ASN’s Brian Sciaretta breaks down the USMNT roster for the October window, which is able to see Mauricio Pochettino take management of the crew for the primary time.
BY
Brian Sciaretta
Posted
October 02, 2024
9:00 AM
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ON WEDNESDAY, United States nationwide crew head coach Mauricio Pochettino named his first roster since taking the job final month. His rent marked a daring try by the federation to take a position closely within the crew because it builds in the direction of cohosting the World Cup in 2026. In October he’ll take his first steps in friendlies towards Panama and Mexico.
The massive takeaway is that the roster accommodates only a few adjustments. From the September camp, which was coached by Mikey Varas, solely Gio Reyna, Chris Richards, Luca de la Torre, and Caleb Wiley had been dropped from this roster. That was as a result of all 4 gamers being injured in the intervening time. The one participant dropped from the September roster not as a result of damage was Diego Kochen – who was a speculative choose and can largely be with the U-20 crew.
When it comes to additions, Antonee Robinson rejoined the crew. This was anticipated. The crew additionally introduced again Miles Robinson into central protection with Richards out and Cameron Carter-Vickers nonetheless coping with a toe damage that stored him out of the September camp.
When it comes to surprises, the largest is that Zack Steffen and Gianluca Busio each rejoined the crew for the primary time since 2022. Busio just lately competed within the Olympics with the U.S. crew. Steffen, in the meantime, was invited to rejoin the goalkeeping pool at a time wen most of the gamers in Europe are usually not incomes minutes.
Right here is the roster (golf equipment, nation, caps, and targets) together with just a few ideas.
USMNT Roster
GOALKEEPERS (4): Ethan Horvath (Cardiff Metropolis/WAL; 9/0), Patrick Schulte (Columbus Crew; 2/0), Zack Steffen (Colorado Rapids; 29/0), Matt Turner (Crystal Palace/ENG; 45/0)
DEFENDERS (8): Marlon Fossey (Normal Liege; 1/0), Kristoffer Lund (Palermo/ITA; 5/0), Mark McKenzie (Toulouse/FRA; 14/0), Tim Ream (Charlotte FC; 62/1), Antonee Robinson (Fulham/ENG; 46/4), Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati; 29/3), Joe Scally (Borussia Monchengladbach/GER; 12/0), Auston Trusty (Celtic/SCO; 2/0)
MIDFIELDERS (7): Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United/ENG; 44/8), Gianluca Busio (Venezia/ITA; 13/1), Johnny Cardoso (Actual Betis/ESP; 17/0), Weston McKennie (Juventus/ITA; 56/11), Aidan Morris (Middlesbrough/ENG; 7/0), Yunus Musah (AC Milan/ITA; 41/0), Malik Tillman (PSV Eindhoven/NED; 14/0)
FORWARDS (6): Folarin Balogun (Monaco/FRA; 17/5), Ricardo Pepi (PSV Eindhoven; 30/10), Christian Pulisic (AC Milan/ITA; 73/31), Josh Sargent (Norwich Metropolis/ENG; 25/5), Timothy Weah (Juventus/ITA; 41/6), Haji Wright (Coventry Metropolis/ENG; 13/4)
Continuity prevails
Pochettino is beginning his tenure with robust continuity. He took the September roster and solely dropped gamers from that group in the event that they had been injured (Richards, Reyna, Cowell, and Wiley). With new gamers, he introduced again in no-brainers like Weston McKennie and Antonee Robinson. Then he added Miles Robinson who additionally has been a mainstay with the crew for the previous 4 years at any time when he has been wholesome. All three of those call-ups had been with gamers on the Copa America roster.
There was nobody referred to as as much as this roster who has by no means been referred to as up earlier than. Gianluca Busio and Zack Steffen had been probably the most unique and stunning picks provided that neither participant has been with the USMNT since 2022. However Steffen rejoins the crew at a interval when the goalkeeping place is poor and the highest two keepers for the reason that World Cup are struggling mightily for minutes (Horvath and Turner). Pochettino going with a dependable choice in Steffen is sensible provided that he generally is a regular hand in goalkeeping when everybody else is up for grabs.
