USA roster for March 2023 CONCACAF Nations League games: Projected USMNT squad players vs Grenada, El Salvador
The USA men’s national team returns to its first official competition since the conclusion of the 2022 FIFA World Cup when the USMNT meets for two CONCACAF Nations League games against Grenada and El Salvador.
The last time the US took the field was in January 2023 when the Americans broke camp for friendlies against Serbia and Colombia. These matches were played with a squad mostly made up of local players, as matches were not scheduled during an official FIFA international window and clubs around the world were not required to release players.
However, the March 2023 games fall within a specific FIFA international window, with away games to Grenada on March 24 and then home to El Salvador on March 27. The first-choice contingent of USMNT players should be called.
With the roster, probably published Wednesday, March 15 at 1 p.m. EDT. The Sporting News breaks down who could be involved in Nations League games.
MORE: A far too early look at a USMNT roster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup
USMNT Roster for March 2023 Games (Tentative)
underneath is a planned 27-man USMNT squad for the international break in March 2023.
Important note: Squad size for CONCACAF Nations League matches is unlimited. The USA put together a 23-man squad for their final CONCACAF Nations League games last summer, compared to 24 at the last January camp and 26 last September.
The projection below shows 27 players, but USA could give additional players a look or narrow them down to a narrower group.
MORE: USMNT schedule in 2023
| player | position | Old | caps | Current club |
| Gaga Slonina | GC | 18 | 1 | Chelsea (ENG) |
| Zack Steffen | GC | 27 | 29 | Middlesbrough (GER)* |
| Matt Turner | GC | 28 | 24 | Arsenal (ENG) |
| Cameron Carter-Vickers | DEF | 25 | 12 | Celtic (SCO) |
| Tim Riem | DEF | 35 | 50 | Fulham (ENG) |
| Chris Richards | DEF | 22 | 8th | Crystal Palace (GER) |
| Miles Robinson | DEF | 26 | 21 | Atlanta United (USA) |
| Walker Zimmerman | DEF | 29 | 39 | Nashville SC (USA) |
| Sergino goal | DEF | 22 | 23 | AC Milan (ITA)* |
| Antonia Robinson | DEF | 25 | 33 | Fulham (ENG) |
| Joe Scally | DEF | 20 | 3 | Borussia Mönchengladbach (GER) |
| John Tolkin | DEF | 20 | 1 | New York Red Bulls (USA) |
| DeAndre Yedlin | DEF | 29 | 77 | InterMiami (USA) |
| Kellyn Acosta | MIDDLE | 27 | 57 | LAFC (USA) |
| Tyler Adams | MIDDLE | 24 | 36 | Leeds United (GER) |
| Weston McKennie | MIDDLE | 24 | 41 | Leeds United (ENG)* |
| Yunus Musah | MIDDLE | 20 | 23 | Valencia (ENG) |
| James Sands | MIDDLE | 22 | 7 | NYCFC (USA) |
| Malik Tillmann | MIDDLE | 20 | 4 | Rangers (SCO) |
| Brenden Aaronson | FWD | 22 | 28 | Leeds United |
| Jesus Ferreira | FWD | 22 | 17 | FC Dallas (USA) |
| Richard Pepi | FWD | 20 | 12 | FC Groningen (NED)* |
| Christian Pulisic | FWD | 24 | 56 | Chelsea (ENG) |
| Gio Reyna | FWD | 20 | 16 | Borussia Dortmund (DE) |
| Josh Sargent | FWD | 23 | 23 | Norwich City (GER) |
| Tim Weah | FWD | 23 | 29 | LOSC Lille (FRA) |
| Alejandro Zendejas | FWD | 25 | 1 | Club America (MEX) |
* Borrowed
goalkeeper
at the goalkeeper, Gaga Slonina will get the chance to show he belongs in this squad. While sean johnson isn’t quite out of whack just yet, it might be worth sacrificing the third-string veteran to bring Slonina on board. Johnson, 33, now plays for Toronto FC, where he did not keep a clean sheet in six games early in the MLS season, a possible reason to make way for a promising youngster.
