I'm counting on an all-MLS U23 team. Maybe Saucedo gets in. Cancellation of the U20 WC should free up more talent for the U23 team. Bassett, Bello, and Araujo would be available.
January Camp 2021 GK Matt Turner, Sean Johnson, JT Marcinkowski RB Julian Araujo, Bryan Reynolds LB Chase Gasper, George Bello, Sam Vines CB Mark McKenzie, Walker Zimmerman, Aaron Long M6 Jackson Yuiell, James Sands M8 Eryk Williamson, Cole Bassett 10 Sebastian Lletget (CPT), Gianluca Busio RW Chris Mueller, Jesus Ferreira FW Ayo Akinola, Jeremy Ebobisse LW Jordan Morris, Caden Clark
And if that’s my January Camp, my December camp - if not limited would be... GK Zack Steffen, Ethan Horvath, Bill Hamid RB Sergino Dest, DeAndre Yedlin CB John Brooks, Matt Miazga, Erik Palmer-Brown, Ventura Alvarado LB Antonee Robinson, Kobe Hernandez-Foster (or Chris Gloster) MF Tyler Adams, Wes McKennie, Chris Durkin, Fredo Morales AM Gio Reyna, Brenden Aaronson R/LW Christian Pulisic, Yunus Musah, Emmanuel Sabbi FW Josh Sargent, Haji Wright, Aron Johannsson Comments: I want my best XI, but I’d alternate my bench.
The December camp isn't on a FIFA date, so you're not getting any first team players from Europe. Not only tha,t we're unlikely to get players from the four MLS CCL teams and the four MLS Cup semifinalists. So it'll be the best USMNT-eligible players from the remaining MLS teams with an emphasis on youth. We already know that three FCD players have been called up if their team is eliminated (Tessmann, Reynolds, and Ferreira). It's unclear whether we're having a January camp.
An updated look at the Olympic / Gold Cup team. Note, I still go back and forth on which to prioritize. Personally, I’d favor the Olympics because it’s the bigger stage tournament, we keep that core of the golden age together, and I don’t know what we gain by winning the Gold Cup. But I’m not sure what Berhalter will do. Plus, there’ll be some club call-ups and dual citizen situations (Musah, Alvarez, etc.) For now, I’ll assume no one will be denied a call up and we will have Musah, Alvarez, and the rest of our duals. Nonetheless, I’m not counting Balogun for now as he recently appeared for England’s u-20’s. Option A: We favor the OlympicsOlympics: GK Steffen***, Marcinkowski, Ochoa {Dos Santos, Odunze} RB Dest, Araujo {Reynolds, Scally} CB Richards, McKenzie {Pineda} CB Brooks***, Palmer-Brown {Glad, Kessler} LB Antonee, Bello {Kobe, Gloster} MF Adams, Johnny {Sands} MF McKennie, Otasowie {Williamson} AM Reyna, Ledezma {Bassett} RW Musah, Konrad {Sabbi, De la Torre} LW Pulisic, Llanez {Busio} FW Sargent, Weah {Soto, Gioacchini, Wright, Akinola, Dike, Hoppe} Gold Cup: GK Hamid, Horvath, Turner {Guzan} RB Cannon, Duncan {Yedlin} CB Zimmerman, Alvarado {Carter-Vickers} CB Miazga, Long {Miles} LB Vines, Gasper {Ream} MF Yuiell, Acosta {Durkin} MF Aaronson, Morales {Pomykal} AM Lletget, Green {Ferreira} RW Mueller, Alvarez {Boyd} LW Morris, Arriola {Holmes} FW Zardes, Johannsson {Altidore, Novakovich, Efford, or one of the u23’s} Option B: We favor the Gold CupGold Cup: GK Steffen, Turner, Horvath {Guzan} RB Dest, Yedlin {Lima, Scally, Chandler} CB Miazga, Long {Ream} CB Brooks, Zimmerman, {Alvarado} LB Antonee, Vines {Gasper} MF McKennie, Yuiell {Pomykal} MF Adams, Acosta {Morales} AM Reyna, Lletget {Green} RW Musah, Mueller {Boyd} LW Pulisic, Morris {Holmes, Arriola} FW Sargent, Weah {Johansson, Altidore, Zardes, Efford} Olympics: GK Hamid***, Marcinkowski, Ochoa (Odunze, Dos Santos} RB Cannon, Araujo {Reynolds} CB McKenzie, Miles {Pineda, Kessler} CB Richards, Palmer-Brown, {Glad, Carter-Vickers} LB Duncan, Bello {Gloster, Kobe, Farfan} MF Johnny, Sands {Kayo, Amaya, Perea} MF Otasowie, Durkin {Williamson} AM Aaronson, Ledezma {Bassett, Busio} RW Alvarez, Sabbi {Ferreira} LW Konrad, Llanez {De la Torre, Lewis} FW Soto, Gioacchini, {Akinola, Dike, Wright, Hoppe}
Nations League takes place in June. That should be for the A team. The Olympics(July 23 - Aug 8) will have the best of the MLS-based U23s. This group will also handle Olympic qualifying. The Gold Cup(July 10 - Aug 1) will have those who aren't in either of the above two groups. WCQing starts in September. The A Team's participation in the Nations League will allow for a normal rest schedule before start of the Euro club season.
