CHRISTIAN PULISIC

The United States ended its World Cup tuneup matches in unimpressive fashion, playing a 0-0 draw against Saudi Arabia at Murcia, Spain.

Christian Pulisic and Ricardo Pepi will join the U.S. starting lineup for the Americans’ last World Cup warmup against Saudi Arabia after coach Gregg Berhalter admitted “we got our butts kicked” by Japan last week.

For the latest updates, highlights and analysis from the match, you can follow along with Yahoo Sports right here. To that end, the two big questions Berhalter must answer: Who will start alongside Christian Pulisic in attack? With Pulisic, Weah and Musah out, the U.S. will trial something of a Plan B against Japan. Chris Richards and Cameron Carter-Vickers, two strong candidates to start at center back, pulled out of this final training camp due to injury. They will have to prove that, as a duo, they have enough recovery speed to function in the Berhalter's high-pressing system.

Gregg Berhalter's U.S. roster as the World Cup approaches is as notable for its absences as for those set to play in Friday's warmup against Japan at Düsseldorf, Germany. Miles Robinson will miss the World Cup because of a torn Achilles. I can imagine at the World Cup some teams will be doing that for players that aren't playing 90 minutes and aren't completely fit." They have started together just four times: a 2019 exhibition against Ecuador, World Cup qualifiers against Honduras and Canada in January, and a June friendly against Uruguay. We don’t play to be available for future games.”Berhalter plans to announce his 26-man World Cup roster on Nov. 9, 12 days before the Americans open against Wales.

Gregg Berhalter’s U.S. roster as the World Cup approaches is as notable for its absences as for those set to play in Friday’s warmup against Japan at Düsseldorf, Germany.

Josh Sargent is back on the U.S. roster for the first time in a year, picked at forward along with Ricardo Pepi and Jesús Ferreira for the Americans’ final two World Cup warmup matches.

In the eyes of U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter, Chelsea’s decision to fire manager Thomas Tuchel could benefit American star Christian Pulisic. Pulisic was used as second-half substitute in Chelsea’s first five Premier League matches before starting in Saturday’s 2-1 win over West Ham.

A few months later, he is gearing up for his first Premier League season, and he isn't alone. So it's there, in the EPL (and on NBC networks), where American eyes will be trained between now and mid-November, when the 2022 World Cup begins. So, with the Prem and Bundesliga set to begin on Friday, here's a rundown of USMNT World Cup roster contenders and their overseas club situations. Tyler Adams (defensive midfielder, Leeds) — The 23-year-old's $24 million move to Leeds made him the third-most expensive American player ever. Brenden Aaronson (attacking midfielder, Leeds) — Aaronson has been torching preseason opponents with his two preeminent skills: relentless pressing and transition passing.

(AP Photo/Jeff Dean) (Jeff Dean)CHICAGO — (AP) — The United States will play Japan and Saudia Arabia in its last two World Cup warmups. 49 Saudi Arabia in a friendly four days later in Murcia, Spain. Japan begins Group E play against Germany on Nov. 23, faces Costa Rica on Nov. 27 and Spain on Dec. 1. Saudi Arabia starts Group C against Argentina on Nov. 22, plays Poland four days later and Mexico on Nov. 30. ___More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsCopyright 2022 The Associated Press.

The United States will play Japan and Saudia Arabia in its last two World Cup warmups.

Morocco US Soccer U.S. forward Christian Pulisic, right, hands the ball to Haji Wright (19) prior to a penalty kick during the second half of the team' international friendly soccer match against Morocco on Wednesday, June 1, 2022, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean) (Jeff Dean)AUSTIN, Texas — (AP) — U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter did not have forward Christian Pulisic and midfielder Tyler Adams dress Friday night for a World Cup warmup against 170th-ranked Grenada in the CONCACAF Nations League, giving a pair of regulars the day off against a relatively weak opponent. Luca de la Torre replaced Yunus Musah in midfield, and Paul Arriola and Jordan Morris were on the wings instead of Pulisic and Tim Weah. At the World Cup in Qatar, the U.S. opens Group B against 18th-ranked Wales on Nov 21, plays No. ___More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsCopyright 2022 The Associated Press.

