After World Cup qualifying, here’s a group that I would like to see called in as a sort of, this is your last chance to impress camp. GK Johnson, Slonina RB Scally, Cannon, Reynolds CB Brooks, Miazga, Kessler CB Palmer-Brown, CCV, Long LB Vines, Gomez, Jones, Paredes DM Sands, Johnny, Tessman MF De la Torre, Busio, Bassett MF Reyna, Ledezma RW Sargent, Gioacchini LW Konrad, Hoppe FW Dike, Pefok Rested/Not urgent to see more of: Pulisic, Weah, Aaronson, Pepi, Zardes, Ferreira, Lletget, Roldan, McKennie, Adams, Arriola, Morris, Bello, A. Robinson, M. Robinson, Lennon, Ream, Zimmerman, Trusty, McKenzie, Yedlin, Dest, Moore, Turner, Steffen Watchlist: Clark, Cowell, Williamson, Mendez, Cappis, Booth, Sonora, M. Tillman, T. Tillman, Shashoua, Mighten, Mihailovic, Herrera, Glad, Duncan, Horvath ...But at the same time, I don’t think there’s enough time. Once WCQ is over, we only have 2 windows before the World Cup. It’ll be about getting down to business by that time. And it’s a shame that there’s a lot of options on the table that we’ll never likely get a chance to look at in time.
Guys on the fringe.... Missed because of injury/illness: Gianluca Busio, Gio Reyna, Williamson Goalkeeper: Matt Turner, Zack Steffen, Sean Johnson, Gabriel Slonina N/A Outsiders: Bill Hamid, Brad Guzan, Ethan Horvath, John Pulskamp Right Backs: DeAndre Yedlin, Reggie Cannon, Brooks Lennon Joe Scally* (also LWB) Bryan Reynolds Aaron Herrera Kyle Duncan Shaq Moore Outsiders: Tim Chandler Left Backs: Sergino Dest, Antonee Robinson Joe Scally* (also RWB) Sam Vines George Bello Kevin Paredes DeJuan Jones Jonathan Gomez Outsiders: John Tolkin Center Backs: Miles Robinson, Walker Zimmerman, Chris Richards, Mark McKenzie John Brooks James Sands* (also CDM) Cameron Carter-Vickers Matt Miazga Erik Palmer-Brown Tim Ream Aaron Long Henry Kessler Outsiders: Auston Trusty, Lennard Maloney, Justin Che, Jonathan Tomkinson, Justen Glad, Kobi Henry, Donovan Pines, Tayvon Gray Center Defensive Mids: Tyler Adams, Kelyn Acosta James Sands (also CB) Johnny Cardoso Tanner Tessman Jackson Yuiell Outsiders: Jack McGlynn, Leon Flach, Josh Atencio, Chris Durkin, Fred Morales, Matt Polster, Russell Canouse, Christian Cappis Center Attacking Midfielders: Weston McKennie, Yunus Musah, Luca de la Torre, Cristian Roldan, Sebastian Lletget Cole Bassett Richie Ledezma Caden Clark Djordje Mihailovic Outsiders: Julian Green, Alex Mendez, Tim Tillman, Malick Tillman, Paxton Pomykal, Taylor Booth, Alan Sonora, Paxten Aaronson Wingers: Christian Pulisic, Tim Weah, Brenden Aaronson, Jordan Morris, Paul Arriola Konrad de la Fuente Josh Sargent Matthew Hoppe Niko Gioacchini Cade Cowell Samuel Shashoua Outsiders: Alex Mighten, Jonathan Lewis, Chris Mueller, Emmanuel Sabbi, Dante Sealy, Quinn Sullivan, Diego Luna, Tyler Boyd, Duane Holmes, Fafa Picault Forwards: Ricardo Pepi, Gyasi Zardes, Jesus Ferreira Daryl Dike Jordan Pefok Outsiders: Brian White, Haji Wright, Malick Sanogo, Folarin Balogun, Fede Oliva, Miguel Berry, Rubio Rubin, Bobby Wood, Andrija Novakovich, Sebastian Soto, Benji Kikanovic, Mason Toye, Santiago Munoz, Jozy Altidore, Brandon Vasquez
I wholeheartedly believe that Scally is better than Yedlin, Cannon, and Lennon. He should be our #2 on the RB depth chart behind Dest, but Berhalter has him #5 at best. I also believe that Scally could easily be - right now - our #2 LB behind Antonee Robinson. I honestly believe Scally has the talent to overtake Jedi as the starting LB this year - if Berhalter stops playing favorites with guys like Yedlin, Cannon, Lennon. And if he stops considering Dest (and Cannon) the backup LB, as Berhalter is recklessly and senselessly doing this window. Scally's ability to play both RB and LB should have made him a no-brainer to call in for this window. But for Berhalter... nope. This is bad coaching and poor roster selection. I hope Scally stays healthy and keeps doing what he's been doing so he can get called in for the next window.