What I’d say is our best team for Nations League and best u23 MLS (also counting out Atlanta United who is declining call ups - something I’m not happy about) Nations League:GK Steffen, Turner, Hamid RB Dest, Cannon CB Brooks, Richards CB Miazga, Long/Zimmerman LB Antonee, Gasper/Ream MF McKennie (CPT), Johnny MF Adams, Acosta/Otasowie AM Reyna, Ledezma/Aaronson RW Musah, Morris LW Pulisic, Konrad FW Sargent, Weah Olympic Qualifying - MLS u23 only (no Atlanta - Bello, Robinson, Lennon considered)GK Marcinkowski, Ochoa, Freese {Scott} RB Araujo, Reynolds {Herrera} CB McKenzie (CPT), Pineda {Keita} CB Glad, Kessler {Pines} LB Vines, Duncan {Farfan} MF Sands, Yuiell {Perea} MF Williamson, Amaya {Tessman} AM Bassett, Pomykal {Mihailovic} RW Ferreira, Clark {Fontana} LW Alvarez, Busio {Lewis} FW Akinola, Dike {Ebobisse}
My Olympic Qualifying Pool would be(in a 442)--- ---------------------------------Ebobisse/Dike/Akinola/Ferreira/Lewis/Fontana----- ----Mihailovic/Saucedo//Fernandez---------------------------------------------------Araujo/Lennon/Michel ----------------------Williamson/Yueill/Parks/Amaya------Sands/Dotson/Servania --Jones/Farfan/Vines/Bello/-----------------------------------------------------------Duncan/Herrera/Lindsey ------------------------McKenzie/Kessler/Trusty------------Robinson/Pines/Glad/Pineda --------------------------------------------Freese/Ochoa/Marcinkowski--- Pomykal had hip surgery: not sure he'll be available. 352 would also be a good look for this group. The lack of wingers in the domestic U23 pool makes 433 and 4231 less optimal. I see Lewis and Fontana as second forwards. Busio, Tessman, Bassett, Reynolds, and Bello can go with the U20s. Probably Araujo, as well. That team should have a good chance of winning the whole thing. Yueill might be with the senior team.
The U20s are now available for the other competitions. FIFA cancels 2021 editions of the men’s U17 and U-20 World Cups due to the pandemic— Rob Harris (@RobHarris) December 24, 2020
I would say that at this point the U23 Olympic football tournament is at risk of being cancelled. While its at the Olympics, the tournament is run by FIFA. The same organization that just cancelled the U17 and U20 events. Fingers crossed............. Even more likely to be cancelled is the CONCACAF U23 Championships. Those need to be scheduled NOW, and we've heard nothing. I think its highly likely that CONCACAF simply nominates teams based on previous U23 performance. That would not by the US.
Except for Concacaf, all Confederations have completed Olympic Qualifying. From a logistical standpoint, so long as there is an Olympics, I don't see why Olympic Football would be cancelled. In terms of Concacaf, I don't see why a Qualifying tourney couldn't be held in a 'bubble'. There aren't that many teams.
