Pochettino Breaks Silence On Weston McKennie's Exclusion For USMNT Friendlies

U.S. Men's National Team coach Mauricio Pochettino has announced his 22-player roster for the September friendlies against South Korea (Sept. 6 in New Jersey) and Japan (Sept. 9 in Columbus).

It's a roster that mixes old with new, but no Weston McKennie. Pochettino said the decision has nothing to do with discipline and everything to do with where McKennie is in his club journey.

McKennie, who has 60 caps for the U.S.  team, was not included in a roster that brought back Christian Pulisic, Sergiño Dest, and Tim Weah.

Pochettino Breaks Silence on McKennie's Exclusion

Pochettino called his decision strategic and not punitive. The Argentine coach explained that McKennie finished a long season with Juventus, jumped straight into the Club World Cup, and didn't have a proper preseason. To avoid burnout, Pochettino left him off the September friendlies so he could fully settle at his club.

"We already know Weston, it's not necessary to call him. He arrived with no preseason and only started the season last week in Italy. We wanted to give him the possibility to be more settled in his club and to be in his best form," Pochettino said.