U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter did not have forward Christian Pulisic and midfielder Tyler Adams dress for a World Cup warmup against 170th-ranked Grenada in the CONCACAF Nations League.

Weah scored in the 32nd minute for his third international goal, a 22-yard shot off the goalkeeper's glove. The U.S. has used 118 players in this World Cup cycle, including 91 under coach Gregg Berhalter — 56 making debuts. The other World Cup prep matches for the U.S. are a pair of exhibitions in Europe in September. The Americans open the World Cup in Qatar on Nov. 21 against the winner of Sunday’s Wales-Ukraine playoff. In its second straight World Cup and sixth overall, it opens Group F against 16th-ranked Croatia on Nov. 23, plays No.

U.S. captain Christian Pulisic was critical of the level of American support from the crowd of 19,512 at TQL Stadium during a 3-0 win over Morocco on in the first of four World Cup warmup matches in June.

(AP Photo/Alastair Grant) (Alastair Grant)Bayern Munich midfielder Malik Tillman is switching affiliation from Germany to the United States and is among 27 players invited to the Americans’ next-to-last training camp ahead of the World Cup. Brooks, a 29-year-old defender who was on the 2014 World Cup roster, has not been picked by U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter since qualifiers last September. The Americans plan a pair of friendlies in Europe in September, then will open the World Cup in Qatar on Nov. 21 against Wales, Scotland or Ukraine. Tillman, 19, was born in Germany to a father in the U.S military and a German mother. Wright played for the U.S. at the 2015 Under-17 World Cup alongside Christian Pulisic and Tyler Adams and attended a national team training camp in May 2019 that included young players.

Bayern Munich midfielder Malik Tillman is switching affiliation from Germany to the United States and is among 27 players invited to the Americans’ next-to-last training camp ahead of the World Cup.

Clint Dempsey acknowledges the limelight changed him later in his career as he felt responsible for his club and American soccer.

Britain Soccer Premeir League Chelsea's Christian Pulisic celebrates after scoring the only goal of the game during the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and West Ham United at Stamford Bridge in London, Sunday, April 24, 2022. Chelsea won the match 1-0. Boehly, Clearlake Capital, Mark Walter and Hansjorg Wyss must now wait for Premier League and U.K. government approval before rubber-stamping the takeover. Boehly is part owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers MLB franchise and he also has minority stakes in the NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers and WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks. ___More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsCopyright 2022 The Associated Press.

Britain Soccer Premeir League Chelsea's Christian Pulisic celebrates after scoring the only goal of the game during the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and West Ham United at Stamford Bridge in London, Sunday, April 24, 2022. The goal was just the second Premier League winner by an American in the 90th minute or later, the first since Fulham's Carlos Bocanegra against Tottenham on Jan. 31, 2006. It spared the blushes of Jorginho, who struck a tame penalty at West Ham goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianksi in the 87th minute after his trademark hop-and-skip run-up. West Ham rested key players like Declan Rice and Michail Antonio ahead of its appearance in the Europa League semifinals on Thursday. ___More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsCopyright 2022 The Associated Press.

Staying in the slipstream of Manchester City in the Premier League title race wasn’t Liverpool’s only cause for celebration following victory in another frantic Merseyside derby.

U.S. forward Christian Pulisic came off the bench to score in the 90th minute and earn Chelsea a 1-0 win over West Ham that cemented third place in the Premier League.

Recovering from the past and preparing for the future intertwined as the United States clinched a return to the World Cup. “We’re the youngest team to ever qualify for the World Cup, youngest U.S. team, and we’ll be the youngest team at the World Cup," Berhalter said. — qualified for a World Cup, we’re all extremely proud.”Berhalter admitted the pressure was omnipresent. Major League Soccer players may have a domestic training camp before the tournament. The 4-3-3 system as it’s been good for us, we might work with some other systems just to have some flexibility in the World Cup.

It will be their first World Cup tournament since a loss to Belgium in July 2014.

“The guys have told us, that have been here and through this path before, that we thought we qualified last World Cup," midfielder Tyler Adams said Wednesday. Because the Americans have a plus-13 goal difference and Costa Rica is at plus-three, the U.S. could be denied only by a defeat of at least six goals. “The media has classified us as the golden generation and the generation that’s going to qualify for the next World Cup,” 22-year-old winger Tim Weah said. "We’re coming here to be aggressive in the game and to win the soccer game. and Berhalter planned to contact those not in Costa Rica to congratulate them.