My updated roster... GOALKEEPERS JT Marcinkowski, Matt Turner, Bill Hamid Alternate: David Ochoa RIGHT BACKS Julian Araujo, Kyle Duncan (Bryan Reynolds omitted - pending transfer) Alternate: Aaron Herrera LEFT BACKS Sam Vines, George Bello (Chase Gasper called in, if Bello’s call up is declined) Alternate: Chase Gasper, Marco Farfan CENTER BACKS Aaron Long, Walker Zimmerman, Mark McKenzie, Henry Kessler (I’m assuming Atlanta will refuse Miles Robinson call-up) Alternate: Mauricio Pineda, Donovan Pines, Justen Glad (take your pick) #6 MIDFIELDERS: Jackson Yuiell, Andres Perea Alternate: James Sands (what’s going on with his injury?), Tanner Tessman #8 MIDFIELDERS: Eryk Williamson, Frankie Amaya, Cole Bassett Alternate: Kelyn Acosta, Paxton Pomykal #10 MIDFIELDERS: Sebastian Lletget (CPT), Gianluca Busio Alternate: Djordje Mihailovic, Anthony Fontana WINGERS: Jordan Morris, Chris Mueller, Paul Arriola, Efrain Alvarez (Caden Clark, Emmanuel Sabbi) Other alternate: Jesus Ferreira FORWARDS: Haji Wright, Daryl Dike Alternate: Jeremy Ebobisse (Ayo Akinola in Canadian camp)
If CONCACAF uses previous U23 data it doesn’t favor the US. If they are smarter they’d use the teams that did well at the age that would be up into this age group. That does favor the US.
I know what you're saying, and of course I want them to be held. We'll see. They could have done the same for CONCACAF U17 and U20 Championships, and never organized them. The CONCACAF U23 Championships are supposed to be held in Zapopan and Guadalajara, Mexico. Although not officially on the calendar yet, last I saw they were hoping to have it in mid-March. Having a bubble in Zapopan, Mexico ain't so simple. Is the COVID outbreak in the US and Mexico getting better right now? Is it better than this time last year when the 2020 tournament was cancelled? No actually, its worse. Its not really so much about the players. Are you risking the health of the volunteers, stadium workers, tournament officials, etc. for a youth soccer competition? In the grand scheme of things, is it really that important? Does CONCACAF want to pay for this bubble and all of the testing, etc. that's required? Unfortunately for us, CONCACAF is the only federation that didn't get their qualifying tournament in prior to the lockdown. The other federations got theirs in during the fall of 2019 or January of 2020. Ours was to be held aligned somewhat with the March 2020 FIFA window. Oops. I will not be surprised if they decide not to have the competition and simply nominate Mexico and Honduras based on a points system from the previous 3 U23 championships (or something like that). The Olympics themselves still aren't out of the woods yet. There's so much money at stake that they desperately want to host them.
Men's Olympic football is a young adult professional's tournament. These are with exceptions not children. Sports are being played all over the world. Life goes on. If the Mexicans can't handle a bubble then the tournament could be relocated. But given LigaMx successfully restarted, Mexico likely has the requisite capability.
It’d be a shame if they cannot figure out a way to make the Olympics work... one - for all the athletes. But two - from a selfish standpoint, I wanted to see what this US team could do.
Sports are indeed going on around the world, but these are mostly professional leagues with money on the line. Or in the US, leagues where big tv money is being spent such as NCAA football. Or European senior internationals (Nations League, etc.). I can't think of a single youth international soccer event that's happened in the past calendar year. These events like the CONCACAF U23 Championships (as well as the U17 and U20 tournaments).........................are money losers to begin with. This event is supposed to be in March (partially aligned with the FIFA window). If they're going into some sort of bubble, then we're talking about our kids getting there in early March. So we're about 3 months out. We need to hear that this is on the schedule almost immediately. They need to figure out a "bubble" for over 300 people (players, staff, administration) with the testing regimes, safe eating arrangements, travel, etc. in Jalisco, Mexico.. Do we all remember how big of a pain in the butt it was in Bradenton to do that for MLS? People remember FC Dallas and Nashville players getting into the bubble and then testing positive? Do you trust the testing regimes of the Dominican Republic, Haiti, etc. where those players are coming from? THis is really complex, and I fully expect CONCACAF to believe its not worth it. UEFA had "nominated" teams to take part in the U20 and U17 World Cups. They chose not to have qualifiers way in advance. I personally think CONCACAF could choose to do the same thing. Don't get it twisted. I hope I'm wrong, because if they nominate teams...............we're not going. I just see this coming from a mile away.
Most Olympic sports aren't any kind of serious money maker to begin with. And again, these by and large, aren't children. The Concacaf qualifying tournament has been delayed for a year, so it's not as though the possibility of having to set up a bubble would be some sort of surprise. Maybe teams will be 'nominated' rather than a qualifying tourney held. I don't discount that possibility, either.
