USMNT vs. Mexico: top injuries weighing on Americans

We are entering the last week of activities in the CONCACAF Octagonal Final, and one of the duels to draw attention is undoubtedly the one between the Mexican national team and the United States at the Azteca stadium on March 25.

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Both teams, tied with 21 points at the top of the standings (surpassed only by Canada with 25), duel with the intention of getting closer to, or even securing, a berth at the Qatar 2022 World Cup; however, things have not been going well for Gregg Berhalter due to injuries to his squad members.

Berhalter had already had complications in making his roster after injuries to Matt Turner, Weston McKennie, and doubts about Gio Reyna and Sergiño Dest. In the end, Turner and McKennie were left out, and Reyna and Dest made the squad.

Unfortunately, Dest's injury was confirmed, due to "an injury in the femoral biceps of the left thigh", according to information from Barcelona, an absence that had to be substituted by the arrival of George Bello, a player from Arminia Bielefeld.

Unfortunately, that will not be the only absence the Stars and Stripes will face, as Brenden Aaronsson's absence was announced. 

The striker suffered discomfort in his knee in the warm-up of his team's last match against RB Salzburg, and after a joint evaluation with the U.S. national team, it was determined that he would not see action.

Key players to be left out of the USMNT 

One team could leave with a ticket to Qatar 2022 in hand next Friday, so we will have to wait and see how much Gregg Berhalter's team will be affected by the absences at the Azteca stadium in the CONCACAF Classic.

Mexico also suffered last-minute casualties

The Tricolor had hoped to have a full squad this week to start preparing for the match; however, round 11 of the Clausura 2022 left Rodolfo Pizarro and Jonathan Orozco injured.

The Xolos goalkeeper suffered a right femoral biceps muscle injury, while the Rayados midfielder suffered a hamstring muscle injury in his right thigh, leaving them out of the Argentinean coach's squad for the upcoming FIFA Date. Carlos Acevedo and Roberto Alvarado, players with experience in the national team, took their place.

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