The U.S. nationwide group’s first aggressive video games in over 18 months will happen this summer time on the 2019 Gold Cup. What’s going to that roster appear like? ASN’s Brian Sciaretta have a look as to what he thinks Berhalter will do.
BY
Brian Sciaretta
Posted
April 05, 2019
12:15 PM
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IN JUNE, the USA nationwide group will play its first main match below supervisor Gregg Berhalter when the 2019 Gold Cup will get underway. The U.S. group is the defending champions after successful the 2017 version however this would be the first check for the group with the brand new crop of gamers.
There may be loads of causes that this match lacks luster in contrast with years previous. For one, the sting of lacking the 2018 World Cup remains to be not over. Second, a berth within the Confederations Cup berth is not on the road since that match has been discontinued. Lastly, with the arrival of the CONCACAF Nations League and no participation in a future Copa America finalized, it’s straightforward for followers to really feel uninterested in CONCACAF competitors.
The final time the U.S. group performed official video games outdoors of its area was three years in the past on the 2016 Copa America Centenario and nothing is assured for the foreseeable future.
When wanting on the massive image, this summer time’s Gold Cup match is essential even whether it is comprehensible for an absence of enthusiasm. For one, it provides Gregg Berhalter an opportunity to proceed to construct his group. Whereas nothing is finalized, it’s doable that in 2020 the U.S. group may play within the Copa America and the Olympics (with a U-23 group that consists of many gamers on the complete nationwide group). If that have been to occur, it could check a lot of American gamers at a excessive degree.
The method of getting the gamers play in significant video games begins in June. To this point, Berhalter has had simply 4 video games to construct a group put together for this Gold Cup and up to now he’s tried to emphasise continuity whereas attempting to keep away from making sweeping adjustments to rosters. There’s a good likelihood that the video games within the Fall will permit him to go deeper into the participant pool however for now he’s been attempting to construct one thing over a brief interval.
With that being stated, the Gold Cup roster shouldn’t shock many. There is perhaps just a few gamers included on the group who weren’t a part of the rosters in January or March, however these gamers will in all probability be recognized commodities who weren’t capable of take part attributable to health or kind.
One different word is that it’s nonetheless not decided but if the Gold Cup guidelines will permit for rosters to be augmented after the group stage with a restricted variety of adjustments. This has been the case in current editions of the match however for now, we’ll assume no adjustments and only a straight 23 participant roster.
Goalkeepers
1) Zack Steffen
2) Ethan Horvath
3) Sean Johnson
Within the combine: Jesse Gonzalez, Brad Guzan.
The Skinny: Zack Steffen will probably be the starter for the complete match and these video games will permit him to qualify robotically for a U.Ok. Work Allow as he strikes overseas following the Gold Cup. Horvath and Johnson look like the following in line though maybe Berhalter received’t herald all three simply to sit down behind Steffen.
Defenders
4) DeAndre Yedlin
5) Nick Lima
6) John Brooks
7) Matt Miazga
8) Walker Zimmerman
9) Aaron Lengthy
10) Tim Ream
11) Greg Garza
Within the combine: Omar Gonzalez, Auston Trusty, Daniel Lovitz, Reggie Cannon, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Erik Palmer-Brown
The thin: It is very important keep in mind that when Berhalter made his considerably controversial choice to start out Tyler Adams at proper again in March, he made it clear he was not married to the concept. It would nonetheless occur on the Gold Cup, or Adams would possibly transfer again to his pure midfield place. It would range relying on the opponent. The identical with DeAndre Yedlin on the wing place. Lima stays on board to permit for that flexibility.
The central defenders are self-explanatory for the time being and the one change may very well be the addition of Greg Garza into the left again position. The FC Cincinnati veteran looks as if he could be a very good match into the system.
Midfielders
12) Tyler Adams
13) Wil Trapp
14) Michael Bradley
15) Weston McKennie
16) Christian Pulisic
17) Sebastian Lletget
18) Paul Arriola
19) Kenny Saief
20) Darlington Nagbe
Within the combine: Cristian Roldan, Duane Holmes, Djordje Mihailovic, Jonathan Lewis, Paxton Pomykal.
The thin: It’s unclear if Weston McKennie might be wholesome for this match however he nonetheless has over two months to get again on the sector from his ankle sprain. The identical might be stated of Christian Pulisic who can also be coping with an damage and this summer time might be essential for the Hershey native who will start his first preseason as a Chelsea participant.
Most of the names have featured below Berhalter up to now. If Kenny Saief continues to impress at on his mortgage to FC Cincinnati (which is able to expire in June), he may get the nod as a result of he has among the best left foots within the participant pool and his passing may very well be an actual asset to Berhalter. Darlington Nagbe additionally hasn’t been concerned but below Berhalter nevertheless it’s doable that the supervisor will wish to see how he suits into his system.
Forwards
21) Jozy Altidore
22) Gyasi Zardes
23) Jordan Morris
Within the combine: Josh Sargent, Tim Weah, Bobby Wooden, Christian Ramirez, Corey Baird, Andrija Novakovich
The thin: It’s actually doable that one or each of Josh Sargent and Tim Weah may play on the U-20 World Cup this summer time or play with the U-23 group (if that group has a camp this summer time). For each youngsters, rather a lot will rely on their enjoying time the remainder of the season.
The return of Jozy Altidore to well being will probably ship Gyasi Zardes to the bench though Zardes was helpful within the March friendlies.
Outlook
The nationwide group is an evolving course of proper now and the “lost generation” of gamers born between 1990-1994 nonetheless lingers. The specified enchancment within the group received’t occur over evening however robust, continued emphasis on the youth nationwide groups ought to proceed to enhance the participant pool over time.
Mexico proper now could be firing on all cylinders and deserves to be the favourite heading into the Gold Cup. Might the U.S. group nonetheless win it? Sure, however it could take a reasonably large upset to tug it off. That is the primary time in years the U.S. group is making an attempt to construct a group round a era of gamers that doesn’t embody Clint Dempsey, Landon Donovan, Jermaine Jones, and lots of others with World Cup expertise. There isn’t a fast repair for the nationwide group proper now however there is no such thing as a purpose to factor the sunshine on the finish of the tunnel isn’t vibrant.
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Author : usa-foot
Publish date : 2025-01-25 19:50:36
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