Pochettino explains surprise absence of key Premier League star from USMNT roster

Mauricio Pochettino named his first comPetitive USMNT roster on Sunday, three days before the two-legged CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinal tie against Jamaica gets underway. As expected, Christian Pulisic, Weston McKenzie and Tim Weah are among the star names selected, but captain Tyler Adams hasn’t been called up despite his return to action in the Premier League.

After signing for Bournemouth in the summer of 2023, Adams made just four appearances last season because of a hamstring injury. That didn’t prevent him from playing for the United States in the 2024 Copa América, although he suffered back spasms during the tournament which led to him having surgery in the middle of July.

That caused the 25-year-old to miss the first seven Premier League Games of 2024/25, although he was an unused substitute in Bournemouth’s win over Arsenal on October 19 and has since played three Games, starting Saturday’s defeat to Brentford, in which he was replaced after 67 minutes.

Why isn’t Tyler Adams on the USMNT roster to play Jamaica?

Speaking after the roster announcement, Pochettino revealed that Adams’ absence was very much a precautionary measure and that he didn’t want to take any risks with an important player after his long-standing fitness issues.

“I consider him a very important player for the future of this team,” said the Argentine. “But the most important thing now is to see the progression. For us we were so happy to see his evolution but at the same time, we know very well that we need to look after him if we want to have him in the best condition for 2026.”

USMNT’s CONCACAF Nations League schedule

The USMNT take on Jamaica in the first leg of the CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinals in Kingston on Thursday, November 14 (kickoff at 8pm ET). The return leg takes place at Energizer Park in St. Louis on Monday, November 18 (also 8pm ET).

The Stars and Stripes have won the three previous editions of the CONCACAF Nations League.

Costa Rica, Panama, Suriname, Canada, Honduras and Mexico are the other countries in contention in this year’s edition, with the Finals (semifinals and final) to be played in Inglewood, California in March 2025.