The Olympics will happen. The question is whether CONCACAF will have qualifying or just send the same teams that went last time (and therefore not the US).
So we have the January camp. March window. Then in June we have the League of Nations. In July - we have both the Gold Cup and Olympics - which we’ll have to field two teams. Then, we start World Cup qualifying in September - 14 games - playing almost every month (3 times in January) and ending in March. Note: I hope to convey the current positional battles. January Camp GK Marcinkowski, Hamid, Turner RB Araujo, Duncan LB Vines, Bello CB Long, Zimmerman, Robinson, Kessler M6 Yuiell, Sands M8 Williamson, Busio AM Lletget (CPT), Bassett RW Mueller, Sabbi LW Morris, Alvarez, Arriola FW Dike, Wright, Johannsson Close Cuts: Johnson (GK), Ochoa (GK), Herrera, Farfan, Pineda, Glad, Pines, Gasper, Cappis, Acosta, Amaya, Perea, Tessman, Ferreira, Pomykal, Mihailovic, Clark, Lewis, Cowell, Akinola (Canada), Ebobisse, Zardes, Pepi March Friendly GK Steffen, Horvath, Santos/Odunze RB Dest, Cannon, Yedlin, Reynolds LB Robinson, Kobe/Gloster CB Brooks, Richards, McKenzie, Miazga, Palmer-Brown M6 Adams, Otasowie, Johnny, Durkin M8 McKennie, Musah, Morales AM Reyna, Aaronson, Green RW Weah, Konrad LW Pulisic, Llanez FW Sargent, Soto, Gioacchini, Novakovich, Sanogo, Hoppe, Balogun Close Cuts: Santos/Odunze (GK), Scally, Chandler, Carter-Vickers, Alvarado, Ream, Kobe/Gloster, Kayo, Mendez, Holmes, Boyd, Efford, Kelman, Koffi If I’m Berhalter, I’m calling in as many players as I can for this camp... as sort of a ‘Euro January Camp’. 35 is probably too much, but I’d try to call in at least 30. June - League of Nations GK Steffen, Hamid/Turner, Marcinkowski RB Dest, Cannon/Yedlin/Reynolds LB Robinson, +1 Cannon/Yedlin/Reynolds or Bello/Vines CB Brooks, Richards, Miazga, McKenzie (or Long, Zimmerman, or Palmer-Brown) M6 Adams, Otasowie/Johnny M8 McKennie, Musah AM Reyna, Lletget/Aaronson RW Weah, Morris LW Pulisic, Konrad (or another forward) FW Sargent, 2nd best striker (Zardes, Balogun, Sonogo, Pepi, Kelman, Dike, Akinola, Ebobisse, Altidore, Johannsson, Wright, Hoppe, Efford, Novakovich, Soto, Gioacchini) So, this would look to be my best 23. I don’t value the LoN much, but it’s a good time to test our squad, something we won’t have much opportunity to do so. I don’t know who’ll be ahead by June, so I’m posting the current battles. Olympic Squad - (No Gold Cup Players) - Note: I’m choosing to take my best XI to the Olympics over the Gold Cup - although I’d send my best non-starters to the Gold Cup. GK Steffen (over-age), Marcinkowski, Ochoa/Odunze/Santos RB Dest, Cannon {Araujo, Scally} LB Robinson, Bello {Duncan, Farfan, Kobe, Gloster} CB Richards, McKenzie, Palmer-Brown, Robinson {Kessler, Glad, CCV, Pines, Pineda} M6 Adams, Yuiell {Durkin, Sands} M8 McKennie, Bassett/Busio/Williamson AM Reyna, Ledezma (if healthy) or Bassett, Busio, Alvarez, Ferreira, Pomykal, Mendez, De la Torre RW Weah, Llanez or Sabbi, Clark, Alvarez, Ferreira LW Pulisic, Konrad FW Sargent, 1 of Wright, Balogun, Soto, Gioacchini, Akinola, Sanogo, Ebobisse, Hoppe, Pepi, Kelman Gold Cup - (No Olympic Players) GK Hamid, Turner, Horvath RB Yedlin, Reynolds LB Vines, Gasper CB Brooks, Miazga, Long, Zimmerman {Alvarado, Ream} M6 Otasowie, Johnny M8 Musah, Morales/Nagbe/Acosta {Williamson, Bassett, Mihailovic, Pomykal, Amaya, Kayo, Perea, Tessman, Cappis, Busio} AM Lletget, Aaronson RW Mueller, 1 of Sabbi, Clark, Vassilev, Holmes, Boyd, Arriola, Green, or one of the other guys cut from the Olympic squad LW Morris, “ FW 2 x Zardes, Balogun, Sonogo, Pepi, Kelman, Dike, Akinola, Ebobisse, Altidore, Johannsson, Wright, Hoppe, Efford, Novakovich, Soto, Gioacchini
