The U.S. Men’s National Team will be down two additional players for its final match of 2018.
Midfielders Weston McKennie and Luca De La Torre have both departed the camp ahead of Tuesday’s friendly against Italy in Genk, Belgium.
NEWS: @WMckennie & Luca de la Torre depart #USMNT camp ahead of 🇺🇸's final match of 2018 vs. Italy. Roster now stands at 24 players. » https://t.co/3Gr06afHtu pic.twitter.com/xx7FH4cbBX
— U.S. Soccer MNT (@USMNT) November 18, 2018
McKennie, who played 76 minutes in the U.S. 3-0 defeat to England last Thursday, has been diagnosed with an injury to his left hamstring tendon. The 20-year-old has returned to Schalke to begin rehabilitation.
As for De La Torre, he has remained in London to return to training with EPL side Fulham. He has yet to appear for the USMNT since his debut against the Republic of Ireland back in June.
Neither player will be replaced on the roster, which stands at 24 players.
Dave Sarachan’s side will seek a positive end to 2018 as they face Italy, another team redeveloping after missing this past summer’s World Cup.
I guess Trap will be the captain again. Is Adams hurt? Wanted to see Adams and Mckinnie play against these teams.
De La Torre’s departure is to be expected given Ranieri’s arrival at Fulham. He needs to be with his club to show what he can do for the new manager.
he’s on their reserve team and was a waste of a callup anyway.
That comment shows just how very little you know about professional soccer. Who do you think determines the roster? How does one move to the first team? Do reserve team members practice with the first team? The answers are as follows the first team manager, impressing the first team managing in training, and yes reserves especially ones who play cup matches for the first team, often train with the full squad.
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The call up of De La Torre is a no brainer, he already lives in London where camp took place, he has represented the US youth teams well in the past (scoring 2 goals in the U20 qualifying tournament, and assisting on 2 at the WC), there is not roster limit cap so he is not taking the spot of anyone.
The idea that someone called up to the NT is not taking up another’s roster spot is laughable. It’s always a competition. Not every field player or keeper gets called. You get the call at someone else’s expense — always. Fulham — a team I am a fan of, but which you presume to lecture me about — is dead last in the EPL and yet he cannot crack the first team. There are probably a dozen Americans within a couple hour’s plane or train in England, who are playing for their first teams, much less people on the continent. The idea of shouting down someone for calling a buried Fulham reserve like they are an idiot is incredible arrogance.
Them leaving him in London says something in case you weren’t paying attention or considering what it all means. You’re acting like I am a moron while he is a healthy cut.
Quick name an American who would break into the line up of Andre Schurrle and Ryan Sessegnon? Anyone not named Pulisic on your list because if so your list is wrong. Quick name who’s 4th in goals scored for Fulham this season? Luca De La Torre! Of course its a tie but wonderkid Sessegnon valued at 35 million pounds also only has one goal. He’s staying in London because the new manager has arrived and he needs to be there to earn a spot. Fulham has been a dumpster fire so far, unable to score or defend, Raneiri is known as a tinkerer so now might be the time for LDT to break in because he is unlikely to continue with the status quo. Raneiri has already hinted at using a pressing style similar to Liverpool, which may fit De La Torre to move into a sub roll with the first team. It is also important because he needs to be evaluated by Raneiri with the January window fast approaching because if he isn’t in the plans this season he needs to find a loan option.
dLT is playing in EPL2, not with the first team. He has played 1/2 of their reserve league games. I don’t know where you’re getting 5 goals from, transfermarkt says 1. I am befuddled how EPL2 goals somehow count to you like he’s in the EPL, where he has not appeared. So he is not tied with anyone in the first team for anything, and the reality is you are advocating for a tepid, half-used reserve player ahead of people starting for first teams playing at a higher level than those reserves. You’re like, but he’s stuck behind x and y. I grant this, but Pulisic is about the same age and he competes for time with impressive players like Sancho. At a certain point throwing around the “but he’s stuck behind good players” is tacitly admitting he ain’t that great himself — at least yet.
Similarly, you earlier harped on his stats in a U20 tournament where once I refreshed my memory we were winning games by scores like 6-0. Oh, he had an assist when we beat a team 6-0, wow, he must be brilliant.
I have previously put a list of interesting players on here. There are players making their mark on first teams in Europe. This is the second time Sarachan has called him up and then he turns out to be worthy of little PT the first time and none the second time. That to me is a waste of time when the team is struggling and there are more established senior age group players out there.
Pulisic should get out of Dodge too. There is no point in his wasting his time playing for that bungling fool Dave Sarachan. If Ernie doesnt want to do anything, call me when he finally does…that would be my attitude
That’s the reason he has 2 appearances with the NT this year. As I said when this saga began, ‘he’s nothing but Arena’s yes man’.