OT: Berhalter Names USMNT Tune Up Squad
GOALKEEPERS (3): Ethan Horvath (Luton Town/ENG), Sean Johnson (New York City), Matt Turner (Arsenal/ENG).
Injured: Zack Steffen.
Notable Omissions: None.
DEFENDERS (9): Reggie Cannon (Boavista/POR;), Cameron Carter-Vickers (Celtic/SCO;), Sergiño Dest (Milan/ITA), Aaron Long (New York Red Bulls), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace/ENG), Joe Scally (Borussia Mönchengladbach/GER), Sam Vines (Royal Antwerp/BEL), DeAndre Yedlin (Miami), Walker Zimmerman (Nashville).
Injured: Ant Robinson, Miles Robinson.
Notable Omissions: Ream, Sands, Brooks.
MIDFIELDERS (6): Kellyn Acosta (LAFC), Tyler Adams (Leeds United/ENG), Luca de la Torre (Celta Vigo/ESP), Weston McKennie (Juventus/ITA), Yunus Musah (Valencia/ES), Malik Tillman (Rangers/SCO).
Notable Omissions: None.
FORWARDS (8): Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United/ENG), Paul Arriola (Dallas), Jesús Ferreira (Dallas), Jordan Morris (Seattle), Ricardo Pepi (Groningen/NED), Christian Pulisic (Chelsea/ENG;), Gio Reyna (Borussia Dortmund/GER), Josh Sargent (Norwich City/ENG).
Injured: Weah.
Notable Omissions: Pefok, Wright
Surprised to not see Sands and Pefok on here. Kind of surprised that Pepi is getting another call in. I just don't know where/when Pepi gets the PT. A little surprised that Gaga Slonina didn't get called in, but I think that kind of tips the hand for anyone who thought he might have been a roster call for November. In a better life/world where either of the US's top two choices were a "good" choice, maybe. But both have potential issues so the third spot is going to have to be practical and used for depth. Also, good for Sarge. Way to play himself back into the lineup.
My Best Guess Lineup WC
=====A Healthy Quality Keeper=====
Robinson==Richards=Zimmerman==Dest
==========Adams=============
McKennie================Musah
=====Pulisic=======Aaronson=====
==========Weah?==============
Man that top spot is still so tough to predict. Weah as a false 9 may be the best not-great option in a field of not-great options. I don't love Ferreira up top. Weah has been too good to keep off the field for the US (but he's been injured all season), on the other hand, Aaronson has been performing lights out for his club lately. Gio is finally rounding into form, but with such limited play in the last year, you have to assume he's a super sub at best.
September 14th, 2022 at 12:01 PM ^
Would rather see Cohen at keeper than Johnson. Frankly you could argue Cohen is our best bet to be US#1, given his level of play (albeit much lesser league), actual playing time, and now CL experience.
Pefok seemed to be a no-brainer so I dont get why he is included, esp compared to Pepi.
Glad to see Tillman here.
And… no Michael Barrett? (… keeping it on-topic)
September 14th, 2022 at 12:17 PM ^
Cohen is definitely interesting. Something interesting I read in The Athletic the other day on Josh Cohen (who if you're not familiar is a young upstart who is currently the starting keeper for Maccabi Haifa a Champs Lge qualifying team).
Don’t hold out hope for Josh Cohen, who recently helped Israeli club Maccabi Haifa earn a spot in the UEFA Champions League group stage. “He’s playing Champions League, and that’s great,” Berhalter said last week. “We’re watching every game he plays. I don’t see a lot of uncertainty in the goalkeeping position. I think we have guys that have proven it and done a great job for us in the past.”
Berhalter is a bit inconsistent with his whole "if you're playing and performing" mantra. Case in point is Pefok vs Pepi. Pefok is hitting it hard for Union. Granted he did this last year and it never translated for the US. Pepi, save his brilliant October for the US, has neither performed for club nor country since then. It's all a bit weird.
September 14th, 2022 at 12:01 PM ^
Also announced... the new USMNT mascot "Dribble".
September 14th, 2022 at 12:02 PM ^
Some thoughts:
Greg has never used Weah as a false 9, i'm not sure why he would start now. The starting striker will be Ferreira.
Reyna is the best player in the pool. If he's healthy (big if) he will start.
GK will be Turner.
I think I heard that Pefok is nursing an injury or something - not having him in Qatar would be a mistake IMO, even if he's not going to start.
I'm not sure why we're wasting a call-up on Jordan Morris.
September 14th, 2022 at 1:28 PM ^
I looked at Union Berlin's lineups the last couple games and Pefok didn't feature in any of them. I bet he is nursing something like you suggest.
Reyna is not the best player in the pool. He's good but he is not better or more impactful than Pulisic or Aaronson. Aaronson is making a case for most impactful over Pulisic. Reyna might have to be a super sub considering how good the rest of the midfield has been.