Update... March Friendlies (I’m calling in our fringe YA’s and players we need to see) GK Steffen, Horvath, Odunze/Santos (or maybe Cohen) RB Yedlin, Reynolds CB Miazga, Richards CB McKenzie, Palmer-Brown LB Dest (we need coverage and he needs more LB experience), Bello/Vines MF Otasowie, Johnny MF Musah, Durkin AM Aaronson, Green RW Konrad, Gioacchini LW Weah, Llanez FW Hoppe, Sargent Game 1: Steffen (Horvath) 46, Yedlin, Miazga, McKenzie, Dest (Bello/Vines) 46, Otasowie (Johnny) 60, Musah, Aaronson, Weah (Gioacchini) 60, Konrad (Llanez) 70, Hoppe (Sargent) 70 Game 2: Steffen (Horvath) 46, Reynolds, Richards, Palmer-Brown, Dest, Johnny (Otasowie) 60, Musah, Aaronson (Green) 80, Weah (Gioacchini) 60, Konrad (Llanez) 70, Sargent (Hoppe) 70 League of Nations (I’m calling in our best 23) GK Steffen, Hamid, Marcinkowski RB Yedlin, Cannon CB Miazga, Richards CB Brooks, McKenzie LB Dest, Robinson M6 Adams, Otasowie M8 McKennie, Musah 10 Reyna, Lletget RW Weah, Aaronson LW Pulisic, Morris FW Hoppe, Sargent Olympics GK Steffen (over-age), Marcinkowski, TBD* - (Ochoa?) RB Cannon, Reynolds CB McKenzie, Palmer-Brown CB Richards, TBD* - (Piere? Robinson?) LB Robinson, TBD* - (Bello?) M6 Adams, Yuiell M8 McKennie, TBD* - (Perea?) 10 Reyna, TBD* - (Bassett?) RW Weah, Konrad LW Pulisic, TBD* - (Llanez?) FW Hoppe, TBD* - (Dike?) *LW: Llanez, Ferreira, Cowell, Vassilev, Sabbi, Alvarez, Clark, Michel, Lewis, Mighten *AM: Bassett, Busio, Mihailovic, Ferreira, Clark, Alvarez *MF: Williamson, Sands, Durkin, Kayo, Amaya, Perea, Tessman, Dotson, Pomykal, Cappis *CB: Carter-Vickers, Robinson, Pineda, Kessler, Glad, Keita, Sandler, Piere, Pines, Okoh *LB: Vines, Bello, Gloster, Farfan, Flach, Kobe *FW: Soto, Gioacchini, Dike, Akinola, Wright, Pepi, Ebobisse, Sanogo, Balogun *GK: Ochoa, Santos, Odunze, Scott Gold Cup GK TBD* - (Hamid? Horvath? Turner?) RB Yedlin, TBD* - (Araujo^?) CB Miazga, TBD* - (Long?) CB Brooks, TBD* - (Zimmerman?) LB Dest^, TBD* - (Vines^?) M6 Otasowie^, Johnny ^ M8 Musah^, TBD* - Acosta 10 Lletget, Aaronson^ RW Mueller, TBD* - Gioacchini^? LW Morris, TBD* - Balogun^? FW Sargent^, TBD* - Soto^? *FW: Soto (u23), Gioacchini (u23), Akinola (u23), Dike (u23), Wright (u23), Pepi (u23), Ebobisse (u23), Sanogo (u23), Balogun (u23), Altidore, Zardes, Johannsson, Novakovich Siebatcheu *R/LW: Gioacchini (u23), Llanez (u23), Ferreira (u23), Cowell (u23), Vassilev (u23), Sabbi (u23), Alvarez (u23), Clark (u23), Michel (u23), Lewis (u23), Mighten (u23), Boyd, Holmes, Green, Arriola, Efford - (or, an extra CF). *M8: Acosta, Roldan, Morales, Nagbe, Williamson (u23), Sands (u23), Pomykal (u23), Durkin (u23) Kayo (u23), Amaya (u23), Perea (u23), Tessman (u23), Dotson (u23), Cappis (u23) *RB - Araujo, Scally, Duncan, Herrera *CB: Long, Zimmerman, Ream, Alvarado *LB: Vines (u23), Bello (u23), Gloster (u23), Flach (u23), Kobe (u23), Farfan (u23), Gasper *GK: Hamid, Johnson, Turner, Guzan, Horvath
