Fafa Picault added to USMNT roster for upcoming friendlies

After just missing the cut for the initial roster, Fafa Picault has been added to the United States Men’s National Team call-up for friendlies against Colombia and Peru.

The 27-year-old Philadelphia Union winger’s recent run of form put him back on the national team radar and after Tyler Adams and Christian Pulisic both had to withdraw because of injury he received the invite to join head coach Dave Sarachan’s 23-man roster.

The call-up for Picault is his first since joining the Union last season. He was last part of the national team in 2016 when he earned his only cap for the senior team as a substitute in the Yanks’ 3-1 win over Puerto Rico.

Picault is tied for the team lead in goals this season with eight and has shown a flair for the dramatic. It was his stoppage time goal that gave the blue and gold a critical road win over Seattle last month and another late goal in Orlando that would’ve been a winner had the Union not conceded a stoppapge time equalizer.

All but one of Picault’s goals have come away from home this season and five of his goals have come since July.

The USMNT plays Colombia on Thursday in Tampa and Peru next Tuesday in East Hartford, Conn.