ASN: A have a look at the state of the U-23 crew as Olympic qualifying approaches

In lower than two months, america U-23 crew will begin its Olympic qualifying marketing campaign. There are a variety of shifting components in placing this crew collectively and ASN’s Brian Sciaretta appears to be like on the elements at play and takes a stab predicting the roster for March’s event. 

BY

Brian Sciaretta

Posted
January 29, 2020
8:55 AM

SHARE THIS STORY

PREDICTING WHAT america U-23 Olympic qualifying roster will appear like is a really laborious activity as a result of there are such a lot of variables. The obvious one is figuring out which gamers will get launched. However there are different elements as nicely. Reminiscent of, the significance of getting performed with the crew earlier than and the power to combine newcomers at qualifying. Then there may be additionally the small roster measurement which could worth versatility greater than typical.

It’s completely different than the U-20 and U-17 ranges as a result of on the U-23 stage, many gamers have reached the age the place they’re necessary to their golf equipment to overlook video games or coaching. With all these elements, here’s a have a look at the place the U-23 stands. 

What we all know concerning the Olympic qualifying event for the U.S. crew is the next:

The roster will include 20 gamers with 17 area gamers and three goalkeepers
Golf equipment are by no means required to launch gamers for youth tournaments. Whereas the worldwide window tends to make issues extra agreeable, golf equipment can at all times say no by way of releasing gamers.
The FIFA Worldwide Window in March runs from March 23 by March 31 – which begins on the second group stage sport and runs by the semifinal. 
The group stage may be very laborious for the U.S. crew with Costa Rica (March 20), the Dominican Republic (March 23), and Mexico (March 26) as its opponents. Whereas advancing out of the group might be laborious, the flip aspect is that if it does so, it can’t face Mexico in Guadalajara within the semifinal sport which is able to decide qualification.
U.S. U-23 head coach Jason Kreis had 5 camps in 2019 (March, June, September, October, November) however shouldn’t be having one in January as a lot of the January camp for the complete nationwide crew consists of gamers eligible for the U-23 crew.
Following this U.S. nationwide crew camp, it will likely be extraordinarily troublesome to assemble the crew for a significant interval earlier than the ultimate preparations for qualifying start. 

What we will infer or guess concerning the Olympic qualifying event for the U.S. crew is the next:

Count on most if not all MLS groups to cooperate and launch their gamers all through the event. The one exception could be if groups are within the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal. That may impression the power for a participant to play within the opener in opposition to Costa Rica (which could be the U.S. crew’s most necessary sport)
Berhalter has already mentioned that the star gamers of this age group that play for giant European groups are unlikely – this might be Christian Pulisic, Josh Sargent, Weston Mckennie, Tyler Adams and Sergino Dest.
Berhalter has additionally mentioned that full nationwide crew gamers Jackson Yueill and Reggie Cannon will play with the U-23 crew and never the nationwide crew.
It’s honest to be optimistic that European-based gamers who’ve performed with this crew on a number of events might be launched if invited (which isn’t a positive factor as it’s a aggressive roster). Kreis has mentioned these golf equipment have been agreeable (extra agreeable than MLS groups) over the previous yr for releases. Such gamers embody Chris Richards, Christian Cappis, Richard Ledezma, Alex Mendez, Chris Gloster, Sebastian Soto.
It should most likely be laborious for any newcomer to make this crew if he hasn’t performed with both the U-23 crew or the complete nationwide crew earlier than.

There are additionally another elements to think about as nicely. Reminiscent of the supply of Tim Weah who’s working his approach again from a long-term harm. Would Lille be keen to launch him as a part of a win-win situation the place it will give him an opportunity to get some useful video games throughout his return? Is there any wiggle room with Dest if he isn’t beginning for Ajax? Cameron Carter-Vickers membership standing is in limbo proper now, will he be at a membership that’s keen to launch?

Lastly, will Kreis be keen or capable of make a take care of golf equipment to permit for gamers simply to play within the worldwide break? It will go away the U.S. crew shorthanded for the primary or second group stage sport nevertheless it would possibly make golf equipment extra agreeable to launch some high gamers. U.S. Soccer has taken this strategy to herald higher gamers for Olympic qualifying. In 2008, U.S. Soccer reached a take care of West Ham to launch Jonathan Spector for simply the semifinal qualifying sport. 

