A trio of injuries have forced U.S. men’s national team head coach Mauricio Pochettino to make three roster changes for October’s international window.
Midfielder Tanner Tessmann and forwards Brandon Vazquez and Alex Zendejas have been added for the upcoming matches against Panama and Mexico. The trio will replace Johnny Cardoso, Folarin Balogun, and Tim Weah due to respective injuries.
Balogun suffered a dislocated shoulder on Saturday in AS Monaco’s Ligue 1 win while Weah did not dress in Juventus’ Serie A match. He had missed time earlier this season due to a hamstring problem.
Cardoso started for Real Betis on Sunday in La Liga play, but has dealt with his only injury issues this fall.
Tessmann, 23, captained the U.S. men’s Olympic team this past summer and has earned two senior caps to date. At club level, the Alabama native transferred to Ligue 1 side Lyon from Serie A club Venezia.
The 25-year-old Vazquez remains at Liga MX club Monterrey this season where he’s tallied three goals in 12 matches. He’s scored four goals in eight senior appearances for the USMNT.
Zendejas, 26, has earned seven caps for the USMNT since committing his international future to the program in March 2023. He most recently returned from injury at club level with Mexican side Club America.
The USMNT will host Panama on October 12 in Austin, Texas before traveling to Guadalajara to take on Mexico three days later.