American soccer’s harrowing memory of the loss in Trinidad 4 1/2 years ago remains omnipresent, if no longer raw.

The first American to play in and win a Champions League final, Pulisic struggled in January, was played out of position by Chelsea and even was benched for a World Cup qualifier against Honduras. Now he has boosted the United States to the cusp of a World Cup return with the first international hat trick of his career. “The reason that tonight meant so much is because we want to be on the biggest stage, playing in the World Cup,” he said Sunday after leading the U.S. over Panama 5-1. Pulisic won the 2017 German Cup, earned a big-money move to Chelsea for the 2019-20 season and won the Champions League last May and the Club World Cup in February. “I just really want to play in a World Cup and so does this team.

Christian Pulisic struggled in January, was played out of position by Chelsea and even was benched for a World Cup qualifier against Honduras.

WCup Panama US Soccer United States' Christian Pulisic, in orange top, is hugged by his father Mark Pulisic, center, after Christian Pulisic scored three goals in a FIFA World Cup qualifying soccer match against Panama, Sunday, March 27, 2022, in Orlando, Fla. Pulisic helped set up the second goal in the 23rd minute, running down a long ball from Zimmerman and dishing to Antonee Robinson, who crossed. Arriola, all of 5-foot-6, outjumped the 5-foot-11 Davis for his ninth international goal — just the second goal on a header in his professional career. Godoy's second penalty was for shoving Miles Robinson. After his second goal, Pulisic celebrated with a a worm dance.

With fans still fretting after the Americans' failure to reach the 2018 World Cup, the U.S. assumed a commanding position to qualify for the November tournament in Qatar. Pulisic, a 23-year-old who last year with Chelsea became the first American to play and win a Champions League final, increased his total to 21 international goals, including 12 in World Cup qualifying. After reaching the World Cup for the first time in 2018, Panama was eliminated. Arriola, all of 5-foot-6, outjumped the 5-foot-11 Davis for his ninth international goal — just the second goal on a header in his professional career. After his second goal, Pulisic celebrated with a pair of pushups.

Christian Pulisic scored his first international hat trick, leading the United States to the brink of returning to the World Cup with a 5-1 rout of Panama.

Christian Pulisic scored his first international hat trick, leading the United States to the brink of returning to the World Cup with a 5-1 rout of Panama.

ORLANDO, Fla. — (AP) — Forward Jesús Ferreira, winger Paul Arriola, midfielder Luca de la Torre and right back Shaq Moore entered the United States' starting lineup for Sunday night's World Cup qualifier against Panama as coach Gregg Berhalter made four changes. Moore, summoned from Spain on short notice, replaced DeAndre Yedlin and Arriola took over from Tim Weah. Yedlin and Arriola served one-game suspensions after getting their second yellow cards of qualifying during Thursday night's 0-0 draw at Mexico. De la Torre replaced Kellyn Acosta and Ferreira entered in place of Ricardo Pepi, with Berhalter looking for goals from crosses. Adams, Miles Robinson, Steffen and Jordan Pefok entered with yellow cards and with another yellow would be suspended for Wednesday’s finale at Costa Rica.

Forward Jesús Ferreira, winger Paul Arriola, midfielder Luca de la Torre and right back Shaq Moore entered the United States’ starting lineup for a World Cup qualifier against Panama as coach Gregg Berhalter made four changes.

With a dazzling 14-touch run.

The U.S. and Mexico finish in an intense scoreless draw played before a half-capacity stadium due to sanctions imposed over fans' anti-gay slurs.

Christian Pulisic had the best U.S. chances but was twice denied by goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa. Zack Steffen got the start over Ethan Hovath and came away with his second shutout against Mexico in qualifying. The draw, the third straight in qualifying for the U.S. in the thin air of 7,200-foot elevation Azteca, was costly. The U.S. maintained second place in North and Central America and the Caribbean with 22 points, four behind Canada, and ahead of Mexico on goal difference. Yedlin received his second yellow for an unecessary slide tackle in midfield in the 26th minute, leaving the U.S. short at right back for Sunday.

