Consider it or not, we’re already in mid-September and in lower than three weeks the U.S. staff can be in camp in Texas forward of the its subsequent World Cup qualifier towards Jamaica in Austin. There are lots of points at play with how that roster may come collectively and ASN’s Brian Sciaretta provides it his finest shot to foretell and clarify what the staff may seem like in October.
BY
Brian Sciaretta
Posted
September 14, 2021
12:45 PM
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THE FIRST TRIO of World Cup qualifiers in September have been decidedly combined for america nationwide staff. Two lackluster attracts however a convincing second half in a win over Honduras gave the U.S. staff 5 factors and a strong aim differential. Heading into October, head coach Gregg Berhalter could have tough decisions as he assembles his roster.
Like September, it must be a roster nicely over 23 gamers. In actual fact, it might be even bigger than the 26-player roster we noticed for the primary three video games in September. It is because a bunch of gamers are working their means again from accidents and are nonetheless settling into a brand new membership. It is easy to see Berhalter wanting to maintain a “big tent” with lots of gamers in and across the staff so that they are ready not only for this window, however for future home windows. On this format, the video games come rapidly and there is not a lot time to coach.
We aren’t too far off from a roster being named both. The U.S. staff will open the video games at dwelling towards Jamaica on October 7 in Austin, then at Panama on October 10, after which lastly towards Costa Rica in Columbus on October 13. With membership video games operating by means of Sunday, Octoer 3, we’re most likely solely a little bit greater than two weeks from the roster being named. With just a few days coaching out there for the primary sport, there must be lots of continuity between the September and October rosters. There may even be some new gamers sprinkled in.
Here’s a take a look at some huge questions the rest of the month.
Weston McKennie
There are additionally a number of huge selections on personnel issues, the large one being the Weston McKennie resolution. The star Juventus midfielder didn’t play within the ultimate two video games and was despatched dwelling early after “breaking team rules.”
We all know Mckennie loves america nationwide staff and is a charismatic particular person to have on the staff. This comes right down to a matter of belief between the staff, the workers, the federation, and McKennie. Berhalter has stated that McKennie is just not completely banned from the staff and that he has spoken with the Texan at size earlier than he left camp. The issue for McKennie is that the incidents are actually repeated and rebuilding the belief is a course of, not one thing that’s automated with an apology. The next feedback made by his father on twitter implicating different gamers didn’t assist.
Ultimately, I feel McKennie can be again with the U.S. staff however that’s only a guess. I don’t suppose any resolution has been made but. There may be additionally concern about his current dip in type. He struggled towards El Salvador and hasn’t been sturdy in the beginning of the season with Juventus. It’s a difficult one.
Accidents/Sickness
Past the long-term accidents of Jordan Morris, Aaron Lengthy, Richard Ledezma, and now Sam Vines, a bunch of gamers are nonetheless out injured for the U.S. which might be questionable.
Sergino Dest damage his ankle final week towards Canada. He made the gameday roster for the Champions League so the scenario appears to be constructive for him.
Christian Pulisic additionally damage his ankle and Tomas Tuchel stated he’s out 10 days.
Tim Weah stays out for Lille.
Gio Reyna injured his hamstring towards El Salvador and is out for a bit.
Zack Steffen examined constructive for COVID-19 and is quarantining in america earlier than returning to England.
Accidents are very difficult to foretell as a result of on high of the time-table to return, you even have the time-table to get match.
For now, the guess I’ll make is that Reyna and Weah are out. Reyna goes to overlook a bunch of consecutive video games and Weah hasn’t performed since 8/21/21. Weah may return earlier than the following trio of video games, however there are too many questions on his health.
The Predicted October Roster
Goalkeepers
1) Matt Turner
2) Zack Steffen
3) Ethan Horvath
Within the Combine: Sean Johnson, Brad Guzan
The Breakdown: Few would argue that these three aren’t the highest three American goalkeepers. They’ll doubtless all be known as up however there are questions on Steffen proper now relating to his quarantine and likewise with Horvath – who is likely to be higher served remaining together with his membership to try to take excessive spot at Nottingham Forest for the struggling Brice Samba.
Fullbacks
4) Antonee Robinson
5) Sergino Dest
6) DeAndre Yedlin
7) Bryan Reynolds
Within the Combine: Joe Scally, Julian Araujo, Justin Che, George Bello, Shaq Moore, Reggie Cannon, DeJuan Jones
The Breakdown: We all know Antonee Robinson will go. It appears doubtless Sergino Dest can be wholesome sufficient. The questions have at all times been about backups. George Bello remains to be promising and may return in October, however he light towards Honduras and Berhalter may discover different choices.
DeAndre Yedlin may not be a transparent starter but at Galatasaray, however he performs. Whenever you mix that together with his expertise and his current sturdy sport towards Honduras, he looks as if a great wager to be there in October.