March Olympic Qualifying Pool Confidence Rating: ***** = elite level **** = high confidence *** = high-medium confidence ** = low-medium confidence * = low confidence ? = not rated Note: Ratings are based on a u-23 WCQ level. GOALKEEPERS 1. JT Marcinkowski, SJ Earthquakes *** 2. David Ochoa, RSL ** 3. Brady Scott, Austin FC * - 4. Matt Freese, Philadelphia Union * - Trey Muse, Seattle Sounders ? - Chris Brady, Chicago Fire ? - John Pulskamp, Sporting Kansas City ? - Jonathan Klinsmann, LA Galaxy ? - Justin Von Steeg, LA Galaxy ? - Kevin Silva, Toronto FC ? - Luca Lewis, NY Red Bulls? European options worth considering: -Chituri Odunze, Leicester City * -Carlos Santos, Benfica * -Aaron Cervantes, Rangers ? -Damian Las, Fulham ? -Alex Borto, Fulham ? RIGHT BACKS 1. Julian Araujo, LA Galaxy, (decent chance he moves in the window) **** 2. Kyle Duncan, NY Red Bulls, (small chance he moves in the window) **** - 3. Aaron Herrera, RSL *** 4. Jaylin Lindsey, Sporting KC ** 5. Dylan Nealis, Inter Miami * 6. DeJuan Jones, NE Revolution * - Nathan Harriel, Philadelphia Union ? - Jacob Akanyirige, SJ Earthquake ? - Mauricio Cuevas, LA Galaxy ? European options worth considering: - Joseph Scally, Borussia Moenchengladbach *** LEFT BACKS 1. George Bello, Atlanta United (small chance he moves in the window.) **** 2. Sam Vines, Colorado Rapids **** - 3. Chris Gloster, unattached (unknown where he signs in the window) *** 4. Marco Farfan, Portland Timbers ** 5. John Nelson, FC Dallas * 6. Matt Real, Philadelphia Union * 7. Jonathan Gomez, Louisville City FC * European options worth considering: -Kobe Hernandez-Foster, Wolfsburg *** -Travian Sousa, unattached ** CENTER BACKS 1. Miles Robinson, Atlanta United **** 2. Henry Kessler, NE Revolution *** 3. Justen Glad, RSL *** 4. Mauricio Pineda, Chicago Fire *** - 5. Donovan Pines, DC United *** 6. Aboubacar Keita, Columbus Crew * - Auston Trusty, Colorado Rapids ? - George Campbell, Atlanta United ? - Justin Che, FC Dallas ? - Casey Walls, SJ Earthquakes ? - Tayvon Gray, NYCFC ? European options worth considering: -Michael Edwards, Wolfsburg (may move to MLS) ** -Mason Judge, Eintracht Frankfurt ** -Lennard Maloney, Dortmund ** MIDFIELDERS 1. Jackson Yuiell, SJ Earthquakes **** 2. Andres Perea, Orlando City SC **** 3. Eryk Williamson, Portland Timbers *** 4. Tanner Tessman, FC Dallas *** (small chance he moves in the window) - 5. James Sands, NYCFC (injured) *** 6. Paxton Pomykal, FC Dallas (injured) *** 8. Frankie Amaya, FC Cincinnati (illness) *** 7. Hassani Dotson, Minnesota United ** 8. Keaton Parks, NYCFC ** 9. Aiden Morris, Columbus Crew ** - Moses Nyeman, DC United * - Danny Leyva, Seattle Sounders * - Sebastian Berhalter, Columbus Crew ? - Edwin Cerrillo, FC Dallas ? European options worth considering: -Bryang Kayo, Wolfsburg *** -Christian Cappis, Hobro *** -Taylor Booth, Bayern Munich * Dual-national options worth considering: -Brandon Servania, FC Dallas {Puerto Rico} ** PLAYMAKERS 1. Cole Bassett, Colorado Rapids **** (small chance he moves in the window) 2. Gianluca Busio, Sporting KC *** (small chance he moves in the window). - 3. Djordje Mihailovic, Montreal Impact *** 4. Anthony Fontana, Philadelphia Union ** - Paxten Aaronson, Philadelphia Union * - Omir Fernandez, NY Red Bulls - Jose Gallegos, San Antonio FC European options worth considering: -Alan Sonora, Club Independiente *** -Alex Mendez, Ajax *** -Malik Tillman, Bayern Munich *** -Matko Miljevic, Argentinos ** -Evan Rotundo, Schalke ? WINGERS1. Jesus Ferreira, FC Dallas *** (more of a playmaker/forward) 2. Caden Clark, NY Red Bulls *** 3. Benji Michel, Orlando City SC ** 4. Jonathan Lewis, Colorado Rapids ** - 5. Brooks Lennon, Atlanta United (RB as