ASN: Pulisic, Adams, McKennie, and Dest spotlight USMNT January WCQ roster

The USMNT roster for the January qualifiers is now out and the highest gamers are all referred to as in. As with each roster, there are powerful selections and this was no exception. ASN’s Brian Sciaretta seems on the roster and affords up his breakdown. 

BY

Brian Sciaretta

Posted
January 20, 2022
4:05 PM

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UNITED STATES nationwide crew supervisor Gregg Berhalter immediately introduced his roster for the January World Cup qualifiers. The roster is usually as anticipated with only some surprises however total ought to be robust sufficient to compete nicely within the coming video games.

The US will host El Salvador in Columbus on Thursday, January twenty seventh. Then it’ll cross the border to go to Canada in Hamilton on Sunday, January thirtieth. Lastly, it’ll return stateside to host Honduras on Wednesday, February 2nd.

There’s additionally lots of continuity with 23 of the 28 gamers have been a part of the USMNT’s November World Cup Qualifying roster.

There’s additionally the backdrop of COVID. Berhalter has mentioned that there are gamers on standby and able to to be added shortly. He additionally mentioned that Gianluca Busio was set to be referred to as in however needed to be eliminated because of COVID. It’s certainly an advanced state of affairs that would pressure sudden modifications for the U.S. crew or its opponents.

Right here is the roster together with some ideas.

The Roster
(Membership/Nation; Caps/Targets)

GOALKEEPERS (4): Sean Johnson (New York Metropolis FC; 9/0), Gabriel Slonina (Chicago Fireplace; 0/0), Zack Steffen (Manchester Metropolis/ENG; 26/0), Matt Turner (New England Revolution; 13/0)

DEFENDERS (9): Reggie Cannon (Boavista/POR; 22/1), Sergiño Dest (Barcelona/ESP; 15/2), Brooks Lennon (Atlanta United; 1/0), Mark McKenzie (Genk/BEL; 8/0), Chris Richards (Hoffenheim/GER; 6/0), Antonee Robinson (Fulham/ENG; 15/3), Miles Robinson (Atlanta United; 15/3), DeAndre Yedlin (Galatasaray/TUR; 71/0), Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC; 23/2)

MIDFIELDERS (7): Kellyn Acosta (LAFC; 45/2), Tyler Adams (RB Leipzig/GER; 22/1), Luca de la Torre (Heracles/NED; 4/0), Sebastian Lletget (New England Revolution; 33/8), Weston McKennie (Juventus/ITA; 28/8), Yunus Musah (Valencia/ESP; 11/0), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders; 30/0)

FORWARDS (8): Brenden Aaronson (Purple Bull Salzburg/AUT; 15/5), Paul Arriola (D.C. United; 42/8), Jesús Ferreira (FC Dallas; 5/2), Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders; 40/10), Ricardo Pepi (Augsburg/GER; 7/3), Christian Pulisic (Chelsea/ENG; 42/17), Tim Weah (Lille/FRA; 18/2), Gyasi Zardes (Columbus Crew; 66/14)

Pulisic, Morris, & the wings

The wing place is considerably totally different than at any interval of World Cup qualifying. Christian Pulisic is at his greatest health at any level since August and won’t be restricted to substitute minutes on this window. That alone is an enormous increase to the crew.

There are lots of different kind/health questions on the wing positions. Brenden Aaronson has been on the Austrian Bundesliga winter break for over a month and has solely been taking part in friendlies. Tim Weah has solely simply returned from an harm he suffered on December 3.  Arriola rested through the December window and can be within the offseason. Jesus Ferreira isn’t actually a winger however can play there out of place.

Berhalter mentioned there will probably be lots of rotation on the wings and you’ll see that mirrored within the present roster.

“When I look at the winger position in particular, we have Christian, Brendan, Timmy, Paul, and Jordan Morris, who are who are more than capable of playing that position,” Berhalter mentioned. “Between those five, we’re pretty confident we can get performances that will last 90 minutes…But overall, we think that the value of a guy like Brendan and Tim is worth it, even though they’re not 90 minute fit per se, although Brandon has played three friendly games for Salzburg in preseason.”

Brooks, Scally high notable absences

With any roster, there are at all times notable absences. Some are shocking, some should not.

John Brooks is essentially the most notable omission on condition that he was as soon as considered a key a part of the crew however will miss out on his second straight window. In November, Gregg Berhalter cited Brooks’ kind as a cause he was left off. Since then, Brooks has had some good outings, however Wolfsburg has been in a slide with no win in 9 video games throughout all competitions.