PREDICTED U.S. U-23 OLYMPIC QUALIFYING ROSTER

Goalkeepers
1) David Ochoa2) J.T. Marcinkowski3) Matt Freese

Within the combine: Brady Scott, Jonathan Klinsmann

The thin: It’s a troublesome place to foretell for the time being with no clear first selection proper now. David Ochoa may be very younger and the U-20 starter proper now however had a variety of success with the Actual Monarchs. J.T Marcinkowski was on the present U.S. nationwide crew camp though he was launched earlier than the crew traveled to California. Matt Freese began for the U-23 crew throughout the fall camps. Brady Scott was the starter finally yr’s U-20 World Cup. So this stays troublesome.

Defenders
4) Reggie Cannon5) Miles Robinson6) Chris Richards7) Justen Glad8) Aaron Herrera9) Chris Gloster

Within the combine: Julian Araujo, Mark McKenzie, Auston Trusty, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Erik Palmer-Brown, Antonee Robinson, Kyle Duncan, Sam Vines 

The thin: Reggie Cannon is the beginning proper again for this crew however that’s the solely sure factor proper now concerning the backline. Chris Gloster has been strong at left again for this crew whereas Antonee Robinson’s launch appears unlikely. Aaron Herrera in the meantime is an honest choice at each proper and left again. The massive query is whether or not or not Kreis goes with a fourth central defender (which might possible be Mark McKenzie) or a fourth fullback (which might possible be Julian Araujo). Araujo is a strong choice as a result of he’s a proper again that may cowl in central protection. However he’s younger and sure with the U-20 crew.

Midfielders
10) Jackson Yueill11) Brandon Servania12) Christian Cappis13) Richard Ledezma14) Brenden Aaronson15) Paxton Pomykal

Within the combine: Alex Mendez, Hassani Dotson, Keaton Parks, Bryang Kayo, Johnny Cardoso, James Sands, Djordje Mihailovic

The thin: Hassani Dotson would make a variety of sense on this crew and he’s most likely in a contest with Servania proper now. Dotson is sensible as a No. 6 as a result of he also can fill in at proper and left again however Servania’s late inclusion into January camp most likely provides him the sting. Cappis can be versatile throughout the midfield whereas offering measurement and energy (and if Cappis shouldn’t be launched, it opens one other door for Dotson’s inclusion). Each Dotson and Cappis appear to be forward of Keaton Parks proper now. In the meantime Ledezma, Aaronson, and Pomykal are the attacking midfielders. It makes it robust for Alex Mendez however he’s definitely not out of the combination as Ledezma’s membership standing at PSV is enhancing (which could restrict his launch) and Pomykal’s hasn’t been wholesome in a while. Djordje Mihailovic is a troublesome participant to learn for the time being as he was at January camp final yr however not this yr – whereas over the previous yr appears to have been handed by Aaronson and Pomykal. Nonetheless, he wore the armband for the U-23 at occasions within the fall so he’s nonetheless definitely within the combine. 

Forwards/Wingers
16) Jonathan Lewis17) Sebastian Saucedo18) Ulysses Llanez19) Jeremy Ebobisse20) Jesus Ferreira

Within the combine: Sebastian Soto, Timothy Weah, Mason Toye, Brooks Lennon, Gio Reyna, Emmanuel Sabbi

The thin: Like lots of the areas on this crew, there are a variety of questions. First, will Jesus Ferreira have his paperwork cleared by FIFA to signify america (he’s in search of a FIFA residency requirement that applies to naturalized residents). Will Sebastian Saucedo be launched by Pumas – the place he’s a starter for a crew that has began off the Liga MX season atop the desk. For now, Ulysses Llanez has the sting since he’s on the U.S. camp, however how is he performing? So, among the many 5 gamers listed, now we have questions on three of them and solely Jonathan Lewis and Jeremy Ebobisse seem to be safer bets. Brooks Lennon is a tempting decide since he also can cowl at proper again (and flexibility is vital) whereas Mason Toye has been helpful thus far this cycle. Then you may have Timothy Weah, who Lille would possibly prefer to have concerned to get him video games after a long-term absence. There may be additionally Gio Reyna who’s taking part in for Borussia Dortmund’s first crew, however nonetheless solely in a restricted function – if he was launched for the U-17 World Cup two months in the past, what makes the U-23 crew out of bounds? He would play a variety of minutes.