ASN: Breaking down the USMNT roster for the ultimate Octagonal window

ASN’s Brian Sciaretta breaks down the roster for the ultimate USMNT Octagonal window by giving his ideas on the massive situation relating to the type of key gamers, changing McKennie, the gamers who pressured their means onto the staff, the massive absences, and the way the staff might lineup. 

BY

Brian Sciaretta

Posted
March 17, 2022
10:00 PM

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UNITED STATES NATIONAL staff supervisor Gregg Berhalter at present introduced his 27-player roster for the ultimate three video games of the Octagonal World Cup qualifying event. These would be the most difficult window for the U.S. staff as it can face Mexico in Mexico Metropolis on March 24 (10 p.m. ET), Panama in Orlando, Fla. on March 27 (7 p.m. ET) and Costa Rica in San Jose on March 30.

The roster is straight ahead and comprises just a few surprises. Essentially the most notable absences have been identified for weeks – Matt Turner, Chris Richards, and Weston McKennie who’re all injured. In a single notice, Berhalter denied that Turner’s damage was frostbite.

The most important trigger for concern, nonetheless, got here earlier within the day when Sergino Dest left Barcelona’s 2-1 Europa League win over Galatasaray within the 56th minute with an damage. Dest is on this roster however Berhalter famous that if Dest can’t go for the upcoming qualifiers, he can be wanting so as to add a left again into the staff within the coming days.

On prime of that, right here is the roster and listed here are some ideas.

THE ROSTER

(Membership/Nation; Caps/Objectives)

GOALKEEPERS (3): Ethan Horvath (Nottingham Forest/ENG; 7/0), Sean Johnson (New York Metropolis FC; 9/0), Zack Steffen (Manchester Metropolis/ENG; 26/0),

DEFENDERS (9): Reggie Cannon (Boavista/POR; 24/1), Sergiño Dest (Barcelona/ESP; 17/2), Aaron Lengthy (New York Crimson Bulls; 21/3), Erik Palmer-Brown (Troyes/FRA; 2/0), Antonee Robinson (Fulham/ENG; 22/2), Miles Robinson (Atlanta United; 17/3), James Sands (Rangers/SCO; 7/0), DeAndre Yedlin (Inter Miami; 71/0), Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC; 25/3)

MIDFIELDERS (6): Kellyn Acosta (LAFC; 48/2), Tyler Adams (RB Leipzig/GER; 24/1), Gianluca Busio (Venezia/ITA; 8/0), Luca de la Torre (Heracles/NED; 5/0), Yunus Musah (Valencia/ESP; 13/0), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders; 31/0)

FORWARDS (9): Brenden Aaronson (Crimson Bull Salzburg/AUT; 18/5), Paul Arriola (FC Dallas; 43/8), Jesús Ferreira (FC Dallas; 7/2), Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders; 43/10), Jordan Pefok (Younger Boys/SUI; 8/1), Ricardo Pepi (Augsburg/GER; 9/3), Christian Pulisic (Chelsea/ENG; 45/18), Gio Reyna (Borussia Dortmund; 9/4), Tim Weah (Lille/FRA; 20/2)

Particular person type questions

The type of a number of prime gamers is actually an enormous query mark heading into this camp. Not solely does it increase questions by way of how rusty they’re however it additionally raises questions whether or not or not these gamers will be capable to begin all three video games.

Tim Weah hasn’t began a sport since February 2. He has performed 1004 Ligue 1 minutes this season and 1355 minutes whole this season for Lille. He’s performed simply 134 minutes since that February 2 begin in a 5-1 loss to PSG and his minutes have typically been declining at Lille the previous two months.

Gio Reyna has solely lately returned from his damage. He’s made simply three appearances since his September damage (with only one begin).

Tyler Adams is one other key participant to the U.S. staff. He has made only one begin for Leipzig within the Bundesliga (and one within the Europa) for the reason that final worldwide window.

Ricardo Pepi hasn’t been a part of the staff so long as the opposite three gamers, however he was thought-about the highest No. 9 for the staff at key factors throughout this event and his transfer to Augsburg has been robust and he’s nonetheless but to attain.  

These gamers have lengthy been considered being key to Berhalter’s plans for the staff. All three should not coming into the window in an awesome place by way of momentum and Berhalter touched upon all 4.

With Reyna, Berhalter stated he wouldn’t rule out enjoying Reyna within the center and added that “the issue is just his rhythm, his fitness, and his gametime the past five months.”

