ZACK STEFFEN

Gio Reyna, Joe Scally and Yusuf Musah were 11 years old the last time the United States took the field in a World Cup match.

In its 26-man roster, the U.S. men's national team is leaning on Christian Pulisic and other young stars as it looks to turn the page from its shocking failure to qualify for the 2018 tournament.

Ricardo Pepi, Jordan Pefok and Ricardo Pepi were among those left off of the USMNT's World Cup roster.

Then just over a dozen were dealt the devastation of missing the cut, Ricardo Pepi and Zack Steffen among them. Tim Ream, Haji Wright, Joe Scally and Sean Johnson made it. Norwich's Josh Sargent and Antalyspor's Wright beat out Pepi, the 19-year-old whose three goals in qualifying were second behind Christian Pulisic's five. "He’s playing in the best league in the world and he's playing at a very high level,” Berhalter said. Berhalter, the first former U.S. player to coach the Americans at a World Cup, reminded those who fell short of how he was left off the roster in 2006.

He chose to take Haji Wright, Tim Ream, Shaq Moore and Cristian Roldan to Qatar for the 2022 World Cup. That keeper was Zack Steffen, and while his exclusion won't be the most consequential of the bunch, it was the most surprising of Berhalter's seven biggest roster snubs. He burst onto the scene with FC Dallas, chose the USMNT over Mexico, and scored a couple massive World Cup qualifying goals. He started all four games in May and June of 2021, and one World Cup qualifier each in September and October. That versatility seemed to make him a valuable World Cup asset.

Alexi Lalas is reacting live to the USMNT roster reveal for the 2022 World Cup with a live episode of "Alexi Lalas' State of the Union" podcast.

As the United States released its final roster ahead of Qatar on Wednesday, the decision not to bring Zack Steffen is perhaps the most surprising of all.

The U.S. World Cup roster had some surprises: Ricardo Pepi was left off along with Zack Steffen, Paul Arriola and Jordan Pefok.

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.

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.

NEW YORK — (AP) — 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. Berhalter plans to announce his 26-man World Cup roster on Nov. 9, 12 days before the Americans’ opener at the tournament in Qatar. Back in the World Cup after missing the 2018 tournament, the U.S. opens against 20th-ranked Wales on Nov. 21, plays No. 5 England in a Black Friday matchup four days later and closes group play on Nov. 29 against 21st-ranked Iran. Berhalter’s roster will average 24 years, 201 days as of the start of training on Monday.

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.

The World Cup roster will be unveiled on Nov. 9. Full USMNT roster for September campBerhalter called in 26 players in total. He is the undisputed starting left back, and his World Cup status is not in question. He spearheaded a comeback in Honduras and a win over Jamaica to steady a wobbling World Cup qualifying campaign. He recently moved to Groningen in the Netherlands on loan, seemingly in an attempt to revive his World Cup hopes.

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.

Quadruple-chasing Liverpool reached a first FA Cup final in a decade helped by Manchester City goalkeeper Zack Steffen's blunder.

The tame back pass from John Stones trickled toward Zack Steffen. Just a simple clearance was needed by Manchester City’s backup goalkeeper with Liverpool already leading. Before the ball could be hoofed clear, Sadio Mane raced into the penalty area and slid in to nudge the ball over the line.

The U.S. will learn on Friday which three nations it will face in the group stage of the World Cup, which starts Nov. 21.

The U.S. will learn on Friday which three nations it will face in the group stage of the World Cup, which starts Nov. 21. The men's team returns after a 2018 loss that broke its qualifying streak.

The United States men are returning to the World Cup after the anguish of missing the 2018 tournament, clinching a berth for this year’s championship in Qatar despite a 2-0 loss to Costa Rica on the final night of qualifying.

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.

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.

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.

(AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo) (Eduardo Verdugo)MEXICO CITY — (AP) — Invisible for much of World Cup qualifying, either Ethan Horvath or Zack Steffen is likely to have a key role in the final stretch. Steffen was viewed as the top American goalkeeper going into qualifying, but was sidelined by back spasms last September. When back spasms sidelined Steffen again, Turner took over for the three winter matches and then finalized a high-profile transfer to Arsenal this summer. After not getting into a game for five months, Horvath has started seven straight club matches. With about 20 family and friends at the match, Horvath saved Andrés Guardado’s penalty kick in the 124th minute, and the U.S. won 3-2.

Zack Steffen was picked over Ethan Horvath to be in goal at Estadio Azteca when the United States opened the final qualifying window against Mexico.

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.

(AP Photo/Rui Vieira) (Rui Vieira)LONDON — (AP) — When the FA Cup fourth-round game entered stoppage time, West Ham was facing a humiliating loss to sixth-tier side Kidderminster. Even after Marcos Alonso scored at the end of the first half of extra time, Plymouth still had a chance to level. LAMPARD'S DEBUT JOYFired by Chelsea a year ago, Frank Lampard began his return to management at Everton with a 4-1 win over Premier League rival Brentford. After Richarlison had doubled Everton's advantage shortly after halftime, Ivan Toney pulled one back for the west London club with a penalty. CITY RALLIESManchester City was stunned by Fabio Carvalho putting Fulham ahead after four minutes but the Premier League champions quickly leveled through Ilkay Gundogan and went on to eliminate the second-tier side.

Chelsea and West Ham had to come from behind to oust lower-league opposition in the FA Cup to reach the fifth round.

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.

As long as the United States wins its final three home games, the Americans likely will get back to the World Cup.

Jamaica US Wcup Soccer United States' Tim Weah celebrates scoring his side's opening goal against Jamaica during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 in Kingston, Jamaica, Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021. The Americans started the second half of World Cup qualifying with a bumpy 1-1 draw against Jamaica on Tuesday night. On the disallowed goal, Jamaica coach Theodore Whitmore didn't have a good view from the sideline. CONCACAF does not use video review in World Cup qualifiers. With Jamaica playing on the 24th anniversary of clinching its only World Cup appearance, Antonio scored the longest-distance goal in the final round of CONCACAF qualifying.

Tim Weah’s 11th-minute goal was matched by Michail Antonio’s spectacular 34-yard strike in the 22nd minute, leaving the United States with a 1-1 draw against Jamaica in a World Cup qualifier.

Jamaica U.S. WCup Soccer United States' players warm up during a training session ahead of the World Cup 2022 qualifying soccer match against Jamaica in Kingston, Monday, Nov. 15, 2021. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano) (Fernando Llano)KINGSTON, Jamaica — (AP) — Defender Chris Richards and midfielder Gianluca Busio entered the U.S. lineup for Tuesday night’s match at Jamaica as the Americans started their second-youngest lineup ever in a World Cup qualifier. The pair replaced defender Miles Robinson, suspended for a red card, and midfielder Weston McKennie, suspended for yellow card accumulation. Right back Javain Brown, central defender Liam Moore and midfielder Lamar Walker also entered the lineup. Holdovers included goalkeeper Andre Blake, central defender Damion Lowe, left back Kemar Lawrence, midfielders Je-Vaughn Watson and Damion Lowe, and wingers Bobby Decordova-Reid and Leon Bailey.

Defender Chris Richards and midfielder Gianluca Busio entered the U.S. lineup for a match at Jamaica as the Americans started their second-youngest lineup ever in a World Cup qualifier.

Zack Steffen is in quite an unusual position: The No. 2 goalkeeper with Manchester City is No. 1 with the United States. New England's Matt Turner started the first five U.S. qualifiers, and Steffen took over for the 2-1 win over Costa Rica last month.

