Royal Roundup: USMNT squad named for World Cup qualification

USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter called up 26 players for World Cup Qualifying. Highlighting the roster are many players currently on European teams, as well as the uncapped young talent Ricardo Pepi from FC Dallas. Only 6 players have previous WCQ experience. One of the biggest questions remains when Christian Pulisic will be able to join the team after testing positive for Covid last week. It seems certain that he will miss at least the first game.

US Men face El Salvador in their first match of World Cup qualifying on Thursday. It will be televised on CBS Sports Network, and streamed on Paramount+.

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REAL SALT LAKE / UTAH

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MLS / USL / NWSL

• [MLS] Vancouver Whitecaps also parted with their coach on Friday, hours after RSL.
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USA

• [MLS] A breakdown of all players called up for World Cup qualifying by MLS team.
• [WaPo] USWNT head coach Vlatko Andonovski is expected to remain despite Olympic crash.

INTERNATIONAL

• [Guardian] Cristiano Ronaldo returns to Manchester United after 3 days of negotiations with Juventus.
• [CBS][USSP] Powerhouse teams get drawn in to the same group after UEFA Champions League draw. Manchester City face Paris Saint Germain, while Bayern Munich meet Barcelona.
• [Guardian] The story of how the Afghanistan Women’s team escaped the Taliban.
• [FIFA] Russia defeated Japan 5-2 to win their third Beach Soccer World Cup.