ASN’s Brian Sciaretta previews the weekend in American soccer and appears at different points akin to Pulisic extending his time in Milan, the CONCACAF Champions Cup, the USMNT March roster, and this weekend’s high video games
BY
Brian Sciaretta
Posted
February 28, 2025
10:00 AM
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Let’s begin with the nationwide staff
Predicting the USMNT roster for March
Earlier this week, we discovered the USMNT’s preliminary roster for the Nations League closing. That consisted of 60 gamers. However what’s going to the ultimate roster appear like?
Right here is my present guess in addition to some ideas.
Goalkeepers (3): Matt Turner, Zack Steffen, Patrick Schulte
Defenders (7): Antonee Robinson, Joe Scally, Tim Ream, Chris Richards, Miles Robinson, Mark McKenzie, Walker Zimmerman
Midfielders (8): Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie, Johnny Cardoso, Yunus Musah, Gio Reyna, Tanner Tessmann, Jack McGlynn, Brenden Aaronson
Attackers (5): Christian Pulisic, Tim Weah, Alejandro Zendejas, Josh Sargent, Patrick Agyemang
There are some areas the place I’m struggling. Within the November camp, Mauricio Pochettino elected to not carry backup fullbacks. He prompt that he was snug utilizing gamers who play different positions be the backup fullbacks (such has Tim Ream or Weston Mckennie to backup at left again or have Miles Robinson, Tim Weah, Tyler Adams, or Yunus Musah to backup at proper again).
The truth that John Tolkin left January camp early and remains to be new at Holstein Kiel, it most likely means the November method will proceed.
I listed 5 central defenders. That additionally may not be the case but when Miles Robinson can play proper again or Tim Ream at left again, then it’d make sense. Additionally, if Pochettino desires to have the potential of taking part in three within the again, then it’d make sense. For now, Tim Ream, Chris Richards, Mark McKenzie, and Miles Robinson appear to be the incumbents. The fifth centerback most likely goes to Zimmerman given his means to win balls within the air and with the actual fact he was simply with the membership. Auston Trusty and Cameron Carter-Vickers are distinct prospects.
Midfield has plenty of candidates with an enormous pool. Adams, McKennie, and Musah are locks with Cardoso being extremely doubtless. Pochettino has been filled with reward for Tanner Tessmann and Jack McGlynn impressed in January whereas additionally giving the staff a special fashion of participant (robust left foot who can move/shoot from vary). Brenden Aaronson additionally appears very doubtless given his vitality and flexibility.
Then there’s Gio Reyna. He’s wholesome however not taking part in a lot – once more. It has been years since final performed frequently. However he has executed very effectively within the Nations League prior to now. Will Pochettino inform Reyna to return again when he begins taking part in frequently, or will he wish to give him a glance based mostly on his previous? I believe he will get in, however I’m not all that assured. If not, maybe that opens the door for Diego Luna or Paxten Aaronson.
At ahead, Pulisic and Weah are locks for the wings. The backup winger positions once more are large open. There isn’t a arguing with how effectively Zendejas has performed lately. There’s additionally the likelihood that Aaronson (both, if Paxten makes it), Reyna, and even Musah can play there.
Middle ahead is difficult because of the lengthy record of accidents. Josh Sargent has to make it given his type. However Pochettino might want to take yet another. Downs is crimson sizzling, however this may not be the time or place for a primary call-up. That leaves Agyemang, White, or Vazquez who’ve all been concerned below Pochettino. White is taking part in one of the best out of the three, however Agyemang might need caught his eye essentially the most.
CONCACAF: Brian White leads Vancouver
The primary spherical of the CONCACAF Champions Cup completed this week with MLS groups LAFC, Inter Miami, Vancouver, Seattle, and Cincinnati all advancing. Three MLS groups have been eradicated. Colorado misplaced to LAFC and Sporting KC misplaced to Inter Miami.
The one MLS staff to be eradicated by a non-MLS staff was Actual Salt Lake which conceded late at residence in a loss to Herediano. Actual Salt Lake is in unhealthy form. Between the CONCACAF loss and the 4-0 loss to San Jose within the season opener, powerful questions must be requested. They bled plenty of expertise within the offseason and had no set plan to exchange them.
One factor that caught my eyes was Brian White’s huge sport on Thursday as Vancouver rallied for a 2-0 win over Saprissa (3-2 combination). Brian White scored each targets. As he pushes on the perimeter of the USMNT, performances like these assist quite a bit.
And we have got this man till 2027 ????#VWFC | #ConcaChampions pic.twitter.com/HO2OcrkfhH
— Vancouver Whitecaps FC (@WhitecapsFC) February 28, 2025
Wanting forward, one MLS staff is assured to advance to the quarterfinals as Columbus and LAFC face one another in a matchup between the league’s finest groups over the past a number of seasons. Columbus additionally bled plenty of expertise and isn’t in as nice of a place as they have been of their run to the ultimate final season.
