CHICAGO (AP) — Alejandro Zendejas, a 24-year-old forward who played twice for Mexico, is among 13 players who could make their U.S. national team debut under interim coach Anthony Hudson at exhibitions against Serbia on January 25 and Colombia three days later.
Julian Gressel, a 29-year-old defender of German descent who obtained American citizenship in November, was also among the 24 players selected on Wednesday.
Hudson brought in five of the USA’s World Cup roster picked by coach Gregg Berhalter, who is under investigation by the United States Soccer Federation following an allegation of domestic abuse in 1991.
Others who could make their debuts include goalkeepers Roman Celentano and Gabriel Slonina; defenders DeJuan Jones, Jalen Neal, Sam Rogers and John Tolkin; midfielders Paxten Aaronson, Aidan Morris and Alan Soñora; and forwards Emmanuel Sabbi and Brandon Vazquez.
Because the games are not on FIFA international dates, the only survivors of the World Cup roster are goalkeeper Sean Johnson, defenders Aaron Long and Walker Zimmerman, midfielder Kellyn Acosta and striker Jesús Ferreira.
Paul Arriola, one of the last cuts in the World Cup roster, was also selected.
Seven of the 24 players are from outside Major League Soccer: defender Jonathan Gómez, striker Matthew Hoppe, Aaronson, Rogers, Sabbi, Slonina and Zendejas.
Aaronson, a 19-year-old midfielder who transferred this month from Philadelphia to Eintracht Frankfurt, could join 22-year-old midfielder Brenden as the eighth group of brothers to play for the United States, the first since Steve and Ken Snow in 1988 and ’89. Brenden, a Leeds regular, was on the World Cup roster.
Hudson, a former head coach of Bahrain, New Zealand, Newport in England and Colorado, was hired as coach of the USA Under-20 team in January 2020 and a year later became assistant coach of Berhalter. He will not be available for media to discuss the roster until Saturday, the USSF said.
Zendejas, who joined América from Mexico last January, was a teammate of Christian Pulisic, Tyler Adams and Vazquez in the USA team at the 2015 Under-17 World Cup, starting all three USA matches. Zendejas played for Mexico in exhibitions against Ecuador in October 2021 and Guatemala last April.
FIFA did not respond to a request for comment on Zendejas’ status.
Slonina, an 18-year-old transferred from Chicago to Chelsea, could become the youngest American goalkeeper. The brand was owned by Tony Meola aged 19 years and 106 days when it debuted on June 7, 1988.
Four MLS players from the United States World Cup roster have been omitted: right-backs DeAndre Yedlin of Miami and Shaq Moore of Nashville, as well as a pair of Seattle Sounders preparing for their match in opening of the Club World Cup on February 4: midfielder Cristian Roldan and striker Jordan Morris .
The United States takes on Serbia in Los Angeles and Colombia in Carson, California.
The list :
Goalkeepers: Roman Celentano (Cincinnati), Sean Johnson (no team), Gaga Slonina (Chelsea, England)
Defenders: Joanthan Gómez (Real Sociedad, Spain), Julian Gressel (Vancouver), DeJuan Jones (New England), Aaron Long (Los Angeles FC), Jalen Neal (LA Galaxy), Sam Rogers (Rosenborg, Norway), John Tolkin ( New York Red Bulls), Walker Zimmerman (Nashville)
Midfielders: Paxten Aaronson (Eintracht Frankfurt, Germany), Kellyn Acosta (Los Angeles FC), Aidan Morris (Columbus), Paxton Pomykal (Dallas), Alan Soñora (without club), Eryk Williamson (Portland)
Forwards: Paul Arriola (Dallas), Cade Cowell (San José), Jesús Ferreira (Dallas), Matthew Hoppe (Middlesbrough, England), Emmanuel Sabbi (Odense, Denmark), Brandon Vazquez (Cincinnati), Alejandro Zendejas (America)
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