ASN: Berhalter discusses strikers, Dest, Brooks, Pepi on the transfer, Philly rolls, LAFC stumbles, & extra

ASN’s Brian Sciaretta breaks down the large American transfers in addition to the highest video games in Europe and MLS. 

BY

Brian Sciaretta

Posted
September 01, 2022
2:05 PM

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IT WAS A VERY busy first half of the week in American soccer with an enormous wave of video games each in Europe and domestically. As well as, Gregg Berhalter spoke to the media in New York with a number of ideas on the US nationwide workforce participant pool.

Listed below are a few of my ideas.

Berhalter talks strikers/scouting journey

Gregg Berhalter spoke to the media on Wednesday and spoke concerning the problem with constructing his World Cup roster.

The large matter was the group of strikers with Jesus Ferreira, Jordan Pefok, Josh Sargent, Haji Wright, and now even Brandon Vazquez all scoring objectives in droves. In the meantime, Ricardo Pepi hasn’t scored for membership or nation since final October however will now head to Groningen in Holland on mortgage after a tough 9 months in Germany with Augsburg following his $20 million switch.

For Berhalter, he’ll get to select from strikers who’re scoring versus not – which is sweet – however how will the choice making go?

Relating to Brandon Vazquez, the FC Cincinnati ahead and former 2015 U.S. U-17 alum has been breaking out in 2022 and now has 16 objectives on the season to be among the many greatest forwards in MLS. However not like the others, he has not been in camp but with the workforce, and Berhalter mentioned this makes it more durable for him.

“I am not going to sugarcoat it, I think it does make it more difficult but it doesn’t make it impossible. That’s the important thing,” Berhalter mentioned of Vazquez’s problem of constructing the roster after by no means having been known as up. He additionally went on so as to add that if the opposite 4 gamers have been getting known as up and are scoring, it does put Vazquez in a tricky spot.

He additionally harassed to the media that it isn’t merely objectives that he’s on the lookout for, however relatively objectives and a method of play that matches the U.S. workforce.

“We are trying to look at the profile of who fits us and what we’re trying to do the best,” he mentioned. “It might not be the best forward. What we think fits our team.”

On a last level concerning the strikers, Berhalter mentioned that whereas it’s nice to see Ferreira, Sargent, Pefok, Wright, and Vazquez all take their respective video games to a different degree, he realizes that powerful conversations can be coming with gamers.

“We’re not going to take five strikers on the roster,” Berhalter mentioned. “We are going to have a couple of disappointed guys. That’s a shame. You want the players to do everything they possibly can, and when they are doing everything they possibly can, and they still don’t make the team, that’s not nice.”

Berhalter will now head for Europe for a scouting journey. On his agenda

The Previous Agency derby on Saturday to observe Celtic-Rangers as he expects James Sands, Malik Tillman, and Cameron Carter-Vickers all to take par.
Valencia – Getafe on Sunday in Spain to observe Yunus Musah who’s now taking part in centrally in a 4-3-3. Berhalter will wish to observe intently how he’s taking part in at Valencia in contrast with how he would with the US.
Boavista – Pacos Ferreira on Monday in Portugal to observe Reggie Cannon who has been taking part in as an outdoor central defender in a three-man backline versus being a proper again.

Dest, Pepi, and Brooks

Based on Fabrizio Romano, Sergino Dest has moved from Barcelona to AC Milan and can stay at an enormous membership. It is a transfer that can critically check Dest on the defensive facet however once more, it is also necessary to see how shortly he adjusts. He’s nonetheless a lock to go to the World Cup however how shortly he adjusts to life in Milan will decide his potential to play nicely in Qatar.

“To go from Barcelona to AC Milan is not bad,” Gregg Berhalter mentioned. “Serie A is a competitive league and you have to defend really well there. It’s going to help him.”

At Milan, Dest should try to unseat present proper again Davide Calabria, 25, who is way slower however is defensively strong and has been capped seven instances by Italy. There are extra choices for Dest if he’s seen as a wing possibility, however Dest has solely performed that in restricted events again when he was with Ajax.