Inter Miami will host Cavalier of Jamaica in a matchup that closely favors Miami. Ought to they advance, they may face the winner of LAFC/Columbus – which paves a approach for MLS to be represented within the semifinal.
There are three MLS vs. Liga MX matchups.
Vancouver will meet Monterrey in a matchup that favors the Mexican aspect.
Seattle will face Cruz Azul that needs to be a very good matchup between groups which can be amongst one of the best of their respective leagues.
— Seattle Occasions Sports activities (@SeaTimesSports) February 27, 2025
The perfect matchup between Liga MX and MLS, nonetheless, is Cincinnati and Tigres as Cincinnati has reloaded and appears very spectacular within the early elements of the season.
Lastly, the defending champions LA Galaxy will now host Herediano however it is a huge alternative for Herediano to proceed its run because the Galaxy aren’t effectively ready to cope with their accidents in the intervening time.
Struggling AC Milan eye Pulisic extension
AC Milan dropped a 2-1 loss to Bologna on Thursday and Milan are in poor form. For awhile, Christian Pulisic was nearly propping them up however now even Pulisic isn’t taking part in effectively. Milan is now eradicated from the Champions League and is a nasty spot in Serie A. Sitting eighth, Milan is three factors out of Europe and eight factors out of the Champions League.
However speak about the place they’re within the desk is meaningless till they will play higher.
Concerning Pulisic, his current stoop needs to be no trigger for concern. We’ve seen what he can do over an prolonged interval and there are bumps within the street.
However Milan’s technical director Geoffrey Moncada lately stated Milan is near signing Pulisic to an extension.
“We’ve done everything to extend contracts with the players,” stated Moncada. “The important thing is to have control over the players—we can never afford to lose them on a free transfer. We work hard, and it seems to me that the players are very happy to stay with us. Pulisic and Reijnders? We’re very close.”
Is that this the suitable transfer for Pulisic? He’s had a good time since touchdown in Italy however Milan is in a nasty spot.
Nonetheless, it’s most likely the suitable choice. Throughout these negotiations, he’s most likely been given a sign over the course of the membership and the steps that will probably be taken. Plus, there isn’t a assure that any new membership he joins won’t hit a tough spot as effectively. If he can keep on a profitable cope with a membership that has allowed him to play one of the best soccer of his profession, he ought to lean in direction of staying.
Weekend lookahead
As for the video games developing, here’s a little bit of what I will probably be watching.
Josh Sargent has 8 targets in his final seven Championship video games. This weekend provides him an necessary second to attain as Norwich visits a Blackburn staff that holds sixth place (the ultimate playoff place). A win would transfer Norwich inside one level of Blackburn. These are the video games for Sargent to show his price and a win reignites Norwich’s promotional effort.
Brenden Aaronson and Leeds United host fifth-place West Brom in a sport between two good groups. A Leeds win may see them begin to fully run away with automated promotion.
Within the Eredivisie, Paxten Aaronson is having an awesome season however has work to do with the intention to get into the USMNT image. They’ve fallen from second place to fifth. This sport is necessary for each Aaronson and Utrecht.
Johhny Cardoso and Actual Betis will host Actual Madrid on Saturday in a really excessive profile sport in Spain. This will probably be an enormous check for Cardoso and a enjoyable look ahead to USMNT followers.
Tanner Tessmann has been taking part in much more for Lyon in Ligue 1 and on Sunday they host ninth place Brest with an opportunity to climb into the European positions.
Sunday will see one other version of Croatia’s fierce Everlasting Derby between Dinamo Zagreb and Hajduk Cut up. Rokas Pukstas began final weekend and might be in line for a begin on this all the time intense sport.
In MLS, the most effective video games this weekend will probably be on Saturday when Philadelphia hosts FC Cincinnati. Cincinnati has come out of the sport in robust vogue in MLS and in CONCACAF video games and Pat Noonan’s staff appears promising. In the meantime, Philadelphia made huge teaching change within the offseason and defeated Orlando away within the opening week. Miles Robinson has been nice for Cincy as he appears to get into the USMNT March roster.
— FC Cincinnati (@fccincinnati) February 27, 2025
Within the first MLS sport of the weekend, Charlotte hosts Atlanta United in a sport between two of the higher groups within the Jap Convention. There’s additionally plenty of American really feel to this sport. Tim Ream is necessary to Charlotte and he’s making an attempt to not age out of the USMNT pool. Patrick Agyemang, in the meantime, is making an attempt to claw his approach into it. Seattle has a brand new look and is deep throughout the board.
One other sport that needs to be fascinating is San Jose’s go to to Sporting KC. Sporting is struggling and is off to a tricky begin. Bruce Area is making an attempt to launch one other main fast rebuild with San Jose and the early returns are robust.
Lastly, I will probably be on the Purple Bull vs. Nashville sport. The Purple Bulls weren’t unhealthy within the 1-0 loss away to Cincinnati. The Bulls have one other probability to be respectable, but once more.