September 14th, 2022 at 8:44 PM ^
Pefok played on Sunday in Union Berlin's game. I agree Reyna is the best player in the pool. I also think the MMA midfield controls the game well. I don't know who you leave out if you play MMA in the midfield. Reyna, Pulisic, Weah, Aaronson, Ferreira fighting for 3 spots. For me it's Reyna, Pulisic and Ferreira.
September 14th, 2022 at 2:04 PM ^
1000% on Morris. Given the depth of wingers, it's unclear what role he plays. There's nothing he does that the other wingers in the pool don't do with more skill. He appears to be there in deference to putting in time in a lot of low profile US matches over the past 8 years. I can't imagine a situation where he gets on the field in Qatar and isn't completely out of his depth.
September 14th, 2022 at 7:58 PM ^
Morris' only utility is coming off the bench late to run at and muscle tired legs, but the quality is so high that I doubt that even that is useful, such that he and guys like Arriola don't bring much to the smaller WC roster imo. If I have to choose between the two, I can't believe I think this, but I'd choose Arriola.
When Weah is back in picture, one of them has to go.
September 14th, 2022 at 12:02 PM ^
I like it. I think the combo of Pulisic, Aaronson and Reyna (or maybe Sargent or Weah instead?) could cause real problems for opposing teams. Sargent and Acosta are pretty good too. And while Yedlin is kind of old and may not play much, I've always liked him. GO USA!
September 14th, 2022 at 12:11 PM ^
I don’t watch much Serie A, how has Dest looked so far for Milan? Is he in form?
September 14th, 2022 at 12:11 PM ^
Hate:
Inclusions - Long (over Sands?!?!), Vines
Ommissions - Sands is an obvious one (who can also play CDM in a pinch), no Gaga, couldn't get Zendejas in, concerned about no Pefok (but heard he was injured), I presume Dest is out so he can get situated at inter (but still would love him gelling with team)
And even though I don't think he should play in Qatar I think its worth bringing in someone like Ream who has been a top defender in EPL and is the type of leader needed with a hodge podge/rotating defender room.
Like:
CCV inclusion, Return of Sargent for his great play, seeing all the "big guns" coming in (stay healthy, stay healthy, stay healthy...dangit, I probably just pulled one of their hamstrings).
Wished:
Had hoped Balogun would've surprised and showed up...but he is more of a 2026 play anyway.
September 14th, 2022 at 12:16 PM ^
I'm not sure why you would hate the inclusion of Vines. He's a pretty solid player, young, pretty good in the attacking third, and is a true LB reserve option behind Antonee Robinson.
September 14th, 2022 at 8:11 PM ^
I don't know how he is doing in Antwerp but I watched him a bit in MLS and in his USMNT appearances, I saw him as pretty sloppy and not that great defensively because of his slighter frame. But maybe that was bc of his inexperience at the time. I'd love to be wrong and hope he has developed further, as agreed, we definitely need options behind Jedi and Dest, which is why I like Scally who can play both sides. And if we are looking for youth, I'd consider Dejuan Jones too.
September 14th, 2022 at 4:43 PM ^
I hope they don't lose Balogun to another nation like they did Rossi years ago. Perhaps it's worth a shot reaching out to him. Especially since they're in desperate need of a striker that can produce.
September 14th, 2022 at 5:14 PM ^
Ream captains and plays every minute for an EPL side. Surely he would be a huge plus to have on the team
September 15th, 2022 at 12:43 PM ^
Completely agree. Ream is a guy who has experience defending some of the best strikers in the world week in and week out.
September 14th, 2022 at 12:14 PM ^
Including Morris over Pefok is nuts. Pefok is the starting striker on the #1 team in the Bundesliga right now.
September 14th, 2022 at 1:09 PM ^
Kind of agree. Morris is a known commodity and Pefok is money right now and having a camp with the team could provide some useful insight into how he could work with the team more than Morris I would think. I know Pefok has been called up before, but I feel this is a missed opportunity.
September 14th, 2022 at 12:23 PM ^
Seems like a decent idea of what the WC roster is going to shape up to be. Wouldn't be surprised if Pefok replaces someone come November. Beyond that, it's a solid roster that should put the USA in the top two of Group B and on to the Knockouts.
September 14th, 2022 at 2:13 PM ^
That first match v Wales is going to be huge. Should decide the second team in. Won't be easy.
September 14th, 2022 at 12:41 PM ^
Morris OR Arriola make sense as there are games you need their energy. I would have tried to get either Haji Wright or Pefok to see which fits in with the squad and provides the true #9 that we only have with Sargent on this roster.
One other player I would like to see more of is Brooks Lenon from Atlanta United. He has a lot of potential to play either as a FB or wingback (both roles he plays with Atlanta).
