Cameron Carter-Vickers has been left out of the United States’ squad for their upcoming international fixtures against South Korea and Japan, with former Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino opting to look elsewhere for defensive options. [US Soccer]
The omission comes amid a sluggish start to the season for the Celtic centre-back. Carter-Vickers hasn’t quite looked at full tilt since pre-season, where he missed games due to ongoing fitness concerns. A minor tidy-up operation earlier in the summer ruled him out of the Gold Cup squad, and he’s yet to properly hit top gear in the early part of the campaign.
With CCV sidelined, Pochettino has instead called up uncapped duo Tristan Blackmon and Noahkai Banks, with Auston Trusty – also based at Celtic – left out due to injury. Trusty is managing a heel problem and was absent for both of Celtic’s last two matches, including the decisive Champions League qualifier in Kazakhstan.
The decision to leave out Carter-Vickers will spark debate. While fitness may be a factor, the introduction of untested names into the fold suggests a shift in approach from Pochettino, perhaps with one eye on longer-term options. Whether Carter-Vickers can force his way back into contention will depend on how quickly he returns to his best at Celtic.
Despite the setback, CCV remains a vital figure at club level.
