Reports: Reyna, Richards, Zendejas headline USMNT’s World Cup roster

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The U.S. men’s national team’s FIFA World Cup roster is reportedly decided. Gio Reyna, Chris Richards, and Alex Zendejas were among the 26 players named to Mauricio Pochettino’s roster, The Athletic and The Guardian reported. The Athletic previously reported several players on the roster including Reyna, Mark McKenzie, and Brenden Aaronson before The Guardian revealed the entire squad. A total of 13 of the 26 players on the roster were part of the USMNT’s 2022 World Cup roster in Qatar. Among them are Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Tyler Adams, and Matt Freese. Richards, who is dealing with an ankle injury at Crystal Palace, will not play in the Eagles’ Premier League finale on Sunday. The veteran centerback could return for the UEFA Conference League Final on Wednesday before joining up with the USMNT for final pre-World Cup tuneups against Senegal (May 31) and Germany (June 6). Among the players not named to the final roster were Real Salt Lake attackers Diego Luna and Zavier Gozo, Middlesbrough midfielder Aidan Morris, Lyon midfielder Tanner Tessmann, and Atletico Madrid midfielder Johnny Cardoso. Cardoso underwent ankle surgery earlier this month, forcing him to miss Atletico’s remaining matches. Augsburg defender Noahkai Banks was also left off the roster, despite previously being called up last September. Banks, who is also eligible for Germany, made only three appearances for Augsburg since March 1. Folarin Balogun, Ricardo Pepi, and the aforementioned Wright will all compete for minutes at the No. 9 position after delivering positive club seasons. Balogun and Pepi both scored 19 goals apiece for Monaco and PSV respectively while Wright tallied 18 at Coventry City, helping the Sky Blues seal Premier League promotion for the first time in 25 years. Final rosters will not be considered official until June 2, allowing national teams the opportunity to make changes as needed until then.A player in the final squad may only be replaced by a player from the provisional roster in the event of a serious injury or illness, no later than 24 hours before their team’s first match at the World Cup. In addition, a goalkeeper in the final squad may be replaced by another goalkeeper from the provisional squad in the event of a serious injury or illness at any time during the tournament.The USMNT will take on Paraguay in their Group D opener on June 12 (Inglewood, Cali.) before facing Australia on June 19 (Seattle, Wash.) and Turkey on June 25 (Inglewood, Cali.). Here is the full USMNT World Cup roster: GOALKEEPERS (3): Matt Turner, Matt Freese, Chris Brady. DEFENDERS (10): Max Arfsten, Sergiño Dest, Alex Freeman, Mark McKenzie, Tim Ream, Chris Richards, Antonee Robinson, Miles Robinson, Auston Trusty, Joe Scally.MIDFIELDERS (6): Tyler Adams, Sebastian Berhalter, Cristian Roldan, Weston McKennie, Gio Reyna, Malik Tillman.FORWARDS (7): Brenden Aaronson, Haji Wright, Folarin Balogun, Christian Pulisic, Ricardo Pepi, Tim Weah, Alex Zendejas.