McKennie, Pulisic could make US debuts

CHICAGO — Midfielders Weston McKennie and Tyler Adams, 17-year-old forward Josh Sargent, defender Cameron Carter-Vickers and goalkeeper Jesse Gonzalez could make their U.S. national team debuts in a Nov. 14 exhibition at Portugal.

Defender Matt Miazga, midfielder Lynden Gooch and goalkeepers Ethan Horvath and Bill Hamid also are part of a young 21-man roster announced Tuesday by interim coach Dave Sarachan, who took over when Bruce Arena quit last month after the U.S. failed to qualify for next year’s World Cup. Half the players are 24 and under.

Christian Pulisic, the Americans’ star 19-year-old midfielder, is being given the game off. After missing the World Cup for the first time since 1986, the U.S. likely will not play a competitive match until the summer of 2019 and has more than five years to prepare for the 2022 World Cup.

“Christian has had a very long year,” Sarachan said in a statement. “Christian has really pushed the limits mentally and physically. With those things in mind, we felt this was an opportunity for Christian to get a break and recharge.”

Forward Jordan Morris is still recovering from a right hamstring injury suffered Sept. 10, forward Bobby Wood is out with a knee problem and winger Paul Arriola is recovering from an unspecified medical procedure. Players were not picked from the four teams remaining in Major League Soccer’s playoffs, ruling out Toronto forward Jozy Altidore and midfielder Michael Bradley.

Defender John Brooks returns from a torn thigh muscle suffered Aug. 12 that caused him to miss qualifiers in September and October. The oldest player on the roster is 30-year-old midfielder Alejandro Bedoya.

McKennie, 19, made his Bundesliga debut last May with Schalke and has appeared in seven league and two cup matches this season.