September 14th, 2022 at 12:56 PM ^
Pepi getting called over Pefok or Wright is a little weird. Both have been in great form. Meanwhile, Pepi hasn't done a whole lot. We are in a weird moment where all of our keepers are either underperforming or not starting a whole lot and the forwards are on fire.
I like that the US has enough depth now that there is no way to get all the good players on the field at the same time, especially in the midfield.
My WC lineup, assuming Ant Robinson is healthy and so is everyone else (knock on wood for Gio) is:
Goal - Turner
D - Dest, Richards, Zimmerman, Robinson
Mid - Adams, McKennie, Musah
Forwards - Aaronson, Ferreira, Pulisic
I think the 9 is up for grabs, but Berhalter will go with Ferreira because he has played a handful of games at that spot for the US at this point and he is in form. Gio and Weah are wildcards. Gio has been made up toothpicks up until this point, but he is the x factor if healthy. When he comes on for Dortmund, he is their most complete attacking player on their team at this stage. If Sargent is still in good form come the WC then that is just icing on the cake.
September 14th, 2022 at 1:04 PM ^
I'm tired of seeing some of these MLS shitters like Long, Morris, Yedlin, and Areola continue to get call-ups for no reason. They aren't even playing well for their MLS teams.
And I'm not "anti-MLS", its just a fact that the MLS is roughly the 15th best league in the world and the average player playing in Europe will be playing at a significantly higher level.
Even if Gregg wants to bring MLS players, why not bring Miazga over Long, Mihailovic over Morris (dont care if they are different positions, Morris post-ACL surgery brings you absolutely nothing to the team). You know, players actually playing well in the MLS.
Also, since Sargent plays half the time on the wing, why not bring him and pefok (in place of Areola), and count Sargent as a winger?
September 14th, 2022 at 2:52 PM ^
FWIW, Pauly Nips has had a pretty good season with Dallas. I don't think he's WC quality, but it's worth pointing out. Yedlin/Long/Morris I agree, though.
September 14th, 2022 at 4:07 PM ^
Pauly Nips got me crackin up
September 14th, 2022 at 4:42 PM ^
Cincinnati season ticket holder here. I don't think Miazga has played enough games yet to really be in contention. He's looked pretty good since he came over, but there's a long way to go. Another month and maybe he would've been in. Agree on the general idea though. Vazquez has been in amazing form and would be a much more interesting inclusion than Morris. Mihailovic is very interesting.
September 14th, 2022 at 2:16 PM ^
No Gianluca Busio on this list ?
https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/sources-gianluca-busio-s-relegation-release-clause-what-awaits-venezia-s-usmnt-m
September 14th, 2022 at 3:12 PM ^
No major issues but would like to see Zendejas somehow included.
September 14th, 2022 at 6:43 PM ^
The strangest pick seems to be Yedlin because he's not good at Inter Miami and he's like the fourth choice at RB because you could slide Richards over. Sands would have made a lot of sense because of his versatility. Also would have been nice to see a couple more up-and-coming midfielders like Busio, Mihailovic or Williamson.
I think we'll need our strikers to score to get out of the group, so here's to hoping Ferreira or Sargent is up for it.
September 14th, 2022 at 7:47 PM ^
Yedlin, while I have loved him once upon a time, I do agree that his time has passed. That said, Gregg does not agree. Yedlin featured heavily all last year through qualifying, both because of injury and also because Gregg seems to favor him.All of that to say, I don't mind Yedlin as a backup that doesn't come off the bench. He will likely be the only player on this squad with any WC experience. There is some value in that with a team SO young.
As for being Yedlin being a player who sees a lot of minutes. No thanks. Let's just hope that Dest and Robinson stay healthy, and Scally is able to play either spot if he's in form. Richards isn't a wing. He's a CB.
September 14th, 2022 at 8:50 PM ^
You have to think that GGG is rewarding those that help get the US to the world cup. Yedlin's cross to Pepi in the game against Honduras changed the landscape of the first qualifying window. It goes from 3 points, to 5 points with one cross and header.
September 14th, 2022 at 8:44 PM ^
No serious complaints over the roster. Pepi over Pefok is odd. Morris and Long I do not like as well. I would replace them with 2 CBs from the "notable omissions" section. Yedlin I'm not a fan of either, but our fullback options aren't the best.
Still, those are quibbles over a bunch of backups (hopefully). My biggest concern is GK. Turner is my choice almost by process of elimination. Everyone is either out of form or not playing much.
On the flip side, our midfield situation is really good. Tons of quality and options. McKennie could be in better form, but Adams and Musah have been playing great. The options off the bench are good as well.
September 14th, 2022 at 8:47 PM ^
You have to swap Jedi Robinson and Dest. Jedi is a left back and Dest plays the right back position when Jedi is in the game. I'm swapping Reyna for Aaronson and Ferreira for Weah. I'll let Weah run at tired legs. I think Aaronson starts a game that we're playing not to lose. If it's a must win, I'd choose Reyna.