Revolution starting center back Henry Kessler has been called up to the United States Men’s National Team for the 2021 Gold Cup. Nashville’s own Walker Zimmerman picked up a pretty bad knock on Sunday against Canada, and was forced to be substituted out in just minute 15 for DC United defender Donovan Pines.
Now, Kessler will take his spot, and battle for a starting spot against Pines.
Last match, the US played with three center backs, Zimmerman, Sands, and Robinson. While it remains extremely unlikely Kessler will even get minutes with the team, he has been called up for squad depth. If Berhalter continues his 5-3-2 system, Kessler could earn the job over Pines. However, if the USA go back to a two center back system similar to the Haiti game, Robinson and Sands will surely be the pair. San Jose Earthquakes striker Cade Cowell, at seventeen years old, was also called up, in wake of Daryl Dike’s injury.
Kessler is slated to train with the USMNT on Wednesday morning, meaning he will leave before the late night game between Inter Miami CF and the New England Revolution.
As far as what this means for the Revs, they’ll likely go back to Jon Bell, who has proved to be a liability on multiple occasions. Turner, Buchanan, and Kessler will all be away for at least another week and a half. The Revs will miss them for 3-4 more games, and have some important matchups in that stretch.