GK: Steffen, Hamid, Turner Centerbacks: Brooks, Long, Miazga, Zimmerman Fullbacks: Dest, Robinson, Cannon Central mids: McKennie, Adams, Musah, Aaronson, Lletget, Cardoso Attackers: Pulisic, Reyna, Morris, Sargent, Zardes, Weah +1 (I'll take a flyer on Hoppe after this weekend's performance).
Hamid and zlong have no business on this team. There are other questionable ones in here but those two are just egregious.
For me: Locks = 7. Steffen, Dest, Brooks, Adams, McKennie, Pulisic, Reyna. Near locks = 3. ARob, Musah (only due to not declaring for us yet), Morris. I think everything else is up in the air.
Sounds about right. I personally think Robinson is a lock. We've got a lot of games between now and WCQing, and a lot can change.
I think right now those players are knocks or near knocks. A few of them are in a bit of stale form and if they don't they move from the lock position to the jostling for playing time position. Add in injuries and locks or no there will probably be changes in what we think is set right now with a few puzzle pieces filling it out.
The team that Berhalter has built so far going into WC Qualifying. GOALKEEPERS (3 spots) #1 Lock: Zack Steffen #2-3 Battle: Ethan Horvath, Bill Hamid, Matt Turner, Sean Johnson, JT Marcinkowski, David Ochoa, Brady Scott, Matt Freese, Chituri Odunze, Carlos Santos Reserve: Brad Guzan Monitor: N/A FULLBACKS (2 right backs, 2 left backs) #0/1 Right Back Locks: Sergino Dest** #1/2 Left Back Locks: Sergino Dest**, #2 Antonee Robinson Note: Sergino Dest is naturally a right back, but he might have to switch for left back due to depth abundance on the right and absence on the left. Unless Bello, Vines, or someone else emerges, that will be a necessity. Right Back Battle: DeAndre Yedlin, Reggie Cannon, Bryan Reynolds, Julian Araujo, Kyle Duncan, Aaron Herrera Left Back Battle: George Bello, Sam Vines, Chris Gloster, Marco Farfan, Tim Ream**, Kik Piere** Note: Tim Ream is pushed out at center back, but he is still in the running at left back. In a final 23, you could see Ream make the list for that reason. Note: Kik Piere needs to commit, but if he does, we need him much more at left back immediately than center back... but the same logic will apply for Piere as for Ream. Reserve: Chase Gasper (LB), Nick Lima (RB - LB), Tristan Blackmon (RB - CB) Monitor: Joseph Scally (RB) CENTER BACKS (4 spots)#1 Lock: John Brooks Note: I’m not sure even if I want to call Brooks a lock starter. He can be really hit or miss for the national team. But he is a lock to be on the 23 - at least for 2021. #2-4: Battle: Matt Miazga, Aaron Long, Walker Zimmerman, Mark McKenzie, Erik Palmer-Brown, Chris Richards, Donovan Pines, Henry Kessler, Mauricio Pineda, Miles Robinson, Aboubacar Keita, Kik Pierie**(dual, LB), Tim Ream** (LB), Reserve: Ventura Alvarado Monitor: Philippe Sandler (dual), Bryan Okoh (dual), Justen Glad, Cameron Carter-Vickers MIDFIELDERS (4 spots) #1-2/3 Lock: Wes McKennie, Tyler Adams, Yunus Musah** Note: Still waiting on Musah to commit. Also Musah might play on the wing, opening up another spot in the midfield. #4/3-4 Battle: Owen Otasowie, Johnny Cardoso, Andres Perea, Tanner Tessman, Jackson Yuiell, Eryk Williamson, Kelyn Acosta, Cristian Roldan, Bryang Kayo, Hassani Dotson, Frankie Amaya Note: Chris Durkin deserves to have his name on the list of players battling for a midfield position. Reserve: Alfredo Morales, Darlington Nagbe, Wil Trapp, Michael Bradley Monitor: Christian Cappis, James Sands, Paxton Pomykal PLAYMAKERS (2 spots) #1 Lock: Gio Reyna #2 Battle: Sebastian Lletget, Richard Ledezma (injured), Brenden Aaronson, Cole Bassett, Jesus Ferreira, Djordje Mihailovic Reserve: Julian Green, Joel Sonora Monitor: Caden Clark, Gianluca Busio, Alan Sonora, Alex Mendez, Anthony Fontana, Luca DelaTorre WINGERS (2 right / 2 left - not differentiated) #1 Lock: Christian Pulisic #2-4 Battle: Tim Weah, Jordan Morris, Chris Mueller, Paul Arriola, Konrad de la Fuente, Uly Llanez, Benji Michel, Cade Cowell, Jonathan Lewis, Yunus