United States coach Gregg Berhalter defended his decision to send Italy-based star Weston McKennie home for Covid-19 protocol breaches on Tuesday ahead of his team's crucial 2022 World Cup qualifier against Honduras.

Juventus midfielder McKennie was dropped for Sunday's 1-1 draw with Canada before being expelled from the squad altogether, as the United States traveled to Honduras for Wednesday's CONCACAF qualifier in San Pedro Sula.