After Calabria, Milan additionally has Alessandro Florenzi, 31, who’s injured in the intervening time. When Florenzi

That is clearly transfer for Dest as a result of he needed to get out of Barcelona and in doing so, will stay at a really large membership. He’s used to the Champions League and is used to media scrutiny. Wherever he went there was all the time going to be competitors for minutes. The competitors at Milan is just not unattainable however Dest should present dedication on the defensive facet to get on the sector recurrently.

Based on Sky Sports activities, John Brooks pulled out of a deal to deliver him to Mallorca and as a substitute can be signing with Benfica. Brooks has been with no membership since Might 14 when he performed his final sport for Wolfsburg and has been free to signal with any membership since January 1. 9 months later, he has made his determination.

For Brooks, he’s now an extended shot to make the World Cup workforce on condition that he has missed all of preseason and the beginning of the 2022/23 season. There may be now going to be an adjustment as he will get match and takes his profession outdoors of Germany for the primary time. Brooks as struggled to get entangled with the workforce over the previous yr however goes to have to vary issues in a short time to enhance his standing. Benfica is an excellent workforce and there may be the likelihood for Champions League minutes, but it surely stays to be seen if Benfica view him as a possible starter or as a backup.

Ricardo Pepi has joined Groningen on mortgage and after a really tough 11 months, he’ll now look to revive his profession within the midtable of the Eredivisie. Pepi hasn’t scored for membership or nation since October final yr. His sale to Augsburg was eye-opening for his worth ($20 million) but it surely appeared to solely harm his improvement by setting unrealistic expectations on him, from himself, the membership, and the supporters. There was strain to play him straight away. He was getting pissed off, his teammates weren’t passing him the ball, he wasn’t doing nicely when he acquired the ball, and finally he stopped taking part in as Augsburg was on the lookout for extra skilled strikers to assist them of their relegation battle.

In the meantime, his nationwide workforce hopes have taken an enormous hit by his lack of scoring and the emergence or reemergence of different forwards within the participant pool. He appears unlikely to go to Qatar.

Heading to Groningen is the best choice of a nasty scenario. The truth that Augsburg is spinning off its most costly ever switch to a midtable Dutch workforce is just not look. However maybe Pepi shifting out of the highlight isn’t a nasty factor. If the expectations could be deflated a bit, that ought to solely scale back the frustration and permit him to work on his sport.

Staying at FC Dallas one other yr or occurring mortgage to Groningen from FC Dallas would have been a pleasant step however when eight determine presents are made and the Eredivisie has a excessive minimal non-EU wage, it turns into powerful (Augsburg is definitely serving to to suit this invoice). However a tricky studying lesson over the previous seven months is momentary. It’s the place he goes from right here.

Premier League replace

In contrast with the membership’s final stint within the Premier League two years in the past, Fulham are off to a massively spectacular begin. On Tuesday, Fulham defeated Brighton & Hove Albion 2-1 in spectacular style.

Relating to Fulham’s two American gamers, each are hovering. Antonee Robinson’s protection is on one other degree. As soon as he was considered an attacking left again however he continues to make use of his athleticism so nicely in defending within the Premier League. He’s in an excellent spot heading into the World Cup.

In the meantime, Tim Ream is taking part in the most effective soccer of his profession. Sometimes, he’s been stellar within the Championship however has struggled within the Premier League. That’s not the case this yr. He has continued to each begin and captain an excellent Fulham workforce and appears set, even at age 34, in the direction of now reaching the profession objectives he set for himself when he moved to England. Will this be sufficient to get him to Qatar? That depends upon how the opposite gamers within the competitors carry out, however Ream is doing every little thing he can to construct his case – each as a participant and as glorious veteran chief.

Leeds United performed Everton to a disappointing 1-1 draw on Tuesday and so they wanted a fifty fifth minute equalizer to earn the consequence at residence. On the objective, Brenden Aaronson began and performed a easy move to Luis Sinisterra whose shot confused the Everton protection earlier than sneaking into the close to publish.

Leeds ought to do higher towards a weak Everton workforce, however Jesse Marsch’s workforce needs to be okay this season. Each Tyler Adams and Aaronson are taking part in very nicely and in a time the place there are a lot of questions over key U.S. nationwide workforce participant’s Marsch’s duo is the least of Berhalter’s issues.

