World Cup 2022: Who's In And Who's Out Of The U.S. Men's National Team?

Some fans of the United States Men’s National Soccer Team are in an uproar, following the 26-man roster for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, announced by head coach Gregg Berhalter onWednesday in New York. The World Cup is set for November 20 to December 18 in Qatar.

Berhalter selected one of the youngest squads at the World Cup, with 25 of the 26 players eyeing their first World Cup action and an average age of 25 and a half years old. Defender Deandre Yedlin is the only player selected with previous World Cup experience, having played with the United States in World Cup 2014 in Brazil. The United States fell short of qualifying for the World Cup in 2018, so this will be the USMNT first in eight years. The relative youth could provide some experience for the USMNT when the United States, Mexico and Canada host the 2026 World Cup.

Headlining the team is Chelsea forward, Christian Pulisic, Juventus midfielder, Weston McKinnie and Leeds United midfielder, Tyler Adams. Berhalter admitted the decisions were tough, while other choices came down to injuries, and tactical preferences.

Here are five players who were left off the 2022 USMNT:

Zack Steffen, Goalkeeper, Middlesbrough

Steffen was a suprise snub off the USMNT roster, and was viewed as Berhalter's favorite, given that the two worked together at the Columbus Crew from 2016 to 2018. Despite Steffen's strong run at the club level with Middlesbrough in 2022, Berhalter opted to go with goalkeeper, Matt Turner to Qatar.

“Me and Zack go way back, and Zack's been there for me a bunch of times. And to tell him he's not going to be part of the World Cup team was heartbreaking for me,” Berhalter said Wednesday.

Paul Arriola, Winger, FC Dallas

The FC Dallas attacker, will have to watch the World Cup from home, as fellow wingers Pulisic, Gio Reyna, Tim Weah and Jordan Morris will travel to Qatar instead.

Despite the snub from making the final cut, Arriola, has made an impact during international play for the USMNT. The 27-year-old racked up 10 goals and eight assists in 33 starts and 48 caps, for USMNT during Berhalter's tenure as manager.

Arriola is also coming off a stellar season with Dallas. The FC Dallas star put up seven assists and a career high 10 goals in league play last season.

Ricardo Pepi, Striker, FC Groningen

Pepi was left off the 2022 World Cup roster, while Josh Sargent and Haji Wright each got the nod, despite a strong performance during World Cup qualifying. Pepi is connected to his Mexican roots, but made the decision to play for the United States Under-17 team in 2018. Second to Pulisic in goals scored for the USMNT with three during the qualifying round, the 19-yeard old remains in top form at the club level. The El Paso, Texas native, has racked up five goals and two assists in eight league games for Groningen, in the Dutch Eredivisie.

Jordan Pefok, Striker, Union Berlin

Pefok's one goal in nine caps, since his USMNT debut in 2021, was not enough in Berhalter's eyes to make the final 2022 World Cup roster. Pefok, was born in Washington D.C. to Cameroonian parents, and raised in France. He was eligible to play for either of the three countries, before he made the decision to represent the USMNT in March 2021. A dynamic goal scorer, the 26-year-old has had a tremendous season with FC Union Berlin in the German Bundesliga, recording four goals and three assists in 18 matches across all competitions.

Mark McKenzie, Centerback, KRC Genk

McKenzie will miss the flight to Qatar edged out by a late reconsideration of Fulham captain, Tim Ream. A shocking USMNT snub, McKenzie is having a remarkable year, as a consistent starter for Belgian league-leaders Genk. As a part of the top-rated defenses in the Pro League, McKenzie has played a pivotal role in Genk's first place standing.

Appearing off the bench in both of the USMNT’s September friendlies are McKenzie's only international appearances with the squad in 2022.

The U.S. is in Group B, with England, Iran and Wales. Their first match is against Wales on Nov. 21, followed by one of the tournament favorites, England, on Nov. 26 and Iran on Nov. 29.

The USMNT roster for Qatar World Cup 2022:

Goalkeepers: Ethan Horvath (Luton Town), Sean Johnson (New York City FC), Matt Turner (Arsenal)

Defenders: Cameron Carter-Vickers (Celtic), Sergino Dest (AC Milan), Aaron Long (New York Red Bulls), Shaq Moore (Nashville SC), Tim Ream (Fulham), Antonee Robinson (Fulham), Joe Scally (Borussia Monchengladbach), DeAndre Yedlin (Inter Miami CF), Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC)

Midfielders: Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United), Kellyn Acosta (LAFC), Tyler Adams (Leeds United), Luca de la Torre (Celta Vigo), Weston McKennie (Juventus), Yunus Musah (Valencia), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders FC)

Forwards: Jesus Ferreira (FC Dallas), Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders), Christian Pulisic (Chelsea), Gio Reyna (Borussia Dortmund), Josh Sargent (Norwich City), Tim Weah (Lille), Haji Wright (Antalyaspor)