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Manager Mauricio Pochettino is dealing with a number of injury concerns ahead of the U.S. men's national team's Concacaf Nations League fixtures in Cincinnati and Miami later this month.
The USMNT has traditionally been a powerhouse in the competition, claiming the first three titles before a surprising fourth-place finish in 2025. The Americans should still be capable of advancing past Haiti in the two-leg quarterfinal tie and booking their spot in the final four, even with several key players missing from the roster.
Here is a full list of players who are doubtful or ruled out for the USMNT's upcoming November international window.
USMNT Absentees for Concacaf Nations League Quarterfinals
Haji Wright
From Julian Hall to Folarin Balogun to Ricardo Pepi, Pochettino has a solid pool of forwards to draw from when naming his USMNT squad. However, one striker unavailable for consideration is Haji Wright.
The 28-year-old enjoyed a productive spring and summer and seemed on course for a strong autumn campaign. After helping Coventry City earn promotion back to the English top flight for the first time in 25 years, he earned a place in Pochettino's World Cup squad and featured in two home matches. But just as he was on the verge of making his Premier League debut, Wright sustained a serious quad/thigh injury. Although he has recently returned to individual training on the pitch, he is unlikely to feature for Coventry until after the international break at the earliest.
Miles Robinson
Miles Robinson is in a battle to regain full fitness ahead of the November international window.
After starting in the USMNT's 4–2 victory over Chile last month, Robinson featured at center-back in a 3–1 win against Atlanta United on Oct. 10. He was substituted after 72 minutes, however, due to discomfort in his leg. The 29-year-old has not returned to action since, and it remains unclear whether he will be fit in time for FC Cincinnati's Decision Day clash with Supporters' Shield holders Nashville SC.
Timothy Tillman
While his younger brother Malik is expected to play a key role, Timothy Tillman will not be involved in either of the USMNT's matches against Haiti. He has not represented the national team since November 2025, and his next opportunity won't come until March 2027 at the earliest.
The 27-year-old sustained a pelvis injury in late summer, keeping him out for club side LAFC since Aug. 22. Head coach Marc dos Santos will be hoping for a swift recovery, as his squad looks to shake off a poor run of results and mount a deep MLS postseason run.
Johnny Cardoso
It has been a frustrating 2026 for Johnny Cardoso on the injury front. After dealing with a minor muscle strain and then a thigh problem early in the year, Cardoso missed his chance to be included in the USMNT's 2026 World Cup squad after suffering a serious right ankle sprain.
The Atlético Madrid midfielder then picked up a minor thigh injury at Stuttgart on Oct. 20, causing him to sit out three consecutive matches. Even if he manages to return for the La Liga encounter with Barcelona on Sunday, Pochettino may prefer to leave him in Madrid to continue his rehabilitation.
Weston McKennie
Having been omitted from last month's squad, Weston McKennie could be set to miss a second consecutive international call-up. The Juventus midfielder was substituted at halftime during Sunday's 2–0 victory over Napoli after picking up an adductor issue, though it appears to be muscular fatigue rather than a serious concern.
The 28-year-old will sit out the upcoming trip to AZ Alkmaar before being reassessed ahead of the weekend fixture at Fiorentina. Even if he does feature against La Viola, Pochettino may opt to give McKennie additional recovery time rather than have him make the transatlantic journey.
Diego Luna
Real Salt Lake will be aiming to sneak into the playoffs with a victory over LA Galaxy and some favorable results elsewhere, but they will be without their creative playmaker, Diego Luna.
After being left out of Pochettino's World Cup squad, Luna's summer took a turn for the worse when he tore his meniscus against Houston Dynamo on Sep. 9. He is not expected to return until the start of the 2027 MLS Spring Season.
Cavan Sullivan
Much like McKennie and Cardoso, Pochettino may prefer to give Cavan Sullivan some extra time to recover rather than test his fitness prematurely. After sitting out two matches with an ankle problem, the Philadelphia Union winger made his comeback on Saturday with a 30-minute substitute appearance against Cincinnati. He will be hoping to reclaim his starting spot as the Union host Toronto FC in their regular season finale this weekend.
Having only just turned 17, there is every reason to believe Sullivan can develop into a key attacking weapon for the Stars and Stripes. But that does not mean he should be rushed back into action. With MLS playoff games still ahead, it may be prudent for Pochettino to protect the teenage talent and manage his workload carefully.
Alex Zendejas
One player who will certainly not be included in the squad is Alejandro Zendejas. After participating in his first World Cup, Zendejas missed two months of action following arthroscopic surgery on his right knee. The Club América forward gradually worked his way back to form, contributing a goal and an assist at Atlas on Oct. 21.
However, another injury setback prevented him from building on that performance, as he has missed the last three matches with an adductor problem. With América sitting top of the table, there is little reason to risk Zendejas ahead of Liga MX's Apertura playoffs, and Pochettino has no incentive to take a gamble on his fitness either.
Patrick Agyemang
Patrick Agyemang made a smooth transition from MLS to the EFL Championship after moving from Charlotte FC to Derby County. But his progress was abruptly halted on April 6, when he suffered a serious right Achilles tendon rupture.
He missed the World Cup entirely and has remained sidelined ever since. Although Agyemang is edging closer to match fitness, the 25-year-old striker is unlikely to be available until after the November international break.