Christian Pulisic performed the ultimate 27 minutes for Chelsea in a tricky 2-1 street loss to Southampton. It’s not time for Pulisic who’s at an enormous membership which is struggling. However he’s the least of the workforce’s issues now and might be higher ready issues out. Continued struggles will drive Thomas Tuchel to vary his lineup or maybe Tuchel is on the hotseat. The established order gained’t final at Chelsea as a result of there are all the time adjustments throughout powerful instances.

In the meantime, Chris Richards didn’t get off the bench for Crystal Palace in a 1-1 draw with Brentford. Whereas Richards struggled off the bench over the weekend in Palace’s collapse towards Manchester Metropolis, he was introduced into Palace to not begin straight away. Going as an unused substitute was to be anticipated. He stays prone to make the World Cup workforce, however it’s debatable how a lot he performs there. He has not performed a variety of soccer in 2022.

Individuals within the Championship
 

On Tuesday within the Championship, Norwich Metropolis defeated Birmingham Metropolis as Josh Sargent began for Norwich and Auston Trusty began for Birmingham Metropolis. The 2 are former teammates on the 2017 U.S. U-20 World Cup workforce. Norwich ended up profitable 2-1 though the red-hot Sargent was cooler on this sport whereas Trusty additionally didn’t stand out a lot for good or unhealthy.

Ethan Hovath began for Luton City in a 2-1 win over Cardiff Metropolis on the street. Horvath solely needed to make one save within the win.

Zack Steffen, in the meantime, missed his second straight sport for Middlesbrough and didn’t participate within the 2-1 loss to Watford.

Duane Holmes got here off the bench for Huddersfield and performed the ultimate 31 minutes in a 2-0 loss to Bristol Metropolis.

Lynden Gooch continues to play an enormous position for a Sunderland workforce taking part in nicely contemporary off promotion. The Santa Cruz midfielder went the distanace on Wednesday in a 3-0 win over Rotherham.

All the most effective to U.S U-20 hopeful Vaughn Covil who final performed with U.S on the U-16 degree pre COVID. The midfielder made his first Championship begin over the weekend for Hull Metropolis however was compelled out within the 1st half with an harm. At this time it was introduced a season-ending ACL tear https://t.co/AwD8zKsmZN

— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) September 1, 2022

Elsewhere in Europe
 

Erik Palmer-Brown continued to spice up his case to make the World Cup workforce along with his second straight spectacular Ligue 1 begin for Troyes. On Wednesday, Palmer-Brown went the space for Troyes in an enormous 4-2 away win over Monaco.

Erik Palmer-Brown: uncooked # for Troyes in an enormous 4-2 away win over Monaco:90 mins50 touches27/36 passing3/6 lengthy balls1 shot8 clearances1 interception3/3 tackles3/4 floor duels1 YC- Massive numbers for EPB in a tricky win at Monaco

— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) August 31, 2022

Sam Vines continues to start out for a Royal Antwerp workforce that continues to be excellent on the Belgian season following a 4-2 win over Union SG. Vines scored his first objective for Antwerp within the forty third minute for a 3-1 lead. Vines had a poor first contact however discovered a strategy to get past it.

Antwerp now has 18 factors from six video games.

Right here is the objective earlier at present from #USMNT hopeful Sam Vines for Royal Antwerp towards Union SG https://t.co/NcOxZ81cEr

— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) September 1, 2022

Vines was not the one objective scorer midweek as Ian Harkes scored for Dundee United in a 2-1 win over Livingston within the League Cup. Dundee United rebounded for the win following a 9-0 weekend loss to Celtic within the Premiership.

After a rusty outing over the weekend, Weston McKennie didn’t get off the bench for Juventus on Wednesday in a 2-0 win over Spezia.

Whereas he didn’t play, it was an excellent signal to see Richard Ledezma making the bench for PSV in its 7-1 win over FC Volendam. Ledezma suffered an ankle harm 16 days in the past and it now seems as if it gained’t be as severe as first feared.

