Injured Leeds United midfielder Tyler Adams and newly qualified striker Foralin Balogun were both included in the United States Men’s National Team qualifiers. 60 player roster Ahead of next month’s CONCACAF Nations League Finals.
Adams underwent hamstring surgery in March and Leeds manager Sam Allardyce confirmed last week that he expects the 24-year-old to miss the rest of the Premier League season.
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Relegation battles Leeds will play their final game on 28 May. The United States will face Mexico in the Nations League semi-finals at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on June 15, followed by the final and third-place play-off on June 18.
Balogun, meanwhile, would make his first appearance for the United States national team if he makes the final roster. FIFA announced on Tuesday that it had approved the United States Soccer Federation’s request to change Balogun’s England squad.
The New York-born 21-year-old previously represented England at youth level up to U21. He also qualified for Nigeria.
Balogun, still registered at Arsenal, had a breakthrough season on loan at French Ligue 1 side Stade de Reims. His 19 goals place him fifth on the league’s top scorers list.
Balogun’s presence will be a big boost for the US team, which is struggling to find a consistent scorer to lead the offense. The team have scored at least one goal in one of their last 12 games, and have scored just three goals in the four games they have been eliminated from the 2022 World Cup in the round of 16.
The United States remains under interim manager Anthony Hudson, but the search for a permanent manager to lead the country to the 2026 World Cup in his home country continues.
Also on the reserve roster is LAFC’s other rookie USA midfielder Timothy Tillman, who will join FIFA after playing for Germany at youth level, a source told ESPN last week. He applied for a one-time transfer.
Naturally, there is no place for Fulham captain Tim Ream, who broke his arm in last month’s Premier League game.
Countries must nominate their final 23-man roster one week before the finals, and only those named on the preliminary list will qualify.