In a blow to the US men’s national team, three key players will miss the upcoming friendlies due to injury. Monaco’s Folarin Balogun, Real Betis’ Johnny Cardoso, and Juventus’ Tim Weah have all been ruled out, US Soccer announced on Sunday.
Balogun suffered a dislocated shoulder while scoring the winner in Monaco’s 2-1 victory over Rennes, which propelled the team to the top of Ligue 1. Cardoso has been struggling with a muscle issue that has limited him to just eight appearances this season, with only five starts. Despite playing 90 minutes on Sunday, his fitness remains a concern. Weah, meanwhile, has been dealing with an ankle problem that has restricted him to just four appearances for Juventus.
To fill the void, US Soccer has called up Olympique Lyon midfielder Tanner Tessmann, CF Monterrey forward Brandon Vazquez, and Club America winger Alejandro Zendejas. Tessmann, 23, skippered the US men’s Olympic team last summer and has two senior caps. He has made five appearances for Lyon since his summer move from Venezia.
Vazquez returns to the US fold for the first time since the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup, where he netted three goals. The 24-year-old has scored four times in eight appearances for the USMNT and has three goals in 12 matches for Monterrey this season. Zendejas, 26, has seven caps for the USMNT, with one goal and one assist to his name. He recently returned from injury and has been playing for Club América in Liga MX.
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