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Cardoso Faces Surgery, Misses US World Cup Opener; Tessmann Out

5/12/2026

Summary

Cardoso Misses Opener

Johnny Cardoso, who logged 30 appearances and scored once, will undergo ankle surgery in Barcelona after a high-ankle sprain suffered in training.
Club staff expect a two-month recovery, meaning Cardoso will miss the U.S. Men’s National Team’s World Cup opener on June 12 and forces coach Mauricio Pochettino to finalize the roster before May 26 reveal.
Lyon midfielder Tanner Tessmann has been ruled out for the remainder of his season.

Summary

Reyna Scores

Giovanni Reyna scored his club goal in 16 months, ending a drought and boosting his World Cup roster chances.
United States opens 2026 World Cup on June 12, 2026, against Paraguay in Inglewood, California, with Group D including Australia and Turkey.
Sebastian Berhalter hopes Johnny Cardoso, who debuted on November 12, 2020, in a 0-0 draw with Wales and has 23 caps, will recover quickly and rejoin the national team.

Summary

Pochettino Announces Roster

The United States men’s national team will announce its World Cup roster on May 26 at 3 p.m. ET in New York City on FOX.
Argentine coach Mauricio Pochettino, who succeeded Greg Berhalter, will make midfield selections despite Cardoso’s injury.
Pochettino will rely on Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie and Tanner Tessmann, while Yunus Musah has seen limited minutes and Cristian Roldan has earned playing time.
Atletico Madrid has not disclosed Cardoso’s surgery timing or recovery timetable.

Summary

Pochettino Sets Formation

Coach Mauricio Pochettino will use a 4-2-3-1 with midfielders Tanner Tessmann and Tyler Adams.
If Tanner Tessmann’s fitness is limited, midfielder Weston McKennie could shift to midfield.
Tanner Tessmann’s versatility also lets him slot at centre-back when defensive depth is thin.
U.S. will face Senegal on May 31 in Charlotte and Germany on June 6 in Chicago, permitting roster changes 24-hour before the opener.
Midfielder Aidan Morris of Middlesbrough is a leading candidate to replace midfielder Cardoso.

History

Historical Context

In 1994 the United States hosted the 15th FIFA World Cup (June 17–July 17), where Bora Milutinovic managed the team; the tournament set a record attendance of 3,587,538 and became the most financially successful World Cup. Learning from that, 2026 coach Mauricio Pochettino must submit his final roster by May 26, balancing injuries to Johnny Cardoso and Tanner Tessmann.

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Cardoso Misses Opener

Johnny Cardoso, who logged 30 appearances and scored once, will undergo ankle surgery in Barcelona after a high-ankle sprain suffered in training.
Club staff expect a two-month recovery, meaning Cardoso will miss the U.S. Men’s National Team’s World Cup opener on June 12 and forces coach Mauricio Pochettino to finalize the roster before May 26 reveal.
Lyon midfielder Tanner Tessmann has been ruled out for the remainder of his season.

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