With the United States set to host the 2026 World Cup with Mexico and Canada, the opportunities for competitive games will be few and far between. Thus the CONCACAF Nations League takes on added significance. Unfortunately, the USMNT still does not have a full-time manager. Based on what US Soccer has said of late, it may not have one through the summer.
However, interim boss Anthony Hudson appears to be taking the job as seriously as he can. The roster he has called in for this pair of Nations League games certainly reflects that. The first chance to preview what Anthony Hudson can do with that squad is when the USA travels to Grenada.
US Roster
The roster of players called in for this camp is a very strong one with mostly World Cup players on it. Yet, no call-up has received more scrutiny than that of Gio Reyna. Such was the drama caused by the feud between Reyna’s parents Claudio and Danielle and Gregg Berhalter. It led to speculation that his national team career was over before it had even really begun. Regardless, he’s back and hopefully all parties involved can move on.
The rest of the roster is fairly stacked. In goal are Matt Turner, Ethan Horvath, and Zack Steffen. Five of the eight defenders have double digit caps. Those are Tim Ream, Antonee Robinson, Sergiño Dest, Miles Robinson and Mark McKenzie. Weston McKennie is back in the midfield and up front Christian Pulisic is the star attraction. Ricardo Pepi makes his return after being left off the plane to Qatar and Alejandro Zendejas appears ready to pick the US over Mexico.
A couple of the major misses are Tyler Adams and Tim Weah, who both miss out due to injury.
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A Grenada preview for the USA
Grenada currently sit third in the three-team Group D. As a result, the nation cannot qualify for the Gold Cup. In its three games, they have no wins and one draw. Their run of form coming into this game is not good, either. In their last twelve games, Grenada has just two wins.
Curiously, they have appointed Mohammad Kwid from Syria as their manager. Most of the players on the roster are domestic based with a few exceptions. Kayden Harrack plays for Queens Park Rangers in England. Two of their players ply their trade with the Charleston Battery of the USL: Benjamin Etienne and AJ Paterson.
This presents an opportunity for the United States to rediscover some of its scoring touch. The last time the Stars and Stripes scored multiple goals in a game was the last time it played Grenada. That was in June of 2022. Also, the United States has just two wins in its last nine outings dating back to that same time. In four previous matches against Grenada, though, the United States has won all four times. That includes a 5-0 thrashing last time the two played in Austin for the reverse leg of this Nations League tie.
Game information
This matchday four clash in the Nations League is live on TNT and Universo, as part of the US Soccer deal with Warner Bros. Discovery. You can also stream the game on Peacock in Spanish. It is happening at Kirani James National Stadium in St. George’s, Grenada. Kickoff is scheduled for Friday, March 24 and 8 p.m. ET.
After this game, the USMNT returns home to Orlando to wrap up the Nations League group stage. It welcomes El Salvador, which drew with the US in San Salvador on June 14, 2022. That game is at Exploria Stadium at 7:30 p.m. ET on Monday, March 27. Coverage is available on TNT and Universo, just like Friday night’s Grenada game.
PHOTO: IMAGO / ANP
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