Busio, in the meantime, has performed in World Cup qualifiers and in a Gold Cup successful marketing campaign. He isn’t a stunning choose, however he could be probably the most stunning choose on this roster.
For me, probably the most definitive choose on the roster was Ethan Horvath. There’s little or no motive for him to be chosen to this crew given that he’s a back-up on the worst crew within the Championship, and 4 goalkeepers in anybody camp is pointless. The truth that Horvath made this crew greatest helps the take that Pochettino didn’t wish to begin dropping gamers with out assembly anybody in a camp.
Pochettino stated on his media name that the one participant he has met since taking the job was Antonee Robinson, and that was by probability at a restaurant in London.
It appears as if there’ll possible be adjustments, however that can happen over time.
Notes from Pochettino’s media name
Whereas Pochettino stated he hasn’t spoken a lot to gamers, that can change after this camp. He additionally added that visa points made it troublesome for him to journey just lately, however that has been resolved.
He stated he was impressed by the assist employees at U.S. Soccer, and so they helped to assemble this roster. He stated that factored into the rationale behind the continuity.
When it comes to particular gamers, Pochettino didn’t converse a lot. He spoke a bit in regards to the goalkeeping place and stated he believed Steffen earned the prospect to be again with the crew.
He additionally agreed with the premise of a query in that Brenden Aaronson would possibly play too many positions and he will probably be seeking to assist him uncover his greatest place and carve out a extra detailed position on the crew.
He refused to say particular gamers by title, however he added there have been some younger gamers he’s eying to herald for the primary time within the camps forward.
However the first camp will probably be essential and it appears as if all of the gamers will probably be arriving with a clear slate and the actual fact he has had no organized conferences/discussions with the gamers will play a job in that clear slate. Pochettino stated that after this primary camp, there will probably be extra common contact with gamers within the broader participant pool.
It’s in regards to the prime gamers
Roster releases are sometimes enjoyable for the supporters of nationwide groups to see if there are new faces included or if there are acquainted names being disregarded.
That’s definitely true for the USMNT beneath Pochettino and future rosters will probably be extra intriguing as the brand new supervisor appears to be like to place his fingerprints on the crew.
However the U.S. crew has not had a superb yr. It barely prevented an unpleasant elimination on the Nations League. The Copa America was an enormous disappointment. The USMNT has been in dangerous positions earlier than, (the largest coming in 1998, 2006, and 2017) however in these conditions the crew wanted an overhaul. The 2017 World Cup qualifying mess noticed many gamers being the method of getting phased out. The identical after France 1998 and equally after Germany 2006.
Pochettino will make probabilities to the USMNT over time, however the core will possible stay collectively. It’s amongst gamers like Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Antonee Robinson, and Sergino Dest (when he returns) the place the success of the crew will possible be determined.
Pochettino’s most essential job is to get his greatest gamers persistently taking part in nicely. He can’t have Weston McKennie taking part in the way in which he did on the Copa America. He wants Antonee Robinson to play like he does at Fulham the place he’s persistently superb.
It’s almost unattainable to examine the USMNT taking part in nicely with out Pulisic, McKennie, Robinson, and Dest on the prime of their recreation.
There are critically essential jobs too. He should lastly resolve on the crew’s greatest central protection pairing. That has by no means been clear. The identical will be stated of striker since Folarin Balogun, Ricardo Pepi, Josh Sargent, and Haji Wright have all had their moments. He must construct a constant midfield.
He additionally must have clear alternate options to Tyler Adams and Gio Reyna who battle for minutes as a result of accidents and different points.
Then there may be goalkeeping, which is up within the air given Matt Turner’s seemingly everlasting backup position. Is Patrick Schulte prepared?
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