Los Angeles (United States) (AFP) – United States coach Mauricio Pochettino on Wednesday recalled Christian Pulisic and Folarin Balogun alongside several promising young stars in his squad for the upcoming CONCACAF Nations League quarter-finals against Haiti. Neither Pulisic nor Balogun have played for the US since suffering injuries at this summer’s World Cup and subsequently missed the start of their club seasons with AC Milan and Monaco respectively. Pulisic fractured his leg during the United States’ round-of-16 World Cup loss to Belgium. Striker Balogun — who was at the heart of a controversy when his ban for a red card during the World Cup was suspended following President Donald Trump’s intervention — sustained a knee injury and was embroiled in a complicated transfer saga.
“I think Balo, it’s a great opportunity to keep helping him to evolve after a tough summer, after the World Cup,” said Pochettino. “Happy to see again Balo because I think after the World Cup, we have the possibility to see, and it is a great opportunity for him to keep improving in his confidence.” For the clashes with Haiti on November 14 and 17, the national team mainstays will be joined by a raft of youngsters including Justin Ellis, 19, and Julian Hall, 18. Both made their debuts and scored during the United States’ international window in September and October, in which Pochettino’s youthful roster won all four games against Peru, Chile, Mexico, and Canada.
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“I think it’s a great opportunity for different players now, and for a different roster than was in the last camp, to have the possibility to mix younger with experienced players,” said Pochettino. “The combination in between Balogun, Ellis, and Hall I think is perfect,” he added. Seventeen-year-olds Cavan Sullivan and Mathis Albert are also among the attacking options in Pochettino’s squad. Meanwhile, 21-year-old Santiago Castaneda, a US-Colombian midfielder who plays for German club SC Paderborn, earned his first international senior call-up.
The ‘away’ leg of the quarter-finals will take place in Miami, Florida on November 14, followed by the home leg three days later in Cincinnati, Ohio. The US won the first three CONCACAF Nations League tournaments, between 2021-2024, but suffered an embarrassing semi-final defeat to Panama in last year’s edition.
**Squad:**
– **Goalkeepers:** Matt Freese (New York City), Diego Kochen (Lyngby Boldklub/DEN), Brian Schwake (Nashville SC)
– **Defenders:** Reed Baker-Whiting (Nashville SC), George Campbell (West Bromwich Albion /ENG), Sergino Dest (PSV Eindhoven/NED), Alex Freeman (Villarreal/ESP), Neil Pierre (Philadelphia Union), Bryan Reynolds (Stade Rennais/FRA), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace/ENG), Antonee Robinson (Fulham/ENG), Auston Trusty (Celtic/SCO)
– **Midfielders:** Tyler Adams (AFC Bournemouth/ENG), Mathis Albert (Borussia Dortmund/GER), Sebastian Berhalter (Middlesbrough/ENG), Santiago Castañeda (SC Paderborn/GER), Weston McKennie (Juventus/ITA), Adri Mehmeti (Red Bull New York), Gio Reyna (RC Strasbourg Alsace/FRA), Malik Tillman (Bayer Leverkusen/GER)
– **Forwards:** Folarin Balogun (Monaco/FRA), Justin Ellis (Orlando City SC), Julian Hall (Red Bull New York), Christian Pulisic (AC Milan/ITA), Cavan Sullivan (Philadelphia Union)
© 2024 AFP
