ASN: Roster Prediction: 23 Names for the September Qualifiers

Costa Rica and Honduras are up subsequent for Bruce Area and the U.S. males’s nationwide workforce, and the stakes could not be a lot greater: This is Brian Sciaretta’s predicted roster for these two World Cup qualifiers.

BY

Brian Sciaretta

Posted
August 04, 2017
3:00 PM

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WITH THE 2017 GOLD CUP carried out and dusted, the following time america nationwide workforce assembles can be for a pair of essential World Cup qualifiers in early September. Over the summer time, head coach Bruce Area had the prospect to develop his participant pool and September will provide loads of knowledge when it comes to how he views the participant pool.

So what is going to the qualifying roster appear like? Area will want a powerful workforce because the U.S. is clinging to 3rd place by only a single level. Additionally, with a house recreation in opposition to Costa Rica and an away matchup in opposition to Honduras simply 4 days later, incomes 4-6 factors can be a problem.

This is my projected roster, with loads of caveats and context. 

Goalkeepers

1. Tim Howard2. Brad Guzan3. Ethan HorvathIn the combination: Nick Rimando, Sean Johnson, Invoice Hamid, Jesse Gonzalez, David Bingham

It appears relatively apparent that Tim Howard is the beginning goalkeeper proper now and Brad Guzan is the backup. The one actual debate entails the No. 3 backstop. Ethan Horvath appears to be an fascinating younger choice to deliver alongside proper now though the pecking order for the third goalkeeper spot appears broad open.

Defenders

4. DeAndre Yedlin5. Graham Zusi6. John Brooks7. Geoff Cameron8. Omar Gonzalez9. Matt Besler10. Jorge Villafana11. DaMarcus BeasleyIn the combination: Eric Lichaj, Timothy Chandler, Tim Ream, Matt Miazga, Matt Hedges, Walker Zimmerman, Justin Morrow, Greg Garza

There are a variety of powerful calls alongside the backline. At proper again, DeAndre Yedlin is the highest possibility however he’s on the shelf for as much as three weeks with a hamstring damage and it has by no means been clear who will again him up if all choices can be found. 

Graham Zusi, Eric Lichaj, and Timothy Chandler all are within the combine however the truth that Zusi began the ultimate two video games of the Gold Cup most likely provides him the sting. To be truthful, although, Lichaj was in preseason type at first of camp.

Chandler stays a thriller as he’s but to play for the nationwide workforce beneath Area and the shaky nature of his nationwide workforce performances in contrast along with his membership standing most likely makes him dangerous at this time limit. For now it looks as if Zusi is Yedlin’s backup and if Yedlin cannot go it should most likely be Zusi and Lichaj on the roster. I do not see that pecking order holding for much longer, however for now that looks as if the fact.

Central protection can be puzzling when it comes to backups. Geoff Cameron and John Brooks are the doubtless starters and Omar Gonzalez appears to have an edge over Matt Miazga, Matt Hedges, and Walker Zimmerman. On the left facet of central protection, it appears to between Matt Besler and Tim Ream—and this can be a very shut name. Ream had the sting within the final set of qualifiers however Besler performed nicely on the Gold Cup.

If Area has plans to play with three central defenders once more, like he did efficiently at Azteca in June, then maybe he’ll deliver a fifth participant at this place.

Left again can be fascinating. Jorge Villafana is prone to make this workforce however he won’t begin. Area might shift Fabian Johnson to the backline as a starter. Both approach, Justin Morrow most likely didn’t do sufficient to overhaul the ageless DaMarcus Beasley who’s having a really good season with Houston.

Midfielders

12. Michael Bradley13. Kellyn Acosta14. Dax McCarty15. Darlington Nagbe16. Christian Pulisic17. Paul Arriola18. Fabian Johnson19. Alejandro BedoyaInjured: Kenny Saief, Sebastian LletgetIn the combination: Danny Williams, Joe Corona, Gyasi Zardes, Kelyn Rowe, Jermaine Jones, Cristian Roldan, Sacha Kljestan, Alfredo Morales

There should not many spots up for grabs proper now within the midfield. Michael Bradley, Darlington Nagbe, and Christian Pulisic are apparent locks. Johnson might find yourself lining up as a fullback though he has solely performed within the midfield for Area. Kellyn Acosta will definitely make the workforce regardless of a blended outing within the Gold Cup last. Paul Arriola began a Gold Cup last and a qualifier at Azteca so it’s laborious to see him not making the workforce. Equally, Alejandro Bedoya was given the armband at instances in July so the percentages of him being minimize are slim.

That leaves one spot—doubtless for a defensive/holding midfielder to hitch Bradley and Acosta. Danny Williams is making a variety of noise proper now as he signed a Premier League take care of Huddersfield City and indicators in preseason level to him being a starter. In the meantime, Dax McCarty had an up and down July with the nationwide workforce and is older than Williams. By the top of the Gold Cup, McCarty solely noticed mop-up minutes as a late-game sub. Jermaine Jones is also a practical possibility though Area sounded dissatisfied with the Jones-Bradley partnership.

I feel Williams has an excellent likelihood at breaking into this workforce earlier than the World Cup and the November friendlies (ought to the workforce qualify outright and keep away from the playoff) can be a giant alternative for him if he begins robust with Huddersfield.

Up to now in World Cup qualifiers Area has most popular to go together with acquainted choices—he’s been profitable with that strategy so it’s laborious to see him change. That most likely factors to McCarty being the doubtless candidate—for now. After qualifying, issues might change rapidly. Should you return to Area’s first tenure because the nationwide workforce coach, many gamers have been added to the 2002 World Cup workforce who weren’t a part of the workforce in September 2001.

Forwards

20. Jozy Altidore21. Clint Dempsey22. Bobby Wood23. Jordan MorrisIn the combination: Juan Agudelo, Dom Dwyer, Chris Wondolowski

If something, the Gold Cup helped to resolve questions involving the pecking order of the ahead place. Jozy Altidore answered a variety of questions and Clint Dempsey proved he may very well be a really efficient possibility off the bench. Bobby Wooden, if wholesome, is clearly an necessary a part of the workforce. Jordan Morris additionally appeared to maneuver forward of Juan Agudelo and Dom Dwyer in the meanwhile.