\n
FAYETTEVILLE, Ga. (AP) – Anthony Robinson was enjoying a smoothie with his wife and dog in a parking lot in Connecticut on the 13th hole of a golf course in rural England when he heard the news about Gio Reyna.<\/p>\n
Cristian Roldan shoved his cell phone in his pocket during a Seattle Sounders team meeting.<\/p>\n
“I just wanted it to feel and vibrate,” he says.<\/p>\n
American players spread across North America and Europe were informed of coach Mauricio Pochettino’s notice. world cup<\/span> Picks will arrive via WhatsApp on May 22nd at 1pm ET.<\/p>\nChris Brady, hoping to earn the No. 3 goalie spot, was in the Central time zone waiting nervously with his Chicago Fire teammates.<\/p>\n
“Twelve o’clock struck and nothing came. … What does that mean?” he recalled thinking. “But yeah, I got the message eventually.”<\/p>\n
Ahead of the World Cup opener against Paraguay on June 12, players gathered at the new U.S. National Soccer Training Center in Trilis and a nearby hotel to relax after competing in the sport’s premier event.<\/p>\n
“It was pure elation,” said 27-year-old defender Mark McKenzie. “Four years of hard work and sacrifice. Obviously not being able to compete in ’22 was heartbreaking, but that directly translated into just motivation to make sure my name is on that roster next time.”<\/p>\n
McKenzie left his film camera in France and is playing in Toulouse as he rushes to the United States.<\/p>\n
Robinson, who at 28 is still the first choice at left-back since he started four years ago, hasn’t allowed himself to think too far ahead during the season. Recovery from knee surgery in May 2025 is difficult<\/span> His first Premier League start for Fulham this season has been delayed until mid-December.<\/p>\nHe was on the 13th hole at Pyford Lakes in Woking when the phone rang.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was playing bad, and I was playing bad after that, but I was much happier,\u201d he said. \u201cIt was a year of ups and downs for me personally, so I was very relieved.\u201d<\/p>\n
Reyna is the son of former American army captain Claudio Reyna. Infamously almost sent home<\/span> He was suspended from the 2022 tournament by then-coach Gregg Berhalter due to a lack of hustle during training. He had an excellent season with Borussia M\u00f6nchengladbach in Germany, but his status was unclear as he did not start after December 19th.<\/p>\nPochettino was with his wife Chloe and their one-year-old Cavapoo, Melo, in the Barbida suburb of Norwalk, Conn., when Pochettino’s video message was played.<\/p>\n
“I was sitting in the car,” the 23-year-old midfielder recalled. “We were both a little nervous and didn’t want to go home.”<\/p>\n
Roldan, who was part of the 2022 squad and missed the game in Qatar, received a touching hug from his brother Alex, a Sounders teammate. Cristian has not played for the United States since July 2023 He was called up for the first time under manager Pochettino in September last year.<\/span>.<\/p>\n“There was a lot of doubt in my mind, but there was also a glimmer of hope,” he said. “Each camp I don’t hear my name called and I feel like my chances are going down as I get further into the cycle. So, absolutely, I started doubting myself a little bit. And then I started playing a little bit more freely.”<\/p>\n
Son of midfielder Sebastian Berhalter former coach<\/span>it wasn’t his Representative debut<\/span> Until June of last year. After getting the WhatsApp video, Sebastian called his father, who is now a coach for the Chicago Fire, then his mother and sisters.<\/p>\n“We barely had any conversation. My mom started crying right away, then my sister started crying, and then I started crying too,” Sebastian said. “I just told them I love them. I really appreciate all the sacrifices they’ve made over the years, especially my mom. Yeah, I probably cried for about 45 seconds.”<\/p>\n
Auston Trusty was in a hotel in Glasgow with his Celtic teammates ahead of the Scottish Cup final against Dunfermline and fellow defenders the following day. alex freeman<\/span> He was in an apartment in Spain with his father, Super Bowl champion Antonio Freeman.<\/p>\n“I was definitely checking my phone every minute,” Alex Freeman said. “We were just waiting on the couch. When I got the call, it was a great bonding moment for us as a family.”<\/p>\n
Forward Alejandro Zendejas, 28, has not played for the United States since September, but was selected. He learned of his choice while in San Antonio with his family and girlfriend. Her father, Alfredo, broke down in tears.<\/p>\n
“I could hear his voice shaking, especially when he hugged me,” Zendejas said. \u201cHe started crying and I started crying too.\u201d<\/p>\n
Zendejas was also one of the players added to the roster bubble.<\/p>\n
“We joked about his jersey number being No. 26,” Roldan said of Zendejas. \u201cBoth him and I are probably some of the later players on the roster and we share that sentiment.\u201d<\/p>\n
Richards arrives<\/h2>\n
Defender Chris Richards arrived with Crystal Palace via Leipzig in Germany. UEFA Conference League Final<\/span> On Wednesday, the Eagles defeated Rayo Vallecano.<\/p>\nHe traveled from London to New York on Thursday and headed into Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Friday morning. Richards has not played since. ruptured two ankle ligaments<\/span> He will go straight to the training center on May 17th for a medical evaluation and will join Saturday’s practice.<\/p>\n___<\/p>\n
AP World Cup coverage: https:\/\/apnews.com\/hub\/fifa-world-cup<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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