The United States escaped a half-full Estadio Azteca with a gritty 0-0 draw against Mexico and moved into position to all but clinch a World Cup berth with a victory at home against Panama this weekend.

US Wcup Soccer United States´ goalie Zack Steffen goes for a ball during a training session ahead of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualifying soccer match against Mexico, at Azteca stadium in Mexico City, Wednesday, March 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo) (Eduardo Verdugo)MEXICO CITY — (AP) — Zack Steffen was in goal as U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter used an “A” team lineup and changed five starters Thursday night for a World Cup qualifier against Mexico at Estadio Azteca. Steffen, bothered by back spasms, had been supplanted by Matt Turner, who started eight of the first 11 qualifiers. Pulisic, Acosta and Yedlin also started the 1-1 draw at Mexico in a 2017 qualifier. ___More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsCopyright 2022 The Associated Press.

Zack Steffen was in goal as U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter used an “A” team lineup and changed five starters for a World Cup qualifier against Mexico at Estadio Azteca.

The U.S. could clinch a return to soccer's showcase with two games to spare if it wins Thursday night, Panama loses at home to last-place Honduras and Costa Rica fails to win at home against first-place Canada. Obviously, without accomplishing it last time around, it’s been a massive goal of mine and this team’s,” Pulisic said Wednesday. Panama is fourth with 17 points, followed by Costa Rica with 16 and El Salvador with nine. More accustomed to the thin air at altitude 7,200 feet (2,200 meters) than opponents, El Tri has 40 wins, nine draws and two losses in qualifiers at Azteca, the defeats to Costa Rica in 2001 and Honduras in 2013. He worked the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup final, a 1-0 U.S. loss to Mexico at Chicago’s Soldier Field.

(AP Photo/Ian Walton) (Ian Walton)NEW YORK — (AP) — Gio Reyna, Jordan Pefok and Ethan Horvath are back for the United States' final World Cup qualifiers but Sergiño Dest appears likely to miss the three games. A short time before U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter announced his 27-man roster Thursday, Dest grabbed his left hamstring and limped off in the 56th minute of Barcelona's Europa League match at Galatasaray. Seventeen players are Europe-based and 10 from Major League Soccer. Reyna, a son of former U.S. captain Claudio Reyna, was hurt in the opening qualifier at El Salvador on Sept. 2 and was sidelined until Feb. 6. The roster:Goalkeepers: Ethan Horvath (Nottingham Forest, England), Sean Johnson (New York City), and Zack Steffen (Manchester City, England).

Gio Reyna, Jordan Pefok and Ethan Horvath are back for the United States’ final World Cup qualifiers but Sergiño Dest appears likely to miss the three games.

“The pregame conversation with him was you’re still going to affect the game, just in a different role. “It’s my job to come in and make a difference, and I’m glad I did that,” Pulisic said. Pulisic returned to the field for Chelsea on Nov. 2 and scored the go-ahead goal on his first touch when he entered 10 days later to lead the U.S. over Mexico. Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel, dealing with injuries, has at times shifted Pulisic from wide midfield to center forward and wingback. So it’s never easy when you’re a player, a high-profile player, and you’re not in the form of your life.

Christian Pulisic scored the final goal in a 3-0 victory by the United States over Honduras in a World Cup qualifier after being benched to start the game.

WCup El Salvador US Soccer El Salvador's Roberto Dominguez, left, and United States' Christian Pulisic compete for possession during the first half of a FIFA World Cup qualifying soccer match, Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022, in Columbus, Ohio. Pulisic, the top U.S. player, had subpar performances in the 1-0 win over El Salvador and the 2-0 loss at Canada. CONCACAF does not manage or run these matches, FIFA does, along with the individual federations.”De la Torre was making his first international start and fifth appearance, and Cannon his first qualifying start. Morris, back from a torn ACL, made his second qualifying start and first since Sept. 5, 2017, at Honduras. Honduras coach Hernán Darío Gómez made eight changes from Sunday's 2-0 loss at home to El Salvador, a defeat that eliminated the winless Catrachos with four games remaining.

