Mauricio Pochettino’s eagerly awaited debut as the U.S. national team coach will be marred by a trio of injuries. Key players Tim Weah, Folarin Balogun, and Johnny Cardoso will miss the upcoming friendlies against Panama and Mexico.
Weah, who has been sidelined since September 21st with an ankle injury, has yet to return to action for Juventus. Balogun, the hero of Monaco’s recent victory over Rennes in Ligue 1, sustained a shoulder injury during the match. He scored the go-ahead goal in the 22nd minute before leaving the game in the 64th. Cardoso’s injury occurred during Real Betis’ Europa Conference League match against Legia Warsaw on Thursday, forcing him off the field in the 66th minute.
To compensate for these absences, coach Pochettino has called up three new players to the roster: Brandon Vazquez, Alex Zendejas, and Tanner Tessmann. The U.S. will take on Panama in Austin, Texas on Saturday, followed by a clash with Mexico in Guadalajara three days later. These friendlies will mark the start of a new era for the U.S. national team under the direction of Pochettino, and fans will be eager to see how the team performs in these crucial matches, despite the challenges posed by injuries.