Musah**, Efrain Alvarez** Note: Alvarez needs to commit. Reserves: Tyler Boyd, Duane Holmes, Lynden Gooch, Joe Efford Monitor: Emmanuel Sabbi, Indiana Vassilev, Alex Mighten (dual), Cameron Harper FORWARDS (2 spots) Lock: None* Note: Matthew Hoppe knocks Sargent out of the lock list. #1-2 Battle: Josh Sargent, Matthew Hoppe, Jozy Altidore, Gyasi Zardes, Daryl Dike, Jeremy Ebobisse, Sebastian Soto, Niko Gioacchini, Jordan Siebatcheu, Aron Johannsson, Folarin Balogun (dual), Malick Sanogo (dual), Andrija Novakovich Note: Not including Ayo Akinola who is in the Canada camp. Note: I am including Folarin Balogun, Malick Sanogo, Andrija Novakovich, Jordy Siebatcheu, Aron Johannsson included in the battle list because the position is still open. Reserves: None (see reason above - anyone worth looking at will get a shot) Monitor: Charlie Kelman, Patrick Koffi, Ricardo Pepi
Sargent is a lock for the WCQing squad. I can't imagine a scenario in which he isn't. If one of those other guys (Hoppe or otherwise) goes on a tear and assumes the starting job, Sargent is still in the squad as a #2. So a bunch of those other guys have to go on a tear to knock him out, and I don't see it happening. Gioacchini plays in the French 2nd division. Soto plays in the Dutch 2nd division. Novakovich plays in the Italian 2nd division. Siebatcheu has scored a couple of goals in the Swiss league. Sanogo is only 16. One can envision a scenario in which the MLS guys like Zardes and Dike are part of the WCQing squad, but they're not knoccking Sargent out of it. When you really do an analysis of this forward pool, its almost impossible to fathom a scenario in which Sargent isn't on the WCQing roster. A lock to start? No.
That’s probably how I should have included it. Just with 2 spots - I didn’t want to hear why did you include Sargent and not Hoppe lol
One of these other guys like Gioacchini could get a move to a first division. If he is starting for Nimes or someone in France and doing well, then you have three players (Hoppe, Sargent, Nico) all at basically the same level doing the same thing. If Weah excels at the 9 in Lille...although it seems he will be on the wings. However, the current False 9ish way the System is using the #9 is designed for Sargent. No other player in the pool at the start of 2020 could press and drop in. Seeing as how Gregg has built things around Sargent, it might be hard for a run in behind guy like Zardes or Hoppe to unseat him. Nico also was not at Sargent's level dropping in. But if Nico or Hoppe do become must starts, then the system will have to change again. But this all probably wouldn't happen until the back half of qualification as any moves in the next window will be very new by the first window.
Great breakdown! I'd be happy to see Reyna moved inside and Musah (if he sticks) moved outside. Julian Green is only 25. To me, he deserves to be in he battle with Aaronson, Basset, Djordje, & Ferreira . But, I'll say it again: Great Breakdown!
I wouldn’t be surprised if Reyna on the wing was just to try it out and next time (if there is one) we do see Reyna inside and Musah wide. Musah obviously looked great but it didn’t look like we got the best out of Reyna.
If you watch some of Nico's games, he drops pretty deep and he has an excellent motor. Don't be surprises if Jordi Siebatcheu jumps in the pool of forwards. I was surprised he personally took GB's call.
after reading some recent comments from Berhalter, I have some concerns about our "A" team getting enough reps. I don't think they need 15 games together, but I also don't think you can just assemble an "Avengers" style A-team and expect them to gel after only a few days in camp together. I could see our A-team losing an away game in CONCACAF to a team that is more familiar with each other and has chemistry. What do you guys think? I don't think he should just save the A-team for must-win games.
yeah, the way the parts fit together complementarily is underrated, and it takes time to figure that out.