WCup El Salvador US Soccer El Salvador's Roberto Dominguez, left, and United States' Christian Pulisic compete for possession during the first half of a FIFA World Cup qualifying soccer match, Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) (Julio Cortez)ST. PAUL, Minn. — (AP) — Christian Pulisic was benched as U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter changed seven starters for Wednesday night's World Cup qualifier against Honduras in chilly St. Paul, where the temperature at kickoff was forecast for 3-4 degrees (minus-16 Celsius). Pulisic, the top U.S. player, had subpar performances in the 1-0 win over El Salvador and the 2-0 loss at Canada. Morris, back from a torn ACL, made his second qualifying start and first since Sept. 5, 2017, at Honduras. Honduras coach Hernán Darío Gómez made eight changes from Sunday's 2-0 loss at home to El Salvador, a defeat that eliminated the winless Catrachos with four games remaining.

Christian Pulisic was benched as U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter changed seven starters for a World Cup qualifier against Honduras in chilly St. Paul, where the temperature at kickoff was 3 degrees (minus-16 Celsius) with a minus-14 windchill.

Midfielders and defenders are the players providing the goals the United States needs to reach the World Cup.

Jordan Morris, Tim Weah, Sergiño Dest and Gyasi Zardes returned from injuries to make the U.S. roster ahead of the next three World Cup qualifiers.

Britain Soccer Premier League Chelsea?? ?s second goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Stamford Bridge in London, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022. It left City 10 points clear from Chelsea at the top of the Premier League with Liverpool a further point back. Elbowing César Azpilicueta in the face while trying to beat the Chelsea captain, Mane immediately faced action from the referee. But he escaped with only a booking -- the earliest recorded in a Premier League match.

For the first time since top-tier English soccer stadiums were ordered to be all-seater in 1994, thousands of Chelsea supporters have been able to legally stand again at a Premier League match without being ordered to sit.

Britain Soccer Premier League Chelsea?? ?s second goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Stamford Bridge in London, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022. It left City 10 points clear from Chelsea at the top of the Premier League with Liverpool a further point back. Elbowing César Azpilicueta in the face while trying to beat the Chelsea captain, Mane immediately faced action from the referee. But he escaped with only a booking -- the earliest recorded in a Premier League match.

Christian Pulisic completed Chelsea’s fightback against Liverpool for a 2-2 draw in the Premier League.

Cole Bassett scored in the 89th minute of his U.S. national team debut and the Americans set a record for victories in a calendar year with a 1-0 exhibition win over 10-man Bosnia and Herzegovina.

As much as American soccer players want wins, they crave respect.

WCup Mexico US Soccer United States' Weston McKennie celebrates his goal with Tyler Adams, left, and Christian Pulisic during the second half of a FIFA World Cup qualifying soccer match against Mexico, Friday, Nov. 12, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) (Julio Cortez)CINCINNATI — (AP) — Christian Pulisic sent a message — with his head and his undershirt. Pulisic scored on his very first touch in the 74th minute, Weston McKennie added a goal in the 85th and the Americans beat Mexico 2-0 Friday night in a World Cup qualifier — the "Dos a Cero" scoreline that became traditional early in the 21st century. The U.S. won four straight home qualifiers against Mexico by 2-0, all at Columbus, Ohio, before falling 2-1 in November 2016 at Crew Stadium. That started the skid that led to the Americans missing the 2018 World Cup.

Christian Pulisic scored on a glancing header with his first touch of the game in the 74th minute and Weston McKennie added a goal in the 85th to lift the United States over Mexico 2-0 in a World Cup qualifier.

United States center back Chris Richards is adapting well to life in Europe and has become a regular starter on loan at Hoffenheim.

Robert Lewandowski has scored a hat trick on his 100th Champions League appearance to lead Bayern Munich into the last-16 with a 5-2 rout of Benfica.

Getting through the first six games of World Cup qualifying has taken a village for the United States.

Anibal Godoy scored in the 54th minute and Panama upended the United States 1-0 in a World Cup qualifier Sunday night when American coach Gregg Berhalter started a largely second-string lineup in the middle of another hectic stretch of three matches in seven days. Christian Pulisic, Gio Reyna and Weston McKennie were out with injuries, Tyler Adams and Brenden Aaronson were on the bench, and Antonee Robinson didn't travel because of British COVID-19 restrictions that would have required a quarantine on his return to England.