The fourth fullback is attention-grabbing. It is vitally doable that Julian Araujo may make this roster however his worldwide allegiance not identified – at the very least publicly. If he goes, Dest can be the best again starter and the backup left again. Bryan Reynold and Joe Scally are each younger gamers nonetheless getting adjusted to groups within the “Big Five” leagues in Europe and each can cowl at left again. Whereas Scally is enjoying commonly, Reynolds brings the velocity and athleticism that might be helpful in CONCACAF. Reynolds has additionally performed with the staff earlier than in 2021.
Central protection
8) Miles Robinson
9) John Brooks
10) Chris Richards
11) Mark McKenzie
12) Tim Ream
Within the Combine: Walker Zimmerman, Matt Miazga, James Sands, Erik Palmer-Brown, Cameron Carter-Vickers
The Breakdown: Final window, Berhalter went with six central defenders. It’s exhausting to see six getting the decision for October. Mile Robinson is a lock. John Brooks didn’t have an awesome window in September, however he’ll be again. Chris Richards is now again to enjoying within the Bundesliga with Hoffenheim and his membership scenario is safe. His probabilities of being again are excessive.
If Berhalter goes with 5 central defenders, the remaining two spots are open for prediction. You possibly can’t wager towards Tim Ream as he’s an everyday below Beherhalter, he’s enjoying nicely for his membership, and he had a pleasant outing towards El Salvador. In the meantime, Mark Mckenzie began towards Honduras and that displays nicely for him on the depth chart. However he’s the kind of participant that should play for his membership, if his minutes decline within the coming weeks, Walker Zimmerman will most likely get the decision as a substitute.
Central Midfielders
13) Tyler Adams
14) Weston McKennie
15) Yunus Musah
16) Kellyn Acosta
17) Sebastian Lletget
18) Cristian Roldan
19) Gianluca Busio
Within the combine: Luca De la Torre, Julian Inexperienced, Tanner Tessmann, Jackson Yueill, Caden Clark
The Breakdown: Clearly Adams is lock. As we talked about, Weston McKennie is contact and go however we’ll tentatively predict he’s again. Kellyn Acosta and Sebastian Lletget may even be again. Acosta is a wanted backup at both the No. 8 or No. 6. Cristian Roldan additionally appears to be a great bench choice at this level and he labored very nicely towards Honduras.
Yunus Musah is again to enjoying with Valencia, though he might want to play extra than simply cameos. Nonetheless, he’s a part of the plans and Berhalter will most likely need him again with the staff.
There may be room for one more midfielder and Luca de la Torre and Julian Inexperienced each have instances however the safer wager is Gianluca Busio, who has performed with the staff over the summer time and has nailed down a beginning spot with Venezia – and performed nicely in an enormous win over the weekend towards Empoli.
Wingers/Attackers
20) Christian Pulisic
21) Brenden Aaronson
22) Nicholas Gioacchini
23) Matthew Hoppe
24) Konrad De la Fuente
25) Paul Arriola
Within the Combine: Jesus Ferreira, Kevin Paredes
The Breakdown: This group of gamers consists of the wingers and the hybrid attackers who play a bunch of various attacking roles. We all know Christian Pulisic (if wholesome) and Brenden Aaronson are locks. However who else? Tim Weah and Gio Reyna appear unlikely to be wholesome/match.
Berhalter stated over the last window that Matthew Hoppe was a participant who he would have favored to have had in September however the ahead was within the technique of transferring to Mallorca. Hoppe has secured the transfer, however now he must play. In the meantime, fellow Gold Cup winner Nicholas Gioacchini has additionally secured a transfer to a high league with Ligue 1’s Montpellier and has already made his debut. Konrad de la Fuente must also most likely be again. In the meantime, Paul Arriola has returned from harm with DC United and he brings some protection and scrappy play to the wing place.
Middle Forwards
26) Ricardo Pepi
27) Josh Sargent
28) Jordan Pefok
29) Gyasi Zardes
Within the Combine: Daryl Dike
The Breakdown: We all know Ricardo Pepi can be again as a result of he truly performed nicely final window and continues to have an distinctive season with FC Dallas. After him, it comes right down to selections that might go both means. Josh Sargent isn’t enjoying significantly nicely and Gyasi Zardes is simply now getting back from harm to a disappointing Columbus Crew staff. Jordan Pefok provides a bodily edge however does he provide something Daryl Dike doesn’t? Dike is extra cellular but additionally hasn’t appeared the identical since his Gold Cup harm together with the fatigue of continuous soccer for over a yr.
For now, the established order together with the return of Zardes looks as if the secure wager however this place appears very a lot up within the air.
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Author : usa-foot
Publish date : 2024-12-30 14:04:53
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