The actual grind of enjoying in Mexico Metropolis makes it exhausting to see Reyna being thought-about as a starter for that sport and the way a lot of his function will doubtless come right down to how he reveals in coaching firstly of subsequent week. Berhalter added that he’s “mindful of his workload” the previous few weeks.

With Pepi, he has made the staff regardless of not scoring. Berhalter stated he needs all his strikers scoring and stated Pepi’s lack of objectives “is a concern of mine but I’ve spoken to him at length and he’s ready to go this window.” He added that “it’s about getting back to the basics with him.”

Relating to Weah, Berhalter famous that Weah “has been getting a little bit more game time lately but certainly not the 90 minutes that we expect out of him. That is a little bit of a concern.” He added that he’s most likely going to have to make use of Weah in spots and that it’s not sensible to anticipate he can play three 90 minute video games.

With Adams, Berhalter was blunt in that it comes right down to “mind over matter” with Adams and that “he’s an important part of the team who has to be on the field.”

It was completely different solutions to all three gamers. What’s to make of it? It appears that evidently Tyler Adams will begin except he’s suspended (he’s carrying a yellow card). Weah will most likely begin one or two video games within the upcoming window, however his minutes have been a priority. Pepi may be in a troublesome spot on this window to start out and it looks like Berhalter has him concerned to work with him. Reyna seems to be on a wait and see foundation.

Changing McKennie

McKennie has develop into such an vital a part of the staff and he’s so distinctive that he can’t actually get replaced immediately. It’s going to take a unique strategy.

Tyler Adams will certainly begin on the No. 6 except he will get suspended, then it is going to be Kellyn Acosta. However even with Adams on the sphere, enjoying Acosta with him would supply for a few of the defensive chew Mckennie brings – however it will lack the offense. Berhalter additionally added that Luca de la Torre, Gianluca Busio, and Brenden Aaronson had been gamers he see serving to to fill the void left by McKennie.

In the meantime, Musah appears as if he can be extra of the superior/attacking midfield function in that formation (whereas he could possibly be backed up by Reyna or Cristian Roldan).

EPB, Pefok performed onto the staff

Two gamers who performed themselves onto the staff had been Jordan Pefok and Erik Palmer-Brown.

Jordan Pefok is a participant who has simply been scoring at an incredible clip within the Swiss Tremendous League and is the main scorer within the league. With 10 objectives in his final 9 video games, he’s the main scorer within the league with 17 objectives. He additionally has 5 objectives within the Champions League (and qualifiers) for 22 in all competitions. His type has been lights out.

He won’t have an entire skillset together with his hold-up play and his passing, however he’s scoring objectives and he’s very robust to defend near aim. He’s scoring at price the place you merely can’t go away him off. Not solely would it not not be truthful to him, it will ship a nasty message to others within the pool that type doesn’t matter. If different American strikers had been scoring as nicely, that might be one factor. However they’re not – domestically or overseas. So, this was a no brainer and Pefok additionally has an awesome probability of enjoying plenty of minutes this window.

Erik Palmer-Brown wasn’t essentially a no brainer. Apart for a couple of moments, central protection has been a supply of power for the U.S. staff. However McKenzie has light, Richards is injured, and there continues to be a saga with Brooks. Palmer-Brown has solely been capped by the U.S. staff in Dave Sarachan’s transient tenure. He’s been a journeyman together with his loans from Manchester Metropolis however his present stint at Troyes in Ligue 1 has allowed him to play in a “Big Five” league. The previous three months he has actually seized the chance.

He additionally appears like a central defender who might give Berhalter what he needs. In contrast with different gamers, resembling Celtic’s Cameron Carter-Vickers, who need to get into the combo, Palmer-Brown presents stable passing, good footspeed, and a high-level soccer IQ. Palmer-Brown won’t play a lot this window as Zimmerman and Robinson needs to be essentially the most dependable starters. However this can be a good alternative for him to start out constructing his case for the longer term and maybe making a late push to make the World Cup staff, ought to it qualify.

The notable absence

As with each roster, there are notable absence. Here’s a take a look at essentially the most notable absences.

John Brooks is by far essentially the most notable absence on this roster however provided that he has not been with the staff since September, it was hardly stunning. Final 12 months he was coping with an damage after which there have been considerations over his type. Right this moment, Berhalter stated he spoke with Brooks at size however added that he didn’t match how the staff needed to play this window.