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

CINCINNATI — (AP) — Miles Robinson and Walker Zimmerman were paired in central defense in front of goalkeeper Zack Steffen for the United States’ World Cup qualifier against Mexico on Friday night. U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter changed just two starters from last month’s 2-1 win over Costa Rica, inserting DeAndre Yedlin at right back for injured Sergiño Dest and Zimmerman for Chris Richards. The American front six remained unchanged, with Tyler Adams in defensive midfield, Weston McKennie and Yunus Musah in advanced midfield, Tim Weah and Brenden Aaronson on the wings and Ricardo Pepi up front. Eight U.S. starters are 24 and younger, all but Steffen, Yedlin and Zimmerman. Miles Robinson was the only holdover from the CONCACAF Gold Cup final at Las Vegas on Aug. 1, when he scored in the 117th minute for a 1-0 victory.

He tied it when Weston McKennie passed to Dest, who dished to Weah. Costa Rica, an aged team with a starting lineup that averaged more then 30 years old, has seven points. The Ticos scored after Steffen, the backup to Ederson at Manchester City, headed the ball to the right flank but over Dest. Weah switched the ball to Musah on the right flank, and he passed to Dest. Dest curled the ball around Mattarita with a left-foot shot just beyond the right hand of Navas for his second international goal.

Christian Pulisic and Gio Reyna are missing from the U.S. lineup because of injuries but Weston McKennie will start in a World Cup qualifier against Jamaica after missing two games for violating team COVID protocols.

Manchester City’s players fell behind during a game in the English League Cup for the first time in nearly four years but immediately put that right.

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.

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.

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.

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.

US Men's National Team Soccer Christian Pulisic, right, works out during a soccer practice for the U.S. Men's National Team Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey) (Mark Humphrey)NASHVILLE, Tenn. — (AP) — 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. Pulisic is regaining fitness after testing positive for COVID-19 and missed Thursday's qualifying opener at El Salvador, a 0-0 draw. U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter said Pulisic had made progress and was to be evaluated again later Saturday to determine whether he will be on Sunday's game-day roster. Pulisic, a 22-year-old attacker, missed Chelsea’s 2-0 win at Arsenal on Aug. 22 and a 1-1 draw at Liverpool on Aug. 28. ___More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsCopyright 2021 The Associated Press.

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.

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

SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador — (AP) — They landed on a charter flight, just three veterans of the devastating defeat four years earlier along with 20 fresh faces and a new coaching staff. Rebuilding over, the U.S. opens 2022 World Cup qualifying at El Salvador’s Estadio Cuscatlán on Thursday night missing two of its top starters, one because of COVID-19 and the other back spasms. El Salvador is led by coach Hugo Pérez, who had 73 appearances for the U.S. from 1984-94 and scored in a 1-0 qualifying win over El Salvador in 1989. He recruited nephew Joshua Pérez, a teammate of Pulisic and Adams at 2015 Under-17 World Cup who had three goals in the first two rounds of qualifying. Also on El Salvador is Álex Roldan, a brother and Seattle Sounders teammate of U.S. midfielder Cristian Roldan.

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.

Pulisic, the top American player and a regular with European champion Chelsea, is regaining fitness after testing positive for COVID-19. Berhalter said it is too early to determine whether Pulisic, who is fully vaccinated, will be available for Sunday's match. Brenden Aaronson or Konrad de la Fuente are the most likely replacements for Pulisic in the U.S. starting lineup. In his first season with second-tier Nottingham Forest, the 26-year-old Horvath has played two matches, in the League Cup on Aug. 11 and 24. Pulisic is the first American to play in and win a European Champions League final, helping Chelsea win the title last season.

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

CONCACAF Mexico United States Soccer Mexico's Diego Lainez (14) celebrates a goal against the United States during the second half of a CONCACAF Nations League championship soccer match, Sunday, June 6, 2021, in Denver. Panamanian referee John Pitti did not initially signal a penalty but consulted a video review and then pointed to the spot. Pulisic sent the ball to the upper corner past the left arm of goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa for his 16th international goal. The U.S. had to survive an extended 11 minutes of stoppage time following the second extra period. He followed his father, who scored against Mexico in a 4-0 exhibition win at Washington, D.C., in June 1995.

