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What Johnny Cardoso injury means for USMNT World Cup roster
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- What Johnny Cardoso injury means for USMNT World Cup roster
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As the May 26 announcement of the USMNT roster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup nears, at least one prominent name will not be on the team sheet. Atletico Madrid midfielder Johhny Cardoso will undergo ankle surgery , keeping him off the U.S. national team for the tournament. What does this mean for manager Maurico Pochettino as he constructs his final team sheet?
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The midfielder has 23 caps for the USMNT and was in strong consideration to make the final roster, adding depth behind star midfielders Tyler Adams ( Bournemouth ) and Weston McKennie ( Juventus ). While Cardoso 's playing time and production at Atletico have been up and down, he is the American who went the furthest in the Champions League this season, and his talent is undeniable.
With Cardoso out, it may open up a spot for other midfielders like Sebastian Berhalter ( Vancouver Whitecaps ), Carlos Roldan (Seattle Sounders), or Aidan Morris (Middlesbrough). If Pochettino decides to go with another more attack-minded option instead, it could pave the way for the polarizing Gio Reyna ( Borussia Monchengladbach ) to make the final squad heading to the U.S.-Mexico-Canada World Cup.
Midfielder Tanner Tessmann (Lyon) is also dealing with an injury and is out for the rest of the Ligue 1 season. So, there is a chance that all four of the players mentioned above make the squad now if Tessmann can't go, either.
Cardoso, 24, was born in New Jersey to Brazilian parents and moved back to their native country as a baby. He grew up playing for Brazilian youth clubs and made his professional debut at 18 for SC Internacional in Porto Alegre, Brazil. At 22, he moved to Real Betis in Spain's LaLiga, then to Atletico Madrid, one of the top teams in Spain, in 2025.
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