Five takeaways from the new USMNT roster

The U.S. Men's National Team will play Grenada on March 24 and El Salvador on March 27 in the CONCACAF Nations League.

The USMNT is second in its Nations League group behind El Salvador. As defending champions, the U.S. hopes to use these final two games to secure first and advance to the semifinals of the tournament.

The U.S. Soccer Federation announced its 24-man squad for those matches this week. There's a lot to unpack from this new-look USMNT. Here are five of the biggest takeaways:

Americans are thriving in the Championship. Casual fans of the USMNT may not often check in on the Championship, England's second division, but it's a fascinating and highly competitive league -- and Americans are lighting it up. Zach Steffen's Middlesbrough and Ethan Horvath's Luton Town are competing for promotion to the Premier League while Daryl Dike has knocked in seven goals for West Brom. 

MLS representation is at a depressing--but understandable--low. Atlanta's Miles Robinson is the U.S. domestic league's sole representation in this lineup. MLS fans may lament the omission of stars Seattle's Jordan Morris or Nashville's Walker Zimmerman, but they needn't worry. Their absence is merely logistical.

The MLS plans to run without interruption throughout these Nations League matches while European and South American leagues pause for an international break. U.S. Soccer is just trying to keep MLS full of talent while it's the only league on TV -- a shrewd move from the federation.

Gio Reyna is back, but Gregg Berhalter is not. After a messy investigation cleared both of intentional wrongdoing, Reyna got the opportunity to earn back his place in the USMNT lineup. Berhalter's contract expired in December and U.S. Soccer has yet to renew it. The team will be led by interim coach Anthony Hudson instead.

The USMNT has yet to lock down its number nine. We're back to square one after a rough World Cup cycle in which the USMNT never identified a starting striker. World Cup selections Haji Wright, Josh Sargent and Jesus Ferreira have been dropped, while Ricardo Pepi, Daryl Dike and Alex Zendejas have been recalled. Sigh. Here we go again.

Adams' injury opens the door for young midfielders. Team captain Tyler Adams had a remarkable World Cup, but his hamstring injury means he won't participate in these Nations League games. So much of the USMNT's ball control depends on the relationship between Adams, Weston McKennie and Yunus Musah.

Adams' absence gives other players the chance to shake that up. Keep an eye out for Johnny Cardoso of Internacional and Luca de la Torre of Celta Vigo, both of whom have something to prove after missing out to Adams on World Cup playing time.