These several players have been added to the roster for the Concacaf Nations League games with Canada Nov. 15 in Orlando and Cuba Nov. 19 in the Cayamans. Those at the top of this list would be European based players, Christian Pulisic & Weston McKenie. Should Sergino Dest see time, he would then be cap tied to the team, so expect him to take the field. For just $25, tickets on ticketmaster, groups of 20 and up may go to ussoccer.com and game day at the door of Exploria Stadium are a great value. Pre camp included 20 players in Bradenton as many MLS players are already free. As stated in previoius posts, following a week in Bradenton, they will be off to Orlando, that being Sunday. Come Monday, the final list of players for this pair of vital games will be released.
Berhalter stated "We are happy to be able to call on this core group of players. They have been performing well for their clubs. We will be ready." Well coach, I hope so if not you are out of the games and your position might be hurt a bit for the rankings and World Cup qualifiers, but not eliminated. 5 of this group, the aforementioned McKennie, ex NYCFC player Jonathan Lewis, Brenden Aaronson, Djordie Mihailovic and Jeremy Ebobisse leave the camp this week for U-23 play and prep for the Concacaf Olympic Qualifying Championship in the spring. Nov. 7-17 they link up with Argentina, Brazil & Chile in the Canaray Islands. A great test with such strong opposition. To reach the knockout stages of the League, the USMNT must win both games and gain 3 goals on Canada, so beating up on Cuba again may very well be imperitive as the US looked like anything but capable in facing Canada, here's hoping these European based players may be able to turn this around.
Pulisic has been on fire of late with Chelsea, with 4 goals and an assist in his last 5 games, he must be brimming with confidence. He is now the youngest player in team lore to net hat trick as he did in facing Burnley just days after getting an assit in UEFA play with Ajax. He also struck for the GWG against Watford, all these points were secured at away games. He even drew a penalty that lead to the 2nd goal in his sides 4-4 tying of Ajax.
Dest, who of late verbally comitted to the USMNT, had already worn the colors at the U-17 & U-20 World Cups, his caps for the senior team have been in friendlies, but any time here would have him as mentioned, cap tied to the USMNT. With his AJax, he has held down the right back position with 15 games in league and UEFA play, garnering 3 assists overall.
McKennie and his fastest ever in the USMNT history hat trick to start a game in the previous Cuba game, the first at 32 seconds is 2nd only to Clint Dempsey v Ghana in the 2014 World Cup. He also struck in the 5' & 13', this leaves him tied with Junior Hollett of Canada, Jose Juan Macias of Mexico and Bermuda's Najki Wells, for the lead in this competition .