USMNT Faces Challenges Ahead of Upcoming Fixtures Due to Key Player Absences

The absence of Tyler Adams represents a considerable setback for the US Men’s National Team (USMNT), as the defensive midfielder has been a consistent starter for the national team over the past five years and is seen as a pivotal figure for the upcoming 2026 season. Adams suffered a collision with teammate Adam Smith during the first half of Bournemouth’s Premier League match against Aston Villa on Sunday. Despite the incident, he played the full 90 minutes of the game.

This situation opens the door for Tillman, who has had limited opportunities with the USMNT. After making a one-time switch to represent the United States in 2023, he is no longer eligible to play for Germany and has made only one appearance for the U.S. since his commitment. Notably, he is the brother of Bayer Leverkusen star Malik Tillman, who has earned 25 caps with the national team. At the club level, Tillman has been impressive for LAFC, which is considered a strong contender for the MLS Cup, bolstered by a formidable attacking duo that includes Denis Bouanga, with a Western Conference semifinal against Vancouver approaching in two weeks.

Adams’ removal is particularly unfortunate for the U.S. as they are already missing several key players ahead of two challenging fixtures. Christian Pulisic has not been included in the roster and will remain in Milan to continue his recovery from a hamstring injury. The attacking midfielder managed to play 30 minutes for AC Milan during their 2-2 draw against struggling Parma on Saturday. Additionally, Crystal Palace’s Chris Richards is absent, and Juventus’ Weston McKennie was not selected for Pochettino’s squad.

The USMNT faces a tough schedule next week, beginning with a match against Paraguay on November 15 in Chester, Pennsylvania. Following that, they will host Uruguay in Tampa, with Marcelo Bielsa’s team currently ranked No. 15 in the FIFA rankings.