defender
in defense, Miles Robinson And Chris Richards were both expected to compete in the World Cup before injuries derailed the plan. With both healthy now, they should return to push for a 2026 spot. Richards still has work to do at club level but remains a top option for the USA for now. There’s a fifth full-back spot that seems to be winning and a left-back for the New York Red Bulls John Tolkin earned another look with New England’s in January camp De Juan Jones also a possible option.
midfield player
In midfield the “MMA” trio off Weston McKennie, Yunus MusahAnd Tyler Adams are castles, as always. Alejandro Zendejas has just been signed to the USA and will reportedly be involved, able to play in midfield or on the flank. James Sands had a tough game at Rangers but remains a versatile option for USA after returning home to NYCFC where he is amassing consistent minutes in both defense and midfield.
Forward
In the front, most of the seats are likely to be occupied by regulars Christian Pulisic And Tim Weah. The situation around Gio Reyna is thorny given the recent release of an investigation that centered on his parents. Daryl Dyke has returned from injury and is in fine form at West Brom but there may not be enough room for him to squeeze in.
Alejandro Zendejas is committed to the USA
The future of doubles international Alejandro Zendejas was in the spotlight at camp in January when the Club America winger played for the USA and performed well in the friendly against Serbia. The interim US coaching staff gave Zendejas plenty of praise both before and after the game, grateful to both the player and his club for being able to attend.
Although born in Mexico, Zendejas has competed at various youth levels for the United States, but recent speculation about a possible one-off move to his country of birth (Mexico) has cast doubt on his international future.
MORE: Why Zendejas chose US over Mexico
That was put to bed on March 14, when Zendejas announced his senior-level involvement with the USMNT. It was a major recruiting success for USA to bring in a promising player despite not currently having an athletic director or head coach leading the team. There are reports that Zendejas will take part in Nations League games in March, which would ensure he is tied to the USA going forward.
Will Gio Reyna be called up by USMNT?
In the wake of the US soccer investigation into US World Cup coach Gregg Berhalter, which uncovered questionable actions by Claudio and Danielle Reyna, parents of American star Gio Reyna, the USMNT coaching team must now make a decision that will impact both cases could prove uncomfortable.
The report by independent law firm Alston & Bird did not reflect well on Gio’s parents, with evidence suggesting the two had tried to ‘affect’ Gio’s status with the US national team back in 2016.
Their actions during and immediately after the 2022 World Cup came under the spotlight when they decided to report a domestic violence case involving unsigned head coach Berhalter that occurred 31 years ago. It sparked an investigation that led to Berhalter being re-licensed as a coach, while also bringing to light the Reynas’ widely criticized behaviour, communication and interactions.
Gio Reyna has been one of the more promising young players in the USMNT player pool for some time and it would be unfair to hold him accountable for his parents’ actions. However, his presence in the squad could be awkward for other players and staff, and his season with Borussia Dortmund on the field has also declined since the World Cup ended. He had to take a backseat to more in-form attackers like Julian Brandt and Karim Adeyemi.
Ultimately, Reyna is a talented player young enough that past matter should be considered and he is likely to join the March list. As a matter of fact, Steven Goff of the Washington Post has reported that Reyna is indeed being added to the roster, mainly to avoid the story becoming something bigger than it needs to be.
Still, it’s not inconceivable that the USMNT coaching staff could potentially choose to skip him for this international break and instead reintegrate him into a future camp.
USA vs Mexico in April
The US national team announced an international match against rivals Mexico, which will take place on April 19 in Glendale, Arizona.
The match is the first edition of the all-new Continental Clasico, pitting the United States against a variety of opponents from North, Central and South America.
As the game does not fall within a specific FIFA international timeslot, it is unlikely that either nation will feature top European players. Instead, squads will largely consist of local players who have been voluntarily released from their club.