Going into WCQ - the current player pool (will change over next few months) GOALKEEPERS 1. Zack Steffen 2. Matt Turner 3. [Open] ~ Guzan? - A: [Open] ~ Hamid? Battle: Sean Johnson, Ethan Horvath, Brad Guzan, Bill Hamid, JT Marcinkowski, Josh Cohen Outsiders: Matt Freese, David Ochoa, Chituri Odunze, CJ Santos Note: We know Steffen is #1. Turner is closing in on locking down #2. It’s anyone’s guess who’s behind that. Horvath has fallen off a cliff. RIGHT BACKS 1. Sergino Dest (LB) 2. [Contested] ~ Reynolds? - A. [Contested] ~ Yedlin? Battle: DeAndre Yedlin, Reggie Cannon, Bryan Reynolds, Julian Araujo, Aaron Herrera (LB) Outsiders: Kyle Duncan (LB), Joe Scally, Matthew Olosunde, Tristan Blackmon, Nick Lima Note: Dest, Herrera, and Duncan might need to play left back. Moreover, anyone who can play left back will go up the depth chart. Note: Contested is different than Open. Open means no one can rightfully claim that spot. Contested means there are a number of players that can fill that spot. LEFT BACKS 1. Jedi Robinson 2. [Open] ~ Vines? - A. [Open] ~ Bello? Battle: Sam Vines, George Bello, Kik Pierie (needs to commit) Outsiders: Chris Gloster, Kobe Hernandez-Foster, Travian Sousa, Marco Farfan, Leon Flach, John Nelson, DeJuan Jones, Matt Real, and Jonathan Gomez Note: Kik Pierie (LB/CB) would jump in at #2 if he committed - and would play some CB. Note: Sam Vines is getting close to locking down that back-up spot. But I want to see a little more before I confirm. It seems that George Bello is the only legit contender behind him, but he has a long way to go. Note: are the possible faces that could emerge as a back up left back. But all of them need drastic improvement. CENTER BACKS 1. John Brooks 2. Chris Richards 3. Matt Miazga 4. Mark McKenzie - A1. Aaron Long A2. [Contested] ~ Robinson? Battle: Walker Zimmerman, Miles Robinson, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Erik Palmer-Brown Outsiders: Tim Ream, Ventura Alvarado, Justen Glad, Henry Kessler, Justin Che, Donovan Pines, Aboubacar Keita, Mauricio Pineda Note: We need Kik Pierie, but we need him more at LB than CB for now. Also, Philippe Sandler could come out of nowhere, but I’m not counting on it. MIDFIELDERS 1. Weston McKennie 2. Tyler Adams 3. Yunus Musah ~ if he commits 4. [Open] ~ Johnny? - A1. [Open] ~ Yuiell? A2. [Open] ~ Acosta? Battle: Johnny Cardoso, Owen Otasowie, Jackson Yuiell, Andres Perea, Tanner Tessman, Fredo Morales, Chris Durkin Outsiders: James Sands, Paxton Pomykal, Darlington Nagbe, Bryang Kayo, Eryk Williamson, Frankie Amaya, Hassani Dotson, Moses Nyeman, Gianluca Busio, Aiden Morris, Christian Cappis, Danny Leyva, Keaton Parks, Wil Trapp, Michael Bradley Note: We know this is the McKennie-Adams show, but who backs them up? If Musah commits, he might be McKennie’s back up. I’d feel good about that. But who backs up Adams? No one has demanded that spot yet. PLAYMAKERS/WINGERS 1. Christian Pulisic (AM, R/LW) 2. Gio Reyna (AM, R/LW) 3. Tim Weah (R/LW, FW) 4. Brenden Aaronson (AM, R/LW) 5. Jordan Morris (R/LW, FW) 6. [Contested] ~ Lletget? (AM) - A. [Contested] ~ Arriola? (R/LW) A. [Open] ~ Konrad? (R/LW) A. [Open] ~ Green? (AM, FW, R/LW) Battle: Julian Green, Paul Arriola, Konrad de la Fuente, Jonathan Lewis, Chris Mueller, Luca De la Torre, Richard Ledezma (injured) Outsiders: Duane Holmes, Tyler Boyd, Efrain Alvarez(needs to commit), Cole Bassett, Djordje Mihailovic, Alan Sonora, Alex Mendez, Anthony Fontana, Uly Llanez, Benji Michel, Caden Clark, Cade Cowell, Joe Efford, Cameron Harper, Brooks Lennon, Emmanuel Sabbi, Sebastian Saucedo, Kevin Paredes Note: most of these guys can play in the center