Weston McKennie leaves USMNT squad due to knee injury

Weston McKennie will play no further part in the U.S. men’s national team’s schedule this month.

McKennie has left the USMNT squad due to an aggravated left knee tendinopothy, U.S. Soccer announced Saturday. There will be no replacement for McKennie on the November roster ahead of Monday’s CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinal second leg trip to Trinidad & Tobago.

The USMNT won its first leg 3-0 against the Soca Warriors on Thursday in Austin, Texas thanks to goals from Ricardo Pepi, Antonee Robinson, and Gio Reyna.

McKennie was the victim of two hard challenges from T&T’s Noah Powder during the match, both of which led to yellow cards being given to Powder. The veteran midfielder was ejected in the 38th minute after his second challenge on McKennie.

Pepi’s goal in the 82nd minute broke the deadlock from Q2 Stadium before insurance goals from Robinson and Reyna helped pad the USMNT’s aggregate lead.

McKennie’s absence could force Gregg Berhalter into several different lineup decisions. Both Yunus Musah and Reyna partnered McKennie in the heart of the USMNT’s midfield on Thursday.

Lennard Maloney, Luca De La Torre, and Paxten Aaronson are all midfield options who were unused substitutes for the first leg.

The USMNT has defeated Trinidad & Tobago in each of its last four head-to-head matches. Should the Americans advance, they would reach the Nations League semifinals (March 2024) and the 2024 Copa America.