Tim Weah has been named in the US roster for the Concacaf Nations League quarter-finals against Jamaica but must sit out coach Mauricio Pochettino’s first competitive match while completing a suspension.
Weah was given a two-game ban for punching Panama’s Roderick Miller on the back of the head during a Copa América match in June. The 2-1 defeat contributed to the Americans’ first-round elimination from the tournament, an exit that led US Soccer to replace Gregg Berhalter with Pochettino.
Weah withdrew from last month’s friendlies against Panama and Mexico because of an ankle injury. He scored for Juventus in Saturday’s win over Torino.
The three-time defending champion US play Jamaica in Kingston on Thursday night in the first-leg of the quarter-final, then host the Reggae Boyz on 18 November in St Louis.
Forward Cade Cowell, midfielder Johnny Cardoso, defender Chris Richards and goalkeeper Diego Kochen were also additions on the 25-man roster after missing last month’s games. Goalkeeper Ethan Horvath and defenders Marlon Fossey and Kristoffer Lund were dropped.
Injured players who will miss the matches include defenders Sergiño Dest and Cameron Carter-Vickers, midfielders Gio Reyna and Luca De La Torre, and forwards Folarin Balogun, Josh Sargent and Haji Wright. Wright scored for the fourth time in five games for Coventry City on Saturday, then injured an ankle. Tyler Adams, who returned to Bournemouth last month after back surgery, was left off the roster as he continues to improve his fitness with his club.
Christian Pulisic is the most experienced player on the roster with 74 caps.
USMNT roster to face Jamaica
Goalkeepers: Diego Kochen (Barcelona Atletic), Patrick Schulte (Columbus), Zack Steffen (Colorado), Matt Turner (Crystal Palace).
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Defenders: Mark McKenzie (Toulouse), Tim Ream (Charlotte), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace), Antonee Robinson (Fulham), Miles Robinson (Cincinnati), Joe Scally (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Auston Trusty (Celtic).
Midfielders: Brenden Aaronson (Leeds), Gianluca Busio (Venezia), Johnny Cardoso (Real Betis), Weston McKennie (Juventus), Aidan Morris (Middlesbrough), Yunus Musah (AC Milan), Tanner Tessmann (Lyon), Malik Tillman (PSV Eindhoven).
Forwards: Cade Cowell (Guadalajara), Ricardo Pepi (PSV Eindhoven), Christian Pulisic (AC Milan), Brandon Vazquez (Monterrey), Tim Weah (Juventus), Alex Zendejas (América).