This week brought a welcome boost for the U.S. men’s national soccer team, with several key players making their return to action ahead of the highly anticipated March camp. As the team prepares for its upcoming challenges, these players’ comebacks after injury are an important development for manager Mauricio Pochettino and the squad’s hopes in the World Cup qualification process.
Tyler Adams: A Crucial Return After Injury
Midfielder Tyler Adams, who captained the U.S. at the 2022 World Cup, made a timely return to the pitch after a two-month injury layoff. He started for Bournemouth in their 0-0 draw against West Ham on Saturday. Adams had been sidelined since December due to an MCL sprain, but his performance in his first match back was impressive, showing he had recovered well ahead of schedule. This return is a major relief for U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino, who will be counting on Adams' leadership and skills during the critical March camp.
Ricardo Pepi's Comeback: A Goal to Remember
Striker Ricardo Pepi also made a triumphant return to action after missing nine league games due to a broken arm suffered in January. Playing for PSV Eindhoven in their 3-1 win over Heerenveen, Pepi came on as a substitute in the 76th minute, sporting a black cast on his left arm. Within minutes, Pepi made his presence felt: he had a right-footed shot saved in the 77th minute, had a goal ruled out in the 78th, but finally found the net in the 87th minute. He blasted a stunning shot from outside the box into the bottom right corner, proving he is still a clinical finisher.
Pepi is aiming for a spot in the World Cup roster, and his recent performance served as a reminder of his goal-scoring prowess. With his confidence high, Pepi shared his excitement on social media, thanking fans for their support and promising to "finish strong." PSV manager Peter Bosz expressed his satisfaction with Pepi's return, calling the goal he scored a typical Pepi strike.
Ricardo Pepi laat zich direct gelden bij zijn rentree 🎯👏#psvhee pic.twitter.com/z4UrAtaZkr
— ESPN NL (@ESPNnl) February 21, 2026
Over in Italy, Christian Pulisic made his return to AC Milan's lineup after dealing with bursitis. Although he played 62 minutes in a 1-0 loss to Parma on Sunday, Pulisic was unable to convert his scoring chances, with multiple attempts saved. While his return is a positive sign, both Pulisic and the U.S. team are keen for him to be in peak form for the March camp. The main objective is to ensure Pulisic is at his best when the U.S. faces Paraguay on June 12 in their World Cup opener.
Setbacks for Other World Cup Contenders
While some players are on the mend, others are facing setbacks. Antonee "Jedi" Robinson, who had recently returned from a knee injury that kept him out for 12 games, missed Fulham's 3-1 win over Sunderland due to an ankle issue. This new injury is a frustrating development for the talented left-back, who will be hoping to recover in time for the March camp.
In addition, Gio Reyna has missed several matches for Borussia Mönchengladbach with a muscle injury, and Diego Luna was sidelined for Real Salt Lake’s season opener against the Vancouver Whitecaps due to a knee issue. These injuries highlight the ongoing challenges faced by the U.S. men's national team as they prepare for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
With the March camp fast approaching, all eyes will be on how these players recover and how they perform in the crucial friendlies against Belgium and Portugal in late March.