World Cup qualifying has become a game for the young, with stamina to withstand travel and short recovery time.

Ricardo Pepi scored twice early in the second half, becoming at 18 the youngest American with goals in consecutive World Cup qualifiers, and the United States dominated Jamaica in a 2-0 victory.

(AP Photo/Moises Castillo) (Moises Castillo)The British government is keeping Panama on its red list, which means the United States may have to play without star Christian Pulisic and several other U.K.-based players for its World Cup qualifier at the Central American nation on Oct. 10. The U.S. plays at Panama between home matches against Jamaica on Oct. 7 at Austin, Texas, and vs. Costa Rica on Oct. 13 at Columbus, Ohio. An Oct. 10 match in Panama followed by the game in Columbus would rule out Pulisic from playing for Chelsea in its Premier League match at Brentford on Oct. 16 and a home Champions League game against Malmö on Oct. 20. “Christian Pulisic is in individual training and trying to come back as fast as possible to team training," Chelsea manager Thomas Tuechel said Friday. While eight countries are being removed from the red list as of next Wednesday, Panama was not among those being changed.

The British government is keeping Panama on its red list, which means the United States may have to play without star Christian Pulisic and several other players for its World Cup qualifier at the Central American nation on Oct. 10.

Panicking American soccer fans were soothed when the U.S. rallied from a halftime deficit to win 4-1 at Honduras in World Cup qualifying.

Honduras US Wcup Soccer United States' Ricardo Pepi, left, celebrates scoring his side's second goal against Honduras during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2021. Robinson scored in the 48th minute and Pepi, starting in his international debut, in the 75th. Aaronson, who scored his first goal in Sunday’s 1-1 draw against Canada, added his goal on a counter off a feed from Pepi. “Maybe we thought it was going to be easier than it was going down to El Salvador, Honduras. Notes: Canada beat visiting El Salvador 3-0 on goals by Atiba Hutchison, Jonathan David and Tajon Buchanan.

Antonee Robinson and Ricardo Pepi scored their first international goals after a halftime change in formation, Brenden Aaronson and Sebastian Lletget added late goals and the United States revived its World Cup qualifying campaign with a 4-1 win over Honduras.

Honduras US Wcup Soccer United States head coach Gregg Berhalter walks on the pitch during a training session ahead of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualifying soccer match between Honduras and the United States in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2021. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo) (Moises Castillo)SAN PEDRO SULA, Honduras — (AP) — Forward Ricardo Pepi was given his U.S. national team debut as under-pressure coach Gregg Berhalter changed five starters for Wednesday night’s World Cup qualifier at Honduras. Defenders George Bello, Mark McKenzie and James Sands also were inserted into the lineup along with forward Josh Sargent. Pepi, Bello, McKenzie and Sands were making their World Cup qualifying debuts. ___More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsCopyright 2021 The Associated Press.

Forward Ricardo Pepi was given his U.S. national team debut as under-pressure coach Gregg Berhalter changed five starters for Wednesday night’s World Cup qualifier at Honduras.

Less than a week into World Cup qualifying, much has gone wrong for the United States, which is back at another challenging Central American stadium. The Americans play Honduras on Wednesday night with intense pressure, key absences and a messy discipline issue following disappointing draws against El Salvador and Canada. And the thing is, we haven’t lost a game in qualifying. With Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Tyler Adams, Gio Reyna and Sergiño Dest, they headed into qualifying with what appeared to be their most-talented roster. That’s what qualifying is going to be.

Two starters are injured, another tested positive for COVID-19 and a fourth was sent home as punishment.

Players walked off the field dejected and nervous American fans are in an uproar.

U.S. star Christian Pulisic returned after missing Thursday’s opening 0-0 draw at El Salvador while regaining fitness following a positive COVID-19 test. 59 Canada, which hosts El Salvador on Wednesday, lost Davis to an injury midway through the second half. Jordan Prefok sent the ball to Pulisic and Tyler Adams, who gave it back to Prefok. Pulisic had the best U.S. chance in the first half, putting a shot off a post in the 40th minute. ... El Salvador played its second 0-0 draw, this time against Honduras.