or out wide, so I lumped them all together. FORWARDS 1. Josh Sargent 2. Matthew Hoppe - A: [Open] ~ Ferreira? Battle: Niko Gioacchini, Sebastian Soto, Daryl Dike, Haji Wright, Jesus Ferreira, Gyasi Zardes, Jozy Altidore, Folarin Balogun(needs to commit), Ayo Akinola(needs to commit), Jordan Siebatcheu(needs to commit) Outsiders: Andrija Novakovich, Aron Johannsson, Santiago Munoz(needs to commit), Charlie Kelman, Patrick Koffi, Ricardo Pepi, Jeremy Ebobisse, Malick Sanogo(needs to commit), Dante Sealy, Federico Olivia, Johan Gomez Note: The hot hand is going to pull ahead. But someone needs to prove they’re up for the job.
Striker: Zardes, Sargent Wings: Pulisic, Reyna, Morris, Arriola Mids: Mckennie, Adams, Aaronson, Yueill, Lletget, Musah (if he commits) FBs: Dest, Robinson, Yedlin, Cannon CBs: Brooks, Long, McKenzie, Miazga GK: Steffen, Turner, Horvath For the strikers, we'll see what happens over the next 8 months, but for now I can't pick against the guy who's been the best American striker in MLS for 3 straight years. I also can't bring my self to pick against someone with Sargent's talent. We'll see how The Swansea adventure goes for both Morris and Arriola, but I think this is fairly set in stone for now, unless Weah starts getting way more minutes Mids are fairly set for me too, only real question is whether Musah commits, and I think quite a few players have an argument if he doesn't If we're assuming that Dest and Robinson are our starters at FB, I'm curious how you handle depth here. If Robinson goes down, what do you do? Slide Dest left and turn to Yedlin or Cannon at RB? Or do you turn to someone like Ream or Vines? CB is a bit of a hodge-podge outside of Brooks. You could make an argument for Zimmerman, Ream, and Robinson, but ultimately I settled on those 3 A lack of playing time is concerning for Steffen, though I'm going to pencil him at #1 until Gregg gives me reason to think otherwise. I do think Turner is genuinely the 2nd best GK in the pool, and I think he should be in over Horvath. Not sure how you handle #3, I guess Horvath should be next in the pecking order, though I could see bringing in someone like Guzan as a locker room figure. 3rd string keeper tends to be a fairly meaningless position anyway
I always enjoy these because they seem geared toward 2026, which is how I would do it if I was USSF. So I like the way you think. 2 questions: why isn’t Pomykal placed in the “battle” category? He always looks better than Yuell to me.
Pomykal is going to have to prove he’s a soccer player again after so many injuries. Also, Pomykal is an 8/10 player, whereas Jackson is a #6/deep-lying playmaker. Did you have a second question?
You have got at least three players in this group who arent suited to playing a possession oriented style. What I find most interesting is that Weah needs more minutes and the concern about Steffen's minutes, but you have Arriola "set in stone". Let's compare playing time. Weah has 4G and 1A in 528 minutes this season Steffen has played 90 in 8 matches this season Arriola has played 21 minutes in the last 12 months So the guy who basically missed all of 2020 and is now going to test himself in the Championship is ahead of a guy who is a key sub and occasional starter for the best team in France? I am not a huge fan of these types of analysis and prefer just picking the best players. By both approaches, Weah is way ahead of Arriola.
This is when I don't understand that BS Eye Test. Arriola destroys Trinidad's back line that is basically semi professional and has one cap total among the 4, but that's good enough to cement his spot in the 23? Bizarre.