I think he needs someone to clearly stake an emphatic claim and its clear, Moore is a known known for him, he's used him in multiple camps going back what, 3-5 years (I can't remember if he used him in '19)? He trusts that he knows his limitations (he clearly doesn't) and it's important to emphasize. He'd be 1000% done if Dest isn't injured a week ago. Hell, he's played in what, 2 windows the past 3 years? He's only here because of an injury and the olympics. I also am curious if he plays or if experiments with Weah and/or McKennie back there? I agree, it's super annoying, but honestly, I do think he's moved on, and it's Dest injury+olympics, that has him scrambling and going with veteraness. At least I hope so. It's stupid, but all coaches do this. hell the el tri coach can't seem to figure out how much better Araujo is then not just one, but a ton of their other fullbacks. This just happens, I'm glad its limited to a backup fullback in an olympic+copa window after an injury to a starter.
We knew backup RB was going to be an issue. DeJuan Jones has been out with a hamstring problem for New England. Hasn't started the last 5 games. Came off the bench this past weekend against Philly. Maybe if we didn't have the Olympic camp conflict, it would have been Reynolds or Harriel. No matter who Berhalter picked to be backup RB, there were going to be eyebrows raised on that one. Moore was at January camp.
One would like to think its Tillman or Moore or lol Johnson (I guess Sargent could be another based upon health). Im harsh on Tillman, but after hyping him like hell six years ago, I just don't see it anymore. But I may be harsh. Last year he had 6 goal contributions all season, this year he's got 7 in 2+ months of the start of the season, so, certainly staked a claim.
I don't think so, actually. Do we need 5 CBs on the Copa roster? Do we need all of Ream, Richards, CCV, McKenzie, and Robinson? I won't be surprised if one of these CBs is sent to the Olympics. ............but they can't actually play with the U23 team in the Japan friendly.
Berhalter said there are still assessing options at right back with Sergino out. He says Scally is "like for like", but also cites Weah, McKennie, and Musah as potential options. He also indicates central defenders who can possibly play there.— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) May 20, 2024 This is by far the biggest decision Berhalter will make this summer. I list options in my preferred order: 1) McKennie to RB with Musah starting in midfield 2) Musah to RB with McKennie in midfield. Less preferred than 1 because McKennie is more reliable defending wide. I watched a fair amount of Juve and Milan this season and this is very apparent. 3) Weah to RB with Sargent or Wright starting as winger. Less preferred than 1 and 2 because Weah gives us something different (verticality for lack of a better word) as a winger. Although if Sargent or Wright looks really good I might reconsider. 4) Like for like. Basically Scally. Moore is a headscratcher. I'd have gone with Jones or Yedlin. But Jones is currently injured.
LDLT was used sparingly by Celta after he came back from injury. He's another one who might not be 100%.
Probable. Although Berhalter did mention CBs with the ability play along the back-line. McKenzie is one of those. TO me.........................probably 2 of Zimmerman, McKenzie, and Trusty to the Olympics.
I'm probably the only one who preferrs Moore over Yedlin, but there has to be one. When do they report?
I don't really have the issue with Moore others do either. Perhaps doesn't make the roster without expansion to 26 guys. But that expansion allowed Berhalter to pick a natural RB depth player. Maybe if DeJuan Jones hasn't been out with his hamstring problem, it would have been him.
Going off the Nations League starting lineups, and taking into consideration Gregg's comments that he sees Wright as a wing-forward on this roster, I think this is maybe the positional breakdown right now: GK Starter: Turner Backups: Horvath, Johnson RB Starter: Scally (or someone playing out of position?) Backup: Moore LB Starter: A. Robinson Backup: Lund CB Starters: Richards, Ream/M. Robinson(?) Backups: M. Robinson/Ream, CCV, McKenzie DM Starter: Adams (if healthy?) Backup: Cardoso (but Musah could also play here) CM Starter: McKennie Backups: Musah, de la Torre, T. Tillman AM Starter: Reyna (or a 2nd CM from the list above) Backup: M. Tillman (but Aaronson could also play here) WF Starters: Pulisic, Weah Backups: Wright, Aaronson (but Reyna could also play here) CF Starter: Balogun? (but could be any of Pepi, Sargent, or Wright) Backups: Pepi, Sargent
Weah was normally used at right back for Juve. Mckennie played there a few times early in the season, but became a fixed starter in midfield, usually in a more attacking right sided role. Weah didn't bring the attacking danger that was needed as a winger in Serie A, scoring only one goal, in Coppa Italia in a 5-0 rout. He showed good defensive tenacity at right back though, and his speed made him useful going forward. He was used almost exclusively as a defender by Allegri. I know that Weah has had a few goals for the Nats, but his scoring record at the club level is poor. His best use at a high level of competition is as a right sided defender with overlapping runs. Weah is a fine player, maybe one of our best 11, but I don't think we need to be fixated on him as an attacker, in particular since Dest has gone down hurt, and we lack quality at right back.
Maloney probably the biggest. You could also argue Reynolds over Shaq, but I think that's very much an Olympic driven decision
Berhalter has already said as much. In his comments, he mentioned Paredes, Reynolds, and Morris by name. ................and DeJuan Jones' hamstring injury is another issue perhaps impacting that decision.
Berhalter's management of the fb position over the years has been comical. All I can hope is that if Scally goes down, & maybe regardless, the option is to move Weah or Wes back. If ARob becomes unavailable or useless when it matters, God help us. To wit, we have to rest for him for the Panama game (wish it was Bolivia, but order hurts us). Thankfully the group affords.
Another reason we should've brought in Maloney who could've provided cover at both 6 and CB (and fullback in an emergency).
Zendejas, based on his play, is probably a snub. He'd probably be "next man up" if we have an injury to an attacking midfielder/winger. The guy has had 14 goals and 8 assists this season for America across all competitions. Much more impactful than Vazquez, who people seem determined to name to a squad this summer.
McKenzie is this cycle's Kellyn Acosta. He's a MLSUSA project and those guys are hard to shake not matter how many times they screw up. He'll lose points for Berhalter in group in 2026 and we'll never see him again.