Ten World Cup veterans, including AC Milan defender Sergino Dest, highlight the 23-player roster named by U.S. men's national team interim manager Anthony Hudson to face Mexico in Glendale, Arizona, on April 19.
"We are delighted with the group we have put together. Anytime you get to play against your closest rivals it's a special opportunity, and we have players who understand what this rivalry is all about and are ready to compete," Hudson said. "It's another chance to build on the progress we have made in the last four years and prepare for the defense of our two CONCACAF titles this summer."
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Since the game falls outside of an official FIFA match window, teams are not required to release players to the national team. For that reason, the bulk of the roster comprises MLS players, including Nashville SC defender Walker Zimmerman and LAFC midfielder Kellyn Acosta.
Dest's availability came about after conversations with Hudson and AC Milan.
"It's one of those unique situations," Hudson told the media after the roster announcement. "The way we select the next two or three squads, there's gonna be all these unique situations with players. And Sergino, first of all, we're so grateful to the club for allowing him to come to this game and play against Mexico.
"Serge is someone who's done great for us. It was great, the World Cup. We love having him around the team. And not only that, he wants to come and he wants to play in the game. And so we've had some really good conversations with Sergino, and again, the club have been great to allow him to come. So there's all these unique one-off situations where, with relationships, with conversations, we're able to get players outside of a window like this."
Club America midfielder Alejandro Zendejas was among those not released by their clubs. LAFC midfielder Timothy Tillman, who has delivered some outstanding performances for LAFC this season, is currently not eligible to play for the U.S., as he still needs to file a one-time change of association from Germany with FIFA.
In addition to Dest, FC Juarez midfielder Alan Sonora and 17-year-old Louisville City defender Joshua Wynder are on the roster from non-MLS teams.
The roster also includes some relatively inexperienced players at international level, with 10 players having made fewer than 10 international appearances. Uncapped players include Wynder, Inter Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender, FC Cincinnati goalkeeper Roman Celentano and Atlanta United defender Caleb Wiley.
"I think it's good to have a mix of experience, and the guys we brought in, the younger guys, have been doing really well," Hudson said. "There's also other young players that had a claim to come in as well in this camp.
"But again, like always, it's a balancing act with the Under-20 World Cup coming up and making sure that we get the right mix of players."
Asked about Wynder and Wiley specifically, Hudson responded: "Both Josh and Caleb have been doing a really, really good job.
"With Josh, he's someone that [has] high potential. We rate this player. He's getting a lot of interest from Europe. And without saying too much about him, he's a high potential, but he's also got a lot of work to do. So we're glad he's coming in and will experience the men's national team environment, experience a game like this. That will help him going forward. And potentially he could be in with a shout over the summer beyond the U20 World Cup.
"With Caleb, same thing. He's been doing really well, really pleased with his progress. He's a player that we've known for a while now. And he's been doing well and, who knows, he could play a part in this game. But just the fact that he's coming in and he's gonna be around experienced players and to experience a game like this is going to help him immensely going forward."
The match will mark the 75th time that the two longtime rivals have squared off. Mexico leads the series with a 36-22-16 record dating back to 1934. The U.S. holds a 17-9-7 advantage since 2000, and it is unbeaten in its past four encounters with El Tri, including triumphs in the 2021 CONCACAF Nations League and the 2021 Gold Cup.
USMNT ROSTER BY POSITION (Club/Country; Caps/Goals)
GOALKEEPERS (3): Drake Callender (Inter Miami; 0/0), Roman Celentano (FC Cincinnati; 0/0), Sean Johnson (Toronto FC/CAN; 11/0)
DEFENDERS (9): Sergino Dest (AC Milan/ITA; 24/2), Aaron Long (LAFC; 31/3), Julian Gressel (Vancouver Whitecaps/CAN; 2/0), Matt Miazga (FC Cincinnati; 22/1), Shaq Moore (Nashville SC; 17/1), Caleb Wiley (Atlanta United; 0/0), Joshua Wynder (Louisville City; 0/0), DeAndre Yedlin (Inter Miami; 77/0), Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC; 39/3)
MIDFIELDERS (6): Kellyn Acosta (LAFC; 57/2), Aidan Morris (Columbus Crew; 2/0), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders; 32/0), James Sands (New York City FC; 7/0), Alan Soñora (FC Juárez/MEX; 2/0), Jackson Yueill (San Jose Earthquakes; 16/0)
FORWARDS (5): Paul Arriola (FC Dallas; 50/10), Cade Cowell (San Jose Earthquakes; 2/0), Jesús Ferreira (FC Dallas; 17/7), Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders; 51/11), Brandon Vazquez (FC Cincinnati; 2/1)