Christian Pulisic has impressed as a member of Borussia Dortmund and the U.S. Under-17 Men’s National Team, but the 17-year-old playmaker is now set to make the jump to the highest level to join a team in need of a result.
U.S. Soccer announced on Sunday that Pulisic and Graham Zusi have been added to the U.S. Men’s National Team squad ahead of Tuesday’s World Cup qualifying clash with Guatemala in Columbus. In addition, Fabian Johnson and Matt Besler have each returned to their clubs due to a groin injury and concussion, respectively. The pair join John Brooks, who left camp last week with a knee injury.
The clash between the U.S. and Guatemala serves as the second in four days after the Chapines picked up a 2-0 win in Guatemala on Friday night.
Pulisic joins the USMNT after breaking into the Borussia Dortmund’s first team earlier this season. The 17-year-old prospect, who stood out at last year’s U-17 World Cup, has made four Bundesliga appearances for the German powerhouse.
Zusi joins the USMNT for the first time since the UMSNT’s defeat to Panama in the third-place match of the 2015 Gold Cup.
Here’s a closer look at the full USMNT roster for Tuesday’s match:
GOALKEEPERS: David Bingham (San Jose Earthquakes), Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton), William Yarbrough (Club Leon)
DEFENDERS: Ventura Alvarado (Club America), Steve Birnbaum (D.C. United), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City), Edgar Castillo (Club Tijuana), Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy), Michael Orozco (Club Tijuana), DeAndre Yedlin (Sunderland)
MIDFIELDERS: Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Alejandro Bedoya (Nantes), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), Mix Diskerud (New York City FC), Ethan Finlay (Columbus Crew SC), Darlington Nagbe (Portland Timbers), Lee Nguyen (New England Revolution), Christian Pulisic (Borussia Dortmund), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City).
FORWARDS: Jozy Altidore (Toronto FC), Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders FC), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes), Bobby Wood (Union Berlin), Gyasi Zardes (LA Galaxy)
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What do you think of Pulisic’s call-up? Expect him to contribute on Tuesday? How will the USMNT fare against Guatemala?
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