CHICAGO (Sept. 4, 2021)-- After fighting to earn a valuable road point in the challenging conditions of El Salvador, the U.S. Men’s National Team heads to Nashville, Tenn. for its first home World Cup qualifying match of the campaign. USA-Canada, presented by Volkswagen, marks the second of three qualifiers during the September international window as the U.S. sets off on the road to Qatar, a 14-match, seven-month journey through the rigors of Concacaf for a berth in the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Kickoff from Nissan Stadium is set for 8 p.m. ET on FS1, UniMas and TUDN. Fans can follow the USMNT during the tournament on Twitter (@USMNT), Instagram (@USMNT), Facebook and the official U.S. Soccer App.
USMNT ROSTER BY POSITION (CLUB; CAPS/GOALS)
GOALKEEPERS (3): Ethan Horvath (Nottingham Forest/ENG; 7/0), Zack Steffen (Manchester City/ENG; 23/0), Matt Turner (New England Revolution; 8/0)
DEFENDERS (10): George Bello (Atlanta United; 3/0), John Brooks (Wolfsburg/GER; 43/3), Sergiño Dest (Barcelona/ESP; 12/1), Mark McKenzie (Genk/BEL; 6/0), Tim Ream (Fulham/ENG; 46/1), Antonee Robinson (Fulham/ENG; 13/0), Miles Robinson (Atlanta United; 10/3), James Sands (New York City FC; 6/0), DeAndre Yedlin (Galatasaray/TUR; 65/0), Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC; 17/2)
MIDFIELDERS (5): Kellyn Acosta (Colorado Rapids; 38/2), Tyler Adams (RB Leipzig/GER; 15/1), Sebastian Lletget (LA Galaxy; 30/7), Weston McKennie (Juventus/ITA; 25/7), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders; 26/0)
FORWARDS (7): Brenden Aaronson (RB Salzburg/AUT; 8/3), Konrad de la Fuente (Olympique Marseille/FRA; 2/0), Jordan Pefok (BSC Young Boys/SUI; 7/1), Ricardo Pepi (FC Dallas; 0/0), Christian Pulisic (Chelsea/ENG; 38/16), Gio Reyna (Borussia Dortmund/GER; 9/4), Josh Sargent (Norwich City/ENG; 17/5)
USA SCHEDULE - SEPTEMBER WORLD CUP QUALIFYING
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Date
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Opponent
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Venue
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Time (ET)/Result
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TV Info
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Thursday, Sept. 2
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El Salvador
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Estadio Cuscatlan; San Salvador, El Salvador
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0-0 D
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CBS Sports Network, Paramount+, Universo*
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Sunday, Sept. 5
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Canada
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Nissan Stadium; Nashville, Tenn.
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8:00 p.m. ET
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FS1, UniMas, TUDN
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Wednesday, Sept. 8
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Honduras
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Estadio Olimpico Metropolitano; San Pedro Sula, Honduras
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10:30 p.m. ET
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Paramount+, Universo
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*FAQ – Away World Cup Qualifying TV Rights
HARD-EARNED POINT KICKS OFF WCQ
The USMNT started its World Cup qualifying campaign with a tough 0-0 draw vs. El Salvador in front of a raucous, sellout crowd of 29,000 at San Salvador’s Estadio Cuscatlán. It proved to be a back-and-forth affair, as both sides struggled to establish rhythm on a choppy and spongy playing surface.
The U.S. and El Salvador both showed some flashes in attack on set plays, nearly scoring on headers from their respective center backs in the opening 15 minutes. Second-half substitutes for the USA made a difference late, and Weston McKennie factored into two of the USMNT’s best chances in the 73rd and 75th, sending a header just wide and sending in a cross for Kellyn Acosta that forced the Salvadoran goalkeeper into action.
Goalkeeper Matt Turner recorded his seventh shutout in eight starts with the USMNT. After winning his first seven appearances, Turner is undefeated in his first eight games with the USA, conceding just one goal- a penalty kick in a 6-1 win against Martinique in the 2021 Gold Cup group stage.
INTRODUCTION TO CONCACAF WCQ
Thursday night’s match provided an introduction to the rigors of Concacaf World Cup qualifying for many of the USMNT’s young player pool. Twelve of 16 players made their World Cup qualifying debut for the USA in the match against El Salvador, tying a modern-era record set in the opening game of 1998 World Cup qualifying on Nov. 3, 1996 vs. Guatemala in Washington, D.C. Gio Reyna became the second-youngest U.S. player to start a qualifying match, following only Christian Pulisic. Also making his qualifying debut, Tyler Adams became the youngest player to captain the USMNT in the modern era.
The starting line-up carried an average age of 23 years, 282 days, the fourth-youngest WCQ line-up in the modern era and third-youngest in matches where the team had not already qualified or advanced to the next round. The only lineups that were younger came in April 1989 from the first two matches of qualifying for the 1990 FIFA World Cup.
