Video games in Europe, switch rumors, and information from the USMNT and U-23 camps dominate the American soccer information this midweek and ASN’s Brian Sciaretta breaks all of it down.
BY
Brian Sciaretta
Posted
January 13, 2021
9:00 AM
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Perea dedication
On Tuesday, U.S. Soccer introduced that Orlando Metropolis defensive midfielder Andres Perea, 20, is now a U.S. international-eligible participant after FIFA accepted his utility for a one-time change. Born in Tampa, Florida to Colombian dad and mom (his father was a former skilled participant and coach in Colombia), Perea represented Colombia on the U-17 World Cup in 2017 and the U-20 World Cup in 2019.
Final month, Perea participated within the U.S. nationwide staff camp in Florida however was unable to play within the pleasant towards El Salvador given he was nonetheless a Colombian participant. That modified on Tuesday.
So, what does this imply?
Perea remains to be growing however is a participant with excessive potential. When listening to each Berhalter and Kreis talk about him, each coaches have spoken extremely about his “range” and his capacity to cowl floor. There are some attention-grabbing defensive midfield prospects rising behind the apparent first-choice starter in Tyler Adams.
Johnny Cardoso is enjoying for Internacional in Brazil though he has been coping with an damage since November. Jackson Yueill has quietly been efficient for the U.S. staff. Chris Durkin was bought for seven figures to St. Truiden. Owen Otasowie is promising, though his place remains to be undefined.
Perea is attention-grabbing as a result of, stylistically, he’s essentially the most comparable No. 6 within the participant pool to Tyler Adams. That doesn’t imply he’s essentially higher than the opposite choices but, but when he continues to progress, he could possibly be a great backup for Adams in that the staff wouldn’t should readjust or realign its midfield. Perea can play the lone No. 6 position and canopy the required defensive floor.
He nonetheless has a methods to go so as to get to that time however for now he appears to be a robust wager to start out for the U.S. U-23 staff in Olympic qualifying.
“Andres we find to be a really, really interesting holding midfield player for us – that is what we are looking at him as,” Kreis stated on Perea with the U-23 staff. “The quantity of floor he’s succesful to cowl defensively is slightly bit completely different degree than among the different guys that we’ve got in our pool. His processing of the ball, he is nonetheless studying slightly bit about that and what we’re in search of in a quantity 6. However he is displaying marked enchancment simply from final camp to this camp. We are able to already see that he’s taking up the concepts and making use of himself rather well.”
U.S. followers must be enthusiastic about Perea’s potential. He’s in Orlando as a result of the membership scouted him at Atletico Nacional and paid a great worth to each carry him in on mortgage after which make the deal everlasting. In 2020, Perea noticed his minutes improve in the direction of the tip of the season because the membership pushed into the playoffs. He has developed effectively beneath former Colombian worldwide Oscar Pareja who has been excellent with younger gamers throughout his time as a coach over the previous decade.
Shifting into 2021, Perea ought to see his minutes improve and he’s a participant that has the potential to be bought to Europe for an honest value within the not-too-distant future.
Kreis talks
When addressing the media, Kreis spoke in regards to the U-23 staff, the qualifying event, and some of his gamers.
Daryl Dike, 20, is maybe essentially the most attention-grabbing newcomer in camp after he impressed in his first skilled season. In 2020, Dike used not simply his 6’2, 220 pound measurement to be efficient however he additionally confirmed ability and talent as effectively.
Kreis appeared to trace the Dike was nonetheless a piece in progress however one with a excessive upside.
“Daryl has some things to learn about what is different about what Orlando City wants from their strikers, which might perhaps be different from what we are looking for in ours,” Kreis stated. “But he is a super, super, good, hungry and eager to learn young player. He really wants to learn and you can pick up on that every time you talk with him. I am eager to see how he progresses in his two weeks here.”
On different gamers, Kreis additionally singled out Sam Vines for reward whereas additionally including that whereas Cole Bassett was not chosen for this camp, he will probably be in competition for a spot on the qualifying staff.
Kreis additionally added a number of nuggets throughout his name.
