Norwich City striker Josh Sargent (groin), and forward Haji Wright (ankle). Longer-term injuries include right back Sergiño Dest (ACL, expected return in February) and striker Folarin Balogun (shoulder surgery, expected return in April).
From a broader perspective, U.S. fans should not be overly concerned about these injuries — at least not for the moment. Mauricio Pochettino’s squad does not have a competitive match until the CONCACAF Nations League semifinal against Panama on March 20, which is three months away. This provides ample time for Weah, Pulisic, Morris, Sargent, Wright, and potentially even Dest to recover and regain their form.
Maintaining player fitness for March was Pochettino’s primary request after the November window. “I said, ‘Look, my only advice is look after yourself,’” he mentioned in a post-game conference in St. Louis. “We need to be stronger in March. We need to play the semifinal. But the most important (thing) is to build. We are going to miss (them). We need to be desperate to arrive in March all together.”
While the current injuries are not expected to affect the March games, the number of sidelined players serves as a crucial reminder for Pochettino and the U.S. fanbase regarding the team’s depth.
Injuries are an inherent aspect of sports. Fortunately for the U.S., they managed to remain largely unscathed leading up to the 2022 World Cup, despite significant absences during qualifying, including that of Gio Reyna. Center backs Miles Robinson and Chris Richards were notable omissions during the tournament, but the team had capable replacements ready to step in.
Premier League veteran Tim Ream returned to the squad and has emerged as a key leader since joining the starting lineup for the World Cup opener against Wales. Nashville center back Walker Zimmerman and Celtic center back Cameron Carter-Vickers also performed well in Qatar.
World Cup stalwart Tim Ream in action against Mexico in October (Manuel Velasquez Figueroa / USSF / Getty Images for USSF)
Interestingly, strengthening the center back position is a priority for Pochettino as the team embarks on the 2026 cycle. The aim heading into January camp is to identify players who can bolster competition among regulars.
Several players have seized opportunities under Pochettino following absences in the first two windows of his management.
Tanner Tessmann, who recently transferred from Venezia in Serie A to Lyon in Ligue 1, earned a starting role during the November window and performed admirably in victories over Jamaica. Right back Joe Scally continues to demonstrate that he deserves a chance to compete with Dest. Forward Ricardo Pepi found the net in both legs of the Nations League quarterfinal against Jamaica and is in top form for PSV as he aims to ascend the depth chart, especially with Balogun and Sargent sidelined. Center back Mark McKenzie has also capitalized on his chances as a starter this fall.
Pochettino is likely to seek out players such as Club America’s Alejandro Zendejas, Monterrey’s Brandon Vazquez, and other MLS players to make their case for inclusion in the March camp, especially given the potential injuries to other key players. These injuries could also invite fresh talent from European clubs and influence where Pochettino and his coaching staff direct their recruitment efforts concerning dual nationals.
While it may be three months until meaningful matches resume, the current injuries highlight the significance of long-term planning.
(Top photo: Marco Bertorello / AFP via Getty Images)
