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Why Is Tyler Adams Not In USMNT's October Roster?

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Marcelo Cartaxo | Last updated Oct 2, 2025 12:54 PM ET

USMNT captain in recent call-ups, Tyler Adams, was not included in the October friendlies against Ecuador and Australia. While some fans speculated that Mauricio Pochettino left him out, the decision actually came at Adams’ personal request.

After Christian Pulisic and other key players either opted out of the 2025 Gold Cup or were unavailable due to conflicts with the Club World Cup, concerns have grown among fans and analysts about how Pochettino is managing the locker room.

With Adams missing from the squad, rumors again surfaced on social media suggesting tension between the coach and the players. In reality, however, the midfielder asked not to be called up for personal reasons.

Adams, who plays for Bournemouth, will skip the October friendlies as he prepares to welcome his first child. Pochettino confirmed the news during the squad announcement press conference.

❗️ Mauricio Pochettino has confirmed in a press conference that Tyler Adams is not in USMNT camp because his wife is expecting a baby in the next few days.

Congrats to Adams and his wife! ❤️ pic.twitter.com/awwJDasEuf
— USMNT Otaku (@USMNTOtaku) October 2, 2025

Tyler Adams Expected Back for USMNT in November Call-Up

As the final friendlies of 2025 approach, Mauricio Pochettino is starting to narrow down his list of players for the 2026 World Cup.

Names like Tyler Adams, Christian Pulisic, Tim Ream, Matt Freese, and Chris Roberts are considered locks for the tournament roster. While Adams is sitting out the October friendlies against Ecuador and Australia, there are still two more opportunities to feature before the squad enters full World Cup mode.

In November, the USMNT will face Paraguay and Uruguay. After that, the group won’t gather again until their final warm-up matches just before the tournament kicks off—matches in which several top European nations are expected to line up against the host team.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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