“There’s absolutely nothing beyond form with John,” Berhalter mentioned of Brooks. “We think that he has the opportunity to play a role with us in the future for this window we decided based on how we’re looking at these games, and what are the strengths of our opponent, that he wouldn’t be the best fit for this particular window. We’re hoping that he regains his form for Wolfsburg, and they start winning games and and move themselves up the table and he’s a key part of that.”

Joe Scally can be a shock on condition that he has began most of Borussia Monchengladbach’s video games this season taking part in each left and proper again. Few anticipated Scally to be a starter however his versatility made it appear to be he could be a viable backup. As a substitute, Berhalter has named Yedlin, Cannon, and Lennon to go behind the presumed starters of Dest and Antonee Robinson.

Daryl Dike just lately accomplished his transfer from Orlando to West Bromwich Albion, however Dike has struggled for call-ups underneath Berhalter whether or not at Barnsley or Orlando. To get again into the fold, Dike might want to go on a run at West Brom.

Jordan Pefok has been on a winter break in Switzerland and solely taking part in friendlies. In that regard, it isn’t shocking he’s neglected, however it turns into notable on condition that Dike and Sargent have been additionally neglected. He’s one other participant that Berhalter appears to be lukewarm on.

Josh Sargent ended his Premier League scoreless streak simply after the roster got here out. If he had a objective within the earlier weeks, wouldn’t it have helped him? Undoubtedly. In contrast to Pefok or Dike, Berhalter has been desirous to have Sargent within the fold, however Sargent performed his method off with a protracted scoreless streak. He appears extra possible than different forwards to get again on the within in future home windows if he can play higher forward f a roster launch.

Tim Ream is older however having an incredible season with Fulham. Has Berhalter moved past Ream to decide on youthful choices? He chosen Mark McKenzie for this roster and Ream has been higher just lately – and all season – in contrast with McKenzie. McKenzie is youthful and has the brighter future.

Sam Vines was not chosen to the crew after he served because the backup left again in November (the place he didn’t play). His appearances with Royal Antwerp have been fairly good however Berhalter goes to make use of beginning proper again Sergino Dest to possible function the backup left again on condition that there are three different proper backs.

Slonina & de la Torre shocking inclusions

A lot of the roster was to be anticipated though there have been some shocking inclusions.

Gabriel Slonina was chosen as a fourth goalkeeper regardless of there being a U-20 camp this window as nicely. However Berhatler is displaying lots of confidence within the Chicago Fireplace product in protecting him with the complete crew and having him surrounded by gamers like Zack Steffen and Matt Turner. With the nationwide crew needing to get youthful on the goalkeeping place, Slonina is given a greenlight to be that participant. A name up like this additionally helps to maintain Poland away as Slonina has expressed openness ought to their federation name even on the youth nationwide crew stage.

Luca de la Torre made the roster and is at present amid a stable season with Heracles. The central midfielder will beef up the No. 8 place with the absence of Gianluca Busio. De la Torre has wished a possibility to make his mark and he can have a great likelihood this camp to make an argument.

Brooks Lennon was a little bit of a shock to make the crew, however he’s a part of an overloaded proper again contingent (Dest, Cannon, Yedlin, and Lennon). Lennon is way extra offensively oriented than Yedlin or Cannon in all probability gained’t play a lot but when the crew wants an offensive choice, he might be the man. Berhalter has cited Lennon’s optimistic performances in camp throughout media availabilities.

Potential lineups & questions

It appears possible a bunch of positions are identified in a first-choice lineup. Sergino Dest and Antonee Robinson are the possible beginning fullbacks. The beginning midfield trio ought to be Adams, McKennie, and Musah. Pulisic and Aaronson are favorites to begin on the wings and Pepi is probably going going to begin up high.

However listed here are the questions that I’ve as camp opens:

1)      Who’s the beginning goalkeeper, and can there be turnover over the course of the three video games in objective?

2)      Miles Robinson, Walker Zimmerman, Chris Richards, and Mark McKenzie are the 4 central defenders. How will that group rotate?

3)      How will Tyler Adams carrying a yellow card have an effect on the lineup? Will he be saved for essentially the most difficult sport in Canada and miss the primary sport? What’s the plan within the midfield if he’s suspended?

4)      Brenden Aaronson has been one of many crew’s greatest gamers however has performed solely in friendlies recently, how will his kind and health be?

5)      If Antonee Robinson can’t go or is suspended, how is the fullback pairing altered? Dest goes to the left, however who goes into the proper?

6)      What’s Tim Weah able to over these three video games given his solely latest return from harm in restricted motion.

7)      What’s the type of Sergino Dest given his lack of prolonged minutes at Barcelona underneath Xavi?