primary position) ** 6. Cade Cowell, SJ Earthquakes * 7. Kevin Paredes, DC United * - Nick Taitague, unattached (may move within Europe) ? - Marlon Vargas, Seattle Sounders ? - Griffin Yow, DC United ? - Thomas Roberts, FC Dallas ? - Tyler Wolff, Atlanta United ? - Ethan Dobbelaere, Seattle Sounders ? - Kai Koreniuk, LA Galaxy ? - Griffin Dorsey, Toronto FC ? - Tate Schmitt, RSL ? European options worth considering: -Konrad de la Fuente, FC Barcelona **** -Uly Llanez, Heerenveen, on loan from Wolfsburg **** -Indiana Vassiliev, Burton Albion, on loan from Aston Villa ** -Tim Tillman, Gruether Firth ** -Cameron Harper, Celtic * -Jonathan Amon, FC Nordjaelland * (Injured) -Samuel Shashoua, Tenerife Dual-nationals worth considering: -Efrain Alvarez, LA Galaxy {Mexico} *** FORWARDS1. Daryl Dike, Orlando City SC **** (small chance he moves in the window) 2. Jeremy Ebobisse, Portland Timbers *** - 3. Ricardo Pepi, FC Dallas *** (small chance he moves in the window) 4. Mason Toye, Montreal Impact ** 5. Robbie Robinson, Inter Miami ** 6. Brandon Vasquez, FC Cincinnati ** 7. Ethan Zubak, LA Galaxy * - Alfonso Ocampo-Chavez, Seattle Sounders ? - Dante Sealy, FC Dallas ? - Jackson Conway, Atlanta United ? - Jack DeVries, Philadelphia Union ? - Justin Rennicks, NE Revolution ? European options worth considering: -Sebastian Soto, Telstar, on loan from Norwich City **** -Niko Gioacchini, Caen **** -Haji Wright, Sonderjyske **** -Folarin Balogun, Red Bull Leipzig **** -Malick Sanogo, Union Berlin **** -Charlie Kelman, QPR *** -Patrick Koffi, Paris FC ** -Johan Gomez, Porto ** -Maurice Malone, FC Augsburg ** -Jalen Hawkins, FC Ingolstadt * -Justin Butler, FC Ingolstadt * -Joe Gallardo, Queretaro Dual-national options worth considering: -Ayo Akinola, Toronto FC {Canada} (may move in the window) **** -Nils Froling, Kalmar FF {Sweden} ** -Christian Torres, Los Angeles FC * Projected 23 for Olympic Qualifying GK Marcinkowski, Ochoa, Scott RB Araujo, Duncan CB Robinson, Glad CB Kessler, Pineda LB Bello, Vines MF Yuiell (CPT), Tessman MF Perea, Williamson AM Bassett, Busio RW Clark, Michel LW Ferreira, Lewis FW Dike, Ebobisse
For the March 2021 camp, I would try to call in a larger camp, and I would try to prioritize fringe players and rest starting players - with a few exceptions. In a sense, this would be my last experimental camp. Come June, for the LoN, we need to see our best team. GOALKEEPERSZack Steffen, Manchester City Ethan Horvath, Club Brugge Josh Cohen, Maccabi Haifa Note: Steffen is called in to maintain game sharpness. Horvath needs some PT for confidence, and Cohen is called in because he’s the only starting American goalkeeper in Europe. RIGHT BACKSDeAndre Yedlin, Newcastle United Reggie Cannon, Boavista Note: I want Dest on the left to try out different right backs. I would have liked to see Bryan Reynolds - but I don’t mind letting him settle in... same with Scally. LEFT BACKSSergino Dest, FC Barcelona - ***Kik Pierie, FC Twente (might decline) - ***Leon Flach, St. Pauli (might cut) ***Kobe Hernandez-Foster, Wolfsburg (might cut) Note: I want to rest Robinson, and let Dest get some reps at left back in case we have to play him there. Note: I would call in Kik Pierie. Although I don’t believe he’ll accept. Howecer, if he accepts, I might drop Flach or Kobe as surplus and play Pierie at left back. And yes, I know, he’s a center back. CENTER BACKSMatt Miazga, Anderlecht Mark McKenzie, Genk Chris