He stated that he was anticipating CONCACAF Olympic qualifying to be roughly the identical time because it was scheduled in 2020. This could be straddling the March worldwide window. He additionally wished to have his staff collectively for just a few weeks earlier than the event. The dearth of readability on the 2021 MLS Schedule, nevertheless, makes this troublesome.
Kreis additionally added that the discharge of gamers from Europe can be powerful however that U.S. nationwide staff normal supervisor Brian McBride is dealing with these discissions. Kreis admitted that there are a number of gamers who he is aware of are clearly going to be rejected however he stated that if he feels there may be even a 15% to twenty% likelihood of acquiring a launch for a participant he desires on the staff; calls will probably be made to golf equipment.
How good is the U-23 staff?
Clearly, the U-23 age group for the USA has been incomes virtually common reward as a result of it consists of gamers like Christian Pulisic, Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie, Sergino Dest, and Gio Reyna. The issue, in fact, is that Jason Kreis is restricted in who he can choose as a result of golf equipment will not be required to launch gamers for youth ranges – together with the U-23 staff. All the things have to be voluntary.
When wanting strictly at home choices, the staff is first rate and will have a great likelihood to qualify. It’s not a fantastic staff however it’s fairly good. Nonetheless there are a variety of holes.
The ahead place with Daryl Dike and Jeremy Ebobisse is in good condition. Heart midfield choices on the No. 8 and No. 6 positions are additionally strong. Eryk Williamson, Jackson Yueill, and now Andres Perea give the staff power in and strong passing in that space of the sphere. The fullbacks are additionally strong with Julian Araujo, Bryan Reynolds, Kyle Duncan, and Aaron Herrera strong at proper again. Sam Vines is an efficient left again as effectively – particularly at getting ahead.
However there may be loads of concern for the staff in some areas and Kreis goes to should make a push to acquire the discharge of overseas gamers.
The home winger place could be very skinny. Jonathan Lewis is on the roster, Brooks Lennon would have been if he wasn’t injured, whereas Jesus Ferreira and Djordje Mihailovic play on the wing as a second place. Kreis may need to push for Uly Llanez or Konrad de la Fuente.
One other query for the staff is the artistic midfield place as Djordje Mihailovic is the one true No. 10 on the roster in Florida. Others like Ferreira and Williamson play it as a second place. Final March, the 2020 qualifying roster contained Richard Ledezma, Brenden Aaronson, and Paxton Pomykal. With Ledezma and Pomykal injured and Aaronson transferred, that leaves an enormous void.
Central protection remains to be fairly good with the present home choices. Miles Robinson, Aboubacar Keita, Mauricio Pineda, Henry Kessler, and even Justen Glad (not in camp) are competent choices however the inclusion of Erik Palmer-Brown, Mark McKenzie, Chris Richards, or Cameron Carter-Vickers can be a large addition.
Goalkeeping, nevertheless, stays maybe the largest concern as enjoying time has been minimal for each gamers based mostly domestically in addition to overseas.
The underside line is that this staff is improved from the 2 earlier failed cycles however qualifying will probably be very troublesome. With solely two groups qualifying from out of the area, any mistake can sink this staff – or any staff.
Berhalter talks
He additionally added that he was impressed with not simply the latest hat trick for Matthew Hoppe at Schalke but in addition with how the American displayed off-the-ball motion and ending abilities. He additionally expressed hope that Owen Otasowie would get an everyday slate of video games.
In the meantime, Jordan Morris spoke to the media and one among his key factors is that he’s open to a transfer a broad and that talks with Seattle are “taking place.”
Switch drama
Two People discovered themselves being a part of switch drama on Wednesday. Molde proper again Henry Wingo has been the topic of speak over a transfer Ferencvaros. On Wednesday, that inched nearer as Molde’s sporting director advised the media a switch value had been set and now Wingo should agree to non-public phrases with the Hungarian Champs.
