With the second round of the EFL Cup fast approaching this month, some players from the US men’s national team are getting to know their opponents.

Antonee Robinson and Chris Richards were among the numerous American players who learned their opponents for the second round of the annual competition. Matt Turner and Tyler Adams are also among the USMNT players who will get early entry into the Cup in August, provided they are on their respective teams.

Robinson and Fulham will travel to League One side Birmingham City in the second round. The USMNT left-back scored in the last time these two clubs met head-to-head, a 6-2 win for the Cottagers.

Richards and Crystal Palace will host second division side Norwich City in the second round. It will be the first meeting between the two clubs since February 2022. In this duel, Richards could face his national team colleague Josh Sargent.

Sargent did not play in the Canaries’ 4-3 home win against Stevenage in the first round.

Turner is set to leave Nottingham Forest but should he stay, he will face Newcastle United in an all-Premier League match. In another all-EPL match, Adams and Bournemouth will travel to London club West Ham United.

Several other American players were involved in the first round victories, including Aidan Morris, Haji Wright, Donovan Pines and Gabriel Slonina.

Pines and Slonina both played in Barnsley’s 4-2 shootout win over Wigan Athletic, setting up a home match against Auston Trusty and Sheffield United. Pines scored his first goal of the season for Barnsley, while Slonina made two shootout saves and five goals in total.

Trusty scored his first goal for the Blades in a 4-2 win over League One visitors Wrexham.

Wright and Coventry City beat Bristol City 1-0 in the first round and will face Oxford United in the next round.

Lynden Gooch came off the bench to provide one assist in Stoke City’s 2-0 away win against Carlisle United. The Potters travel to fellow EFL Championship side Middlesbrough, who beat Leeds United 3-0.

Aidan Morris, who joined Michael Carrick’s team in the summer, played 90 minutes in midfield for the second consecutive game.

Duane Holmes came on as a substitute in Preston North End’s 2-0 win over Sunderland. Holmes will now look to play in an away match at Harrogate Town in the next round.

Ethan Horvath and Reggie Cannon were absent from the first round but could feature in the second round. Horvath and Cardiff City host Premier League newcomers Southampton, while Cannon and QPR face Luton Town in London.

The second round of the EFL Cup will take place from 27 to 28 August.