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.

American soccer players are piling up air miles -- all in preparation for unprecedented travel.

(Laurence Griffiths/Pool via AP)CHICAGO – Defender Bryan Reynolds received his first call-up to the U.S. national team after the 19-year-old made his debut for Roma last weekend. Chituru Odunze, an 18-year-old goalkeeper with Leicester, also could debut in exhibitions against Jamaica on March 25 at Wiener Neustadt, Austria, or three days later at Northern Ireland. Forward Matthew Hoppe, who has scored five goals for Schalke this season, was not called in for a possible debut. Germany), Luca de la Torre (Heracles, Netherlands), Sebastian Lletget (LA Galaxy), Yunus Musah (Valencia, Spain), Owen Otasowie (Wolverhampton, England). Forwards: Daryl Dike (Barnsley, England), Nicholas Gioacchini (Caen, France), Christian Pulisic (Chelsea, England), Gio Reyna (Borussia Dortmund, Germany), Josh Sargent (Werder Bremen, Germany), Tim Weah (Lille, France).

United States' Giovanni Reyna instructs his teammates during the international friendly soccer match between Wales and USA at Liberty stadium in Swansea, Wales, Thursday, Nov. 12, 2020. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)Gio Reyna walked onto the field for his U.S. national team debut, just like mom Danielle in 1993, just like dad Claudio in 1994. Reyna played 78 minutes Thursday night and was among six debuts for the Americans in a 0-0 tie against Wales in an exhibition at Swansea. And overall, a 17-year-old debuting and he didn’t look like that.”Claudio Reyna made 112 international appearances from 1994 to 2006, playing in three World Cups. Reyna was in a mobile and dynamic midfield, combining with 21-year-old Tyler Adams of Leipzig and 22-year-old Weston McKennie of Juventus.

Gio Reyna made his U.S. national soccer team debut against Wales at Swansea on Thursday night on the day before his 18th birthday, joining his father and mother as the first three-member family in American history to make international soccer appearances. Reyna and Musah became just the 12th and 13th players to make an appearance before turning 18. Claudio Reyna was a U.S. captain and played in three World Cups. He was 20 years, 5 months, 26 days when he made the first of 112 national team appearances as a 61st-minute substitute in an exhibition against Norway at Tempe, Arizona, on Jan. 15, 1994. Adams makes his first appearance since March 21, 2019, against Ecuador, and Robinson makes his first since June 5, 2019, against Jamaica.

Manchester City's goalkeeper Zack Steffen warms up ahead of the English League Cup third round soccer match between Manchester City and Bournemouth at the City of Manchester Stadium in Manchester, England, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2020. “I’m really happy with where I’m at right now,” Steffen said Tuesday. 1 over 36-year-old Brad Guzan, 29-year-old Bill Hamid and 31-year-old Sean Johnson heading into the start of 2022 World Cup qualifying next September. Xabier Mancisidor is the goalkeeper coach after following Manuel Pellegrini from Real Madrid and staying on. Their goalie coach is really detailed and is very eager to make me a better goalkeeper,” Steffen said.

NEW YORK The United States will open qualifying for the 2022 World Cup on the road next June, possibly back in Trinidad and Tobago where it was eliminated from reaching the 2018 tournament. The Americans will close their 14-match round in March 2022 at Costa Rica, where they have lost seven straight qualifiers. The Americans are among five nations with direct berths in the final round of qualifying known as the octagonal joined by Mexico, Costa Rica, Honduras and Jamaica. CONCACAF had used the hexagonal for the final round of qualifying for the World Cups of 1998 through 2018. Canada headed six teams seeded into first-round groups that play a single round robin, with two games each in October and November.