Within the Austrian Cup, St. Poelten was eradicated after a 3-1 loss to Horn. Uly Llanez scored his workforce’s solely objective however was additionally despatched off with a crimson card in stoppage time.

Philadelphia rolling
 

The Philadelphia Union continued their superb run Wednesday night time with a 4-1 win at residence over Atlanta. The Union have outscored opponents 16-1 the previous three sport and 29-3 over their previous six residence video games. The win clinched a playoff berth however the Union are very a lot within the operating for the Supporters Defend after pulling even on factors with slumping LAFC.

Some large factors to remove from the Union proper now:

It’s too unhealthy the present spectacular United States U-20 quartet isn’t beginning proper now, however that’s the value of being crimson scorching. Coaches don’t wish to make adjustments to the lineup. You possibly can’t blame them. Daniel Gazdag is an MVP candidate with 17 objectives and 25 objective contributions per Opta.

Jim Curtin hasn’t been talked about for the league’s coach of the yr as most consideration has centered on Josh Wolff, Pablo Mastroeni, and Steve Cherundolo together with others equivalent to Adrian Heath and Wilfried Nancy. However Curtin very a lot needs to be after the previous month.

There may be now hypothesis within the German media that Leon Flach might be heading again to Germany in some unspecified time in the future. This has all the time been his plan. He needed to return to Philadelphia, get minutes, play for a profitable workforce, after which return to Germany the place he grew up. Flach has grown into a really good defensive midfielder – on the defensive facet. He wants to enhance his offense and in getting extra touches (significantly in transition), however he’s additionally prospect who ought to compete for the beginning No. 6 place on the U.S. U-23 workforce that can compete within the 2024 Olympics.

German media speculating a few doable return of Leon Flach to Germany after this season. Flach advised me he got here to Philadelphia to get taking part in time for a profitable workforce with the eventual objective of returning. To date, he’s acquired what he got here to Philly forhttps://t.co/b8FiUkEsQS

— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) August 31, 2022

RBNY squeak by Montreal
 

The Crimson Bulls don’t have any star forwards, midfielders, or wingers (though Luquinas is shut) however they’re proving to be a tricky out. On Wednesday night time, Gerhard Struber’s workforce traveled to Canada to tackle an excellent Montreal workforce and walked away with a 2-1 win. Regardless of a tricky schedule to finish the season, the Crimson Bulls now have 10 factors from their previous 4 video games.

This sport was paying homage to the 2021 workforce that may rating one objective after which maintain on for pricey life. However, to be honest, this workforce was lacking captain Aaron Lengthy, and each of its beginning fullbacks in John Tolkin and Kyle Duncan who have been each suspended.

The Crimson Bulls proper now simply discover a strategy to win and the previous few video games have given it some wanted respiration room as a result of profitable towards Philadelphia on Saturday is likely to be a bridge too far. Particularly with out Cristian Casseres, who’s suspended. Lewis Morgan has been an amazing x-factor for them. 

From an American perspective, Daniel Edelman continues to indicate great progress in his sport over the previous month. The U.S. U-20 co-captain brings a ton of physicality to the midfield and his protection has been sharp. He nonetheless must get on the ball extra, however he is an effective prospect.

LAFC drops third straight
 

LAFC’s grip on the Supporters Defend is not tight. Steve Cherundolo’s workforce has had a brutal three-game stretch which incorporates loses to Actual Salt Lake, Austin, and now Houston. The Dynamo discovered a second half winner to defeat LAFC 3-1.

LAFC has had a tricky stretch the place they’ve been ruthlessly punished for his or her defensive errors, they’ve missed probabilities, and so they’ve needed to take care of a variety of roster turnover the previous month – shedding gamers to each international groups and to different MLS groups.

“We didn’t give up too much defensively, and we created a lot of chances. That’s how you win games. Games like this don’t happen very often,” mentioned Cherundolo. “The crossbar, ‘keeper makes saves, calls don’t go your approach. You don’t end your probabilities. Plenty of issues go towards you in video games like this so that you can lose, and that occurred at present.

“The proper response after losses is to put your head down and keep working on your deficiencies.”