With out figuring out the character of the discussions between Brooks and Berhalter, there are some things in Brooks’ historical past which are vital to notice. He has traditionally had a troublesome time getting together with managers in his previous. His relationship with Jurgan Klinsmann wasn’t easy. He’s been known as out a couple of occasions publicly in Germany by varied managers and this previous season, he’s been on the receiving finish of very harsh tales in BILD (some speculating the supply for the articles was Wolfsburg). Final month, the membership introduced Brooks was not going to return subsequent season after his contract is up this summer season.

With out even mentioning Berhalter, Brooks has had a troublesome time with managers in his profession. He does typically work his means by means of issues, however it’s a course of. Berhalter at present stated the door for Brooks’ return is open and I imagine that. Brooks’ absences have been among the many extra talked about tales within the final a number of USMNT roster releases. Maybe his return is finest left to a time when there’s far much less stress on the staff than there’s within the coming two weeks. Berhalter additionally famous that he has spoken intimately with Brooks lately.

Gyasi Zardes wasn’t known as up and the reply for which is that he merely was outplayed as a No. 9 by Jordan Pefok. Jesus Ferreira can be on the roster, however he’s a unique skillset who presents just a little Berhalter just a little selection in how he can assault.

Josh Sargent was the identical as Zardes in that he was outplayed by Pefok.  Berhalter continued to notice on Thursday that he believes Sargent will develop into a top-quality No. 9 sooner or later however these days he’s been enjoying on the wing at Norwich and simply hasn’t been getting the alternatives to attain.

Sebastian Lletget was not a shock to being left off the roster. Whereas Lletget has been enjoying nicely to start out the season for New England, his function on the U.S. staff has been diminishing and he hasn’t performed for the staff in seven video games. It looks like time that as de la Torre continues to impress, Reyna is returning, and even Roldan is enjoying actually robust soccer for Seattle (whereas additionally embracing his function on the U.S. staff as a high-energy, late sub) that there isn’t room this time for Lletget. He might get a glance this summer season, however he actually must surge for New England within the months forward.

How the U.S. might line up

There are plenty of questions for the way the U.S. might lineup in these home windows.

In aim, my guess is that it is going to be Zack Steffen or Ethan Horvath. I believe Sean Johnson is quantity three at this camp. The truth that Steffen has returned provides him the sting, however it can most likely be a choice. If Steffen passes the bodily checks given to him, I believe he begins at Azteca and within the different video games.

Central protection is probably going going to be Walker Zimmerman and Miles Robinson. Robinson hasn’t been nice within the early season with Atlanta, however Zimmerman continues to be wonderful for Nashville. Lengthy continues to be solely in his first few video games again from damage and Palmer-Brown hasn’t performed but below Berhalter. James Sands appears like he’s on the staff to cowl in each protection and within the midfield.

Fullbacks proper now are up within the air. Antonee Robinson is the beginning left again and if Dest is out (which looks like an actual risk) one other left again will must be known as in. That will additionally most likely put Reggie Cannon into the beginning proper again function. Cannon is okay defensively, however he doesn’t have the explosiveness in getting ahead.

Within the midfield, Adams is a lock to start out (except he picks up a yellow and is suspended). Acosta may seem to be the logical substitute for McKennie in Azteca given his success towards El Tri and the necessity for a extra defensive strategy. Towards Panama and Costa Rica, it may be a state of affairs that extra favors Luca de la Torre. In essentially the most superior place, Musah appears just like the best choice now and it appears unlikely that Reyna needs to be favored to start out. If Musah can’t go, Brenden Aaronson may slide into that function.

Pulisic is a lock starter on the left wing. Weah is a little bit of a wild card proper now. He’s performed nicely for the U.S. staff however he’s not enjoying lots for his membership. In the meantime, Brenden Aaronson has been robust for Salzburg however he performs as a No. 10 there. Weah and Aaronson ought to break up time on the best wing with Aaronson additionally doubtless enjoying within the midfield. If that occurs, Morris might see time – and his type is selecting up properly for Seattle.

Lastly, up prime I believe Berhalter will need to experience the new hand with Pefok and I believe Jesus Ferreira has a superb probability to play some minutes off the bench. Pepi is a troublesome participant to placed on the sphere proper now together with his type and confidence. What number of minutes he performs might come right down to how he reveals in coaching when camp opens subsequent week.