The remade U.S. soccer team quickly got itself into trouble in World Cup qualifying, wasting Brenden Aaronson’s second-half goal when Cyle Larin scored to lift Canada into a 1-1 draw.

Christian Pulisic is uncertain for the United States’ World Cup qualifier against Canada on Sunday night, and goalkeeper Zack Steffen remains sidelined by back spasms.

Bumpy field, outdated stadiums.

The United States showed promise but no ability to finish in its pandemic-delayed World Cup qualifying opener, drawing 0-0 at El Salvador in the type of Central American stadium that repeatedly has stymied the Americans.

El Salvador US Wcup Soccer An El Salvador fan cheers prior a qualifying soccer match against United States for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 at Cuscatlan stadium in San Salvador, El Salvador, Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo) (Moises Castillo)SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador — (AP) — Nine U.S. starters were set to make their World Cup qualifying debuts against El Salvador on Thursday night, matching the most since 1996. Yedlin was the only player left over from the starting lineup in the October 2017 loss at Trinidad and Tobago that ended the Americans' streak of seven World Cup appearances. 64 El Salvador is seeking its first World Cup appearance since 1982. ___More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsCopyright 2021 The Associated Press.

Nine U.S. starters were set to make their World Cup qualifying debuts against El Salvador, matching the most since 1996.

A new-look U.S. soccer team opens World Cup qualifying in El Salvador on Thursday night, four years after a loss at Trinidad and Tobago ended a streak of seven straight appearances for the Americans in soccer's showcase.

U.S. star Christian Pulisic and goalkeeper Zack Steffen will miss the Americans’ opening World Cup qualifier at El Salvador on Thursday night.

U.S. star Christian Pulisic did not travel with the team to El Salvador on Wednesday and will miss the Americans' opening World Cup qualifier. Pulisic, the top American player, is recovering after testing positive for COVID-19. The 22-year-old missed Chelsea's 2-0 win at Arsenal on Aug. 22 and a 1-1 draw at Liverpool on Saturday.

Jayson Tatum was 15 when he made his first USA Basketball national team.

Christian Pulisic converted a penalty kick in the 114th minute, backup goalkeeper Ethan Horvath stopped Andrés Guardado’s penalty kick in the 124th minute and the United States overcame an early defensive blunder to beat Mexico 3-2 in a final of the first CONCACAF Nations League that turned on three video reviews.

CONCACAF US Honduras Soccer United States' Christian Pulisic (10) moves the ball as Honduras' Kevin Álvarez defends during the first half of a CONCACAF Nations League soccer semifinal Thursday, June 3, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey) (Jack Dempsey)DENVER — (AP) — Jordan Siebatcheu scored his first international goal in the 89th minute, and the United States beat Honduras 1-0 on Thursday night to reach the final of the first CONCACAF Nations League. John Brooks lofted a pass to Weston McKennie, who cushioned a one-hop headed pass ahead of Siebatcheu’s pass. Siebatcheu was born in Washington, D.C., grew up in France and was eligible to play for both those nations and Cameroon. The U.S. will play the championship match of the inaugural CONCACAF Nations League on Sunday, the last time the full American player pool will gather before their pandemic-delayed World Cup qualifying opener on Sept. 2.

Jordan Siebatcheu scored his first international goal in the 89th minute, and the United States beat Honduras 1-0 to reach the final of the first CONCACAF Nations League.

Portugal Soccer Champions League Final Manchester City's Kyle Walker, left, fights for the ball with Chelsea's Christian Pulisic during the Champions League final soccer match between Manchester City and Chelsea at the Dragao Stadium in Porto, Portugal, Saturday, May 29, 2021. (Pierre Philippe Marcou/Pool via AP) (Pierre Philippe Marcou)PORTO, Portugal — (AP) — Christian Pulisic has become the first American man to play in a Champions League final. The Chelsea forward came on as a substitute in the 66th minute with the London club leading Manchester City 1—0 in Porto on Saturday. The 22-year-old Pulisic, who joined Chelsea in 2019, had a chance to double the lead when he lifted the ball over Ederson but wide in the 73rd. ___More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsCopyright 2021 The Associated Press.