????? Steve Cherundolo#LAFC pic.twitter.com/SECMs6S5Xk

— LAFC (@LAFC) September 1, 2022

“But I’ve been in the sport long enough to understand and to know if you continue to perform like that, these games will start going your way.”

Ought to LAFC be involved? Somewhat. They’ve the expertise to show issues round in a short time. Within the playoffs, it turns into extra about essentially the most gifted gamers making large performs. They are going to be internet hosting video games too – and that issues. Nonetheless, the workforce is in a funk and is certainly taking part in under the sum of its components and Cherundolo remains to be lacks head teaching expertise – which is required in these conditions. There are questions over the best way to get all of those gamers taking part in is appropriate positions – and its not as simple because it appears as a result of many have the same favourite place. This implies placing individuals into the second or third most popular place.

The issue additionally with LAFC is expectations as being labeled essentially the most gifted workforce within the historical past of the league. That places a bullseye on them and units the expectations that issues are going to be simple. That additionally makes it more durable as they’re studying to play with one another.

Seattle in deep trouble
 

The Seattle Sounders fell on the street to Orlando by a 3-2 rating regardless of having a 2-0 lead within the 52nd minute. With only one level from their final 5 video games, their playoff hopes are actually on life assist.

Orlando was the higher workforce too, with Stefan Frei conserving the workforce alive within the first half with a pair of giant saves (one on a penalty).

Right here is how dire issues are for the Sounders. They’re now six factors out of the playoff positions however have a game-in-hand with seventh-place Portland. The LA Galaxy, nonetheless, have a sport in hand on Seattle and sit in eighth place.

Is there something hopeful to be mentioned for Seattle? Somewhat.

Seattle has three of their subsequent 4 at residence and 5 of their remaining six video games are towards groups outdoors the playoff positions.

Clearly a really pissed off group within the postgame. “It’s still a determined group. They are emotionally drained. They put a lot of effort into that game.” – Schmetzer

— Jeremiah Oshan (@JeremiahOshan) September 1, 2022

However Seattle hasn’t confirmed they’ll beat good groups since profitable the Champions League. Their power degree is approach low and the age of a few of their key gamers is exhibiting. Defensively, the lack of Joao Paulo is gigantic. Obed Vargas appeared promising at first as a backup, his harm has compelled Seattle to dig deeper into their bench. They’ll’t maintain the ball anymore once they different workforce raises the depth and finally their protection crumbles.

It was value it for Seattle to go for the Champions League, however that is without doubt one of the causes for his or her struggles and the truth that they’ve been coping with a variety of accidents too.

It will be a disgrace for Seattle to overlook out on the playoffs the identical yr they labored onerous for a historic achievement for the league.

Different MLS notes
 

DC United shocked NYCFC with a 2-1 win at Crimson Bull Area. Christian Benteke made his DC United debut within the 73rd minute. NYCFC is exhibiting that shedding a coach and the highest scorer within the league (each midseason) goes to have penalties.

Toronto paid dearly for not having the ability to hold onto its 2-1 lead vs. the Galaxy. In settling for a house draw, Toronto blew an opportunity to really transfer close to the playoff line (regardless of having two video games in hand with individuals surrounding it). Toronto might be a really powerful out within the playoffs given their expertise.

I really like the toughness of Actual Salt Lake and that was on show with an enormous 3-0 win over Minnesota United. That win actually helped to solidify their standing within the playoff positions – which nobody predicted at first of the season given their accidents and lack of expertise. Pablo Mastroeni has completed an excellent job. Minnesota is a tricky workforce to play.

Portland is all the time a workforce that’s powerful to depend out in the direction of the top of the season. I did not assume they have been going to make the playoffs, however after heading into Austin and strolling away with a 2-1 win, I do. Eryk Williamson continues to be an enormous supply of their enchancment since he returned to 100% after his torn ACL.

Columbus is one other workforce that has improved tremendously as this season has progressed. Cucho Hernandez has performed an enormous half in that however the workforce is total taking part in a lot better. After Wedensday’s 1-0 win over Inter Miami, Columbus appears in very robust form for the publish season. If Lucas Zelarayan and Hernandez are wholesome, they might be a sleeper workforce within the playoffs – for positive.