Christian Pulisic, Gio Reyna in March USA roster; Tyler Adams out - ESPN

AC Milan attacker Christian Pulisic, Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie and Crystal Palace center back Chris Richards headline the 27-player roster named by United States men's national manager Mauricio Pochettino for the upcoming international window.

The USMNT will play a pair of friendlies later this month, with the first against Belgium on March 28 followed by a second match three days later against Portugal. Both matches will be played in Atlanta at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Both teams are ranked in the top 10 of FIFA's men's world rankings. Players will begin reporting to Atlanta on March 22.

«We have spent the last 18 months developing the player pool so we can be prepared to make the correct decisions for the World Cup roster, and this is another valuable opportunity,» Pochettino said.

«We must treat these games like they are a part of the World Cup, and what is most important is that the players bring the right mentality and commitment to the group.»

The roster is expected to bear a close approximation to the group that will contest the FIFA World Cup later this year, but injuries have prevented some players from attending.

AFC Bournemouth midfielder Tyler Adams was held out of last weekend's 0-0 draw against Burnley due to an undisclosed injury, and while Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola said it «doesn't look too serious,» it was enough to prevent Adams from making the roster.

That paved the way for the Vancouver Whitecaps' Sebastian Berhalter and Middlesbrough midfielder Aidan Morris to make the current squad.

Coventry City forward Haji Wright appears to be another player hit by injury.

He was substituted in the 63rd minute of the Sky Blues' 2-1 defeat to Southampton last weekend, with manager Frank Lampard