Richards, Bayern Munich Erik Palmer-Brown, Austria-Wien Cameron Carter-Vickers, Bournemouth Note: I’m choosing to rest John Brooks for this camp. 1 - he might need the rest, 2 - I don’t like building our backline on an injury prone player, and 3 - We need to see what our younger defenders can do. MIDFIELDERSOwen Otasowie, Wolverhampton Johnny Cardoso, Internacional Chris Durkin, Sint Truden Alfredo Morales, Fortuna Dusseldorf - ***Yunus Musah, Valencia (might decline) Note: I’m choosing to omit McKennie and Adams - we know they’re going to be starters; and they might benefit from the rest. Note: Hopefully, we’ll see Musah in camp. We really need him on this team. Note: We definitely need Johnny and Owen in camp. We need to test how ready they are for this level. Durkin and Morales are outsiders, but this is the best time to take a look at them to see if they can contribute or not. PLAYMAKERS/WINGERSBrenden Aaronson, RB Salzburg Julian Green, Gruether Firth Duane Holmes, Derby County Tyler Boyd, Besiktas Niko Gioacchini, Caen - ***Joe Efford, Waasland-Beveren (might cut) ***Alan Sonora, Independiente (might cut) ***Joel Sonora, Talleres (might cut) ***Alex Mendez, Ajax (might cut) Note: I am resting Gio Reyna. He certainly can use a break. And I want to see Aaronson anyways in his role. Also, I am resting Pulisic - even though I don’t like that he misses so many camps. I’d say to Christian, enjoy this break because I’m going to be calling on you every chance I get for the next two years. Note: Normally, I split the wingers from the playmakers, but our Olympic pool wingers are so thin, if we can secure Konrad’s or Llanez’s release, they need to be with the Olympic team. Thus, some of these wingers are going to be playing out of position at wing for camp. Note: I’m interested in calling in the Sonora brothers - I’m not sold that Joel will ever be a USMNT player; and I might axe him, but it seems right to call in both. That said, I could cut Joel. I could even cut Alan. And while I’m at it, I might could cut Alex Mendez or Joe Efford too. Note: I believe Julian deserves a look. Also, this is as good of time as any to bring Holmes and Boyd back into camp. FORWARDSMatthew Hoppe, Schalke Andrija Novakovich, Frosinone Haji Wright, Sonderjyske - ***Jordan Siebatcheu, Young Boys (called in to train) ***Folarin Balogun, Arsenal (called in to train) ***Malick Sanogo, Union Berlin (called in to train) - ***Sebastion Soto, Telstar (called in if the duals declined). Note: I really wanted to see Sargent because he missed the last games, but there are so many other forwards that we need to try out. So he gets a rest. Note: I would inquire if Siebatcheu, Balogun, and Sanogo want to train with the team. They don’t have to switch yet. But have a look around. Note: Soto might be surplus to see what other options we have. I am not ruling him out, but I might want to explore what else do we have and let Soto focus on club. Game 1GK Steffen (Horvath) 46 RB Yedlin CB McKenzie (CCV) 75 CB Miazga LB Dest M6 Owen (Johnny) 60 M8 Musah (Morales) 75 10 Green RW Aaronson LW Gioacchini (Boyd) 60 FW Hoppe (Novakovich) 75 Game 2GK Steffen (Horvath) 46 RB Cannon CB Miazga (EPB) 46 CB Richards LB Dest M6 Johnny (Durkin) 60 M8 Musah (Owen) 60 10 Green RW Aaronson LW Gioacchini (Holmes) 70 FW Hoppe (Wright) 70
I was hearing that Berhalter wanted a separate roster for Gold Cup, LoN, and Olympics. That really will stretch the player pool...