Report: Molde sporting director Erik Stavrum tells the media that the Norwegian membership has agreed to a switch value for American proper again and former Sounder Henry Wingo with Ferencvaros. The participant should now agree to non-public phrases with the Hungarian champs. https://t.co/V4eQctcgYZ
— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) January 13, 2021
The infinite saga over FC Dallas teenage proper again Bryan Reynolds continues with the most recent from The Athletic now stating that Membership Brugge is returning to the fold. Brugge had been earlier than till studies of among the greatest golf equipment in Italy being . Now the Belgian champs have returned into the combo. If this deal strikes ahead, will probably be attention-grabbing to see how a lot unreliable info was leaked out and the way a lot of it was correct.
Monday & Tuesday video games
Among the many video games on the sphere early within the week, right here have been the highest tales.
Harper debuts
Cameron Harper made his skilled debut for Celtic towards Hibernian on Monday. Celtic gained the sport 1-0 and Harper performed 62 minutes. A proficient winger, Harper was anticipated to be a giant a part of the U.S. U-20 staff in 2021 earlier than that cycle was cancelled. Harper is within the ultimate yr of his contract with Celtic and maybe this debut will open the door to him remaining.
The debut got here in mild of 13 Celtic gamers, head coach Neil Lennon, and an assistant being compelled to isolate after a visit to Dubai through the winter break. Harper wasn’t significantly sharp within the recreation however solely came upon he was beginning on brief discover.
Powers sharp for Dundee United
In Scotland’s prime flight, Dillon Powers, 29, had his strongest recreation in years when he was a standout for Dundee United in a 2-2 draw with St. Johnstone. Ian Harkes additionally began in central midfield to present the membership an all-American method in that space of the sphere.
Whereas Harkes begins most video games, this was a uncommon begin for Powers who had his finest recreation since shifting to Scotland final yr.
Dillon Powers: Uncooked # for Dundee United in 2-2 draw vs. St. Johnstone90 mins71 touches0 shots1 key pass35/56 passing3/8 lengthy balls15 duels gained (!!) 7 lost1 clearance1 dribble5x fouled (!)1 tackle5 aerials gained/0 misplaced (!)1 interception- Strong recreation from the Texan!
— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) January 12, 2021
De la Torre sturdy for Heracles
Luca de la Torre, 22, may need had one of the best recreation of his profession on Saturday when he anchored the Heracles midfield in a 4-0 win over FC Emmen within the Eredivisie.
Taking part in centrally, de la Torre created possibilities and handed successfully towards the worst staff within the league. As a participant eligible for the U.S. U-23 staff, he could be a participant that Kreis seeks to carry into the fold.
Luca de la Torre: uncooked # for Heracles in 4-0 win vs Emmen90 mins71 touches2 shots3 possibilities created52/58 passing34/52 passes in attacking half3 key passes4 duels gained (3 misplaced)0 dribbles2x fouled2 aerials gained (0 misplaced)- contact map pic.twitter.com/l96I8ahIqY
— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) January 13, 2021
Heracles has now gained three of its final 4 video games to push into midtable in Holland.
Yedlin begins once more for Newcastle
DeAndre Yedlin made his fifth straight Premier League begin for Newcastle United on Tuesday in a 1-0 loss to Sheffield United. Yedlin, 27, performed effectively but it surely was a tricky project provided that Newcastle was decreased to 10 gamers simply earlier than halftime. Yedlin was compelled into long-stretches of defending and it was powerful for them to push the ball into the assault.
However Yedlin has made essentially the most of his alternatives over the previous month and, from a nationwide staff perspective, has moved up the crowded proper again depth chart.
However Yedlin is within the final yr of his contract, and he has actually improved his possibilities to earn a nicer contract for his prime years.
Cameron assists in QPR win
Geoff Cameron, 35, had a really good recreation for Queens Park Rangers in a a lot wanted 2-0 win over Luton City on Tuesday. Cameron’s flick-on header within the first half ended up being the help on Charlie Austin’s opening purpose. Teenage American ahead Charlie Kelman performed the ultimate minutes of stoppage time for QPR.
CHARLIE AUSTIN RETURNS pic.twitter.com/1JO4vUfwv4
— QPR San Diego (@QPR_SanDiego) January 12, 2021
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