Interim USMNT head coach Varas explains Robinson and McKennie omissions

 Two U.S. men's national team mainstays were not on the roster for September friendlies, and it wasn't because they were injured.

Antonee Robinson and Weston McKennie were both left off the 24-man squad that will face Canada on Saturday and New Zealand three days later.



U.S. Soccer has consulted with the players and their clubs regarding the current roster, with interim USMNT head coach Mikey Varas explaining that the pair would be better served staying where they are this international break.

Regarding Fulham left back Robinson, the chance to rest back with his club was deemed more beneficial then a pair of relatively unimportant friendlies.

"Jedi [Robinson] has been playing banged up for the last year, and the best thing for him at this moment is to stay back, reset, and get ready for a long, grueling Premier League season," Varas said of the USMNT's unquestioned starter at left back.

"At the end of the day, we work with the player because the best thing for them long term is the best thing for the national team.” 

McKennie, meanwhile, didn't fully participate in preseason with Juventus as it appeared the club was ready to sell him. Instead, just like he did last summer, the midfielder worked his way back into the plans of a head coach that initially seemed to have little use for him.



For that reason, the 26-year-old will stay in Italy and keep trying to earn a larger role with the Bianconeri.

"In the case of Weston McKennie he wasn't able to do a full preseason, so the best thing for him in collaboration with player, club and country is to leave him at Juventus and let him catch up and get ready for his season," Varas said.

No doubt another factor in the pair's absence is that Mauricio Pochettino won't be in charge of the USMNT this window, as the Argentine has yet to be officially named head coach. Were Pochettino at the helm, there may have been a greater incentive for some players to attend camp and try to make a positive first impression.


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