I’ll add that Joe Scally’s ability to double as both left and right back, and Sergino Dest’s ability to double as both left and right back, plus Acosta’s ability to cover in an emergency for both left and right back, endows us with the ability to bring in a specialist at another position, if we were inclined to do so. To me, not including Joe Scally was sinful. He’s an automatic lock in my eyes. And it’s a damn shame how Berhalter has neglected to integrate such a critical player into our team.
I completely agree. I've been livid the last couple times Berhalter omitted Scally, and also when he gave him no minutes in the last window. I'm not surprised at this point because I think Berhalter is incompetent, and thinks he's smarter than everyone (a horrible combination), but it's infuriating nevertheless. It's so exciting to have an 18-year old bossing in the BUNDESLIGA, and playing both RB and LB at that! And our USMNT head coach doesn't even call him in, favoring inferior players instead. It's terrible.
If Berhalter had a lick of sense, this would be his cohort through the World Cup. (a = alternate, e = emergency) GK Turner, Steffen, Johnson, A- Slonina, E-Guzan RB Dest, Yedlin, A-Cannon, E-Reynolds CB Miles, Richards, A-CCV, E-Kessler CB Zimmerman, Brooks, A-McKenzie, E-Miazga LB A. Robinson, Scally, A-Vines, E-Bello DM Adams, Acosta, A-Sands, E-Tessman MF McKennie, Musah, A-De la Torre, E-Roldan MF Reyna, Busio, A-Lletget, E-Bassett RW Pulisic, Aaronson, A-Sargent, E-Hoppe LW Weah, Morris, A-Arriola, E-Konrad FW Pepi, Dike, A-Pefok, E-Ferreira Everyone else needs to just think about 2026. It’s time to get this team to finally gel.
agreed. and without explanation at all by GGG, other than saying guys like Cannon and Yedlin could backup at LB. so he'd rather have guys- who aren't exactly at the top of their games in their preferred positions and who as far as I know haven't played LB, instead of a dynamic kid who is playing on both sides of the field every game in the bundesliga. US coaches in the past would kill for that kind of flexibility from one guy, and as you say- allow a specialist like a Dike or Konrad who are going to give you one thing to maybe help open up a defense. it makes zero sense to me. especially including Lennon as well... wth? out of season and not a LB. such as puzzling/annoying decision. Scally and LDLT are my consistent head-scratchers.
Why must we resign ourselves to mediocrity? Why not this World Cup. I am tired of us settling. I am so tired of win at home and tie on the road in CONCACAF. We should expect more. We have settled for GGG and we played great but did not get the result. We out possessed them. I am reminded of a story I heard recently I think Eric Wynalda told on a podcast. He told the story of a coach who was being harried about not looking good in a win, not possessing the ball. He said the coach went out to the a bar and met a beautiful woman and and he sat and talked to her for hours. Another guy comes into the bar and sits down at the table and also begins talking to her. The coach stands up for a minute to get more drinks and the girl and the guy disappear into a bathroom where they make love. The guy then leaves with her. The coach says to the reporter I spent more time with her. In the words of Rocky Ray Hudson, "Possession without penetration is just masterbation". Offense is sorely lacking on this team and GGG has already lost a job for it.
The roster is always going to have those guys who have been around a long time (Acosta). The same guys who have enough bite, tenacity, and toughness to get us through concacaf qualifying. I remember in 2014 I was hoping that Klinnsman would get rid of Beasley and Beckerman. I thought they were just Concacaf guys and did not have the skill level to compete in the World Cup. I was wrong. I am not sure what opinions I have here. Am I watching a relative young team earning their stripes. There was really no concacafy guys starting for us right now. Zardes maybe and even Acosta but they are not playing as if they are holding down a spot. Everyone else is who I would assume we want starting vs France in a WC QF with a more careful selection of the 9. What I think is Berhalter has handed the keys over to the young guys. He has decided to let them deal with the trials and tribulations of the qualifying cycle. No help from the been there and done that guys who are sort of getting phased out. 9 is an issue but it’s only an issue until the top two selections get back into full fitness. CB is also an issue and I hope Brooks can get back into the rotation to pair with Richards. other than the young team must find a groove a style. Berhalter might be a fine tactitioner but he can’t account for that extra something that needs to be created by the players.
He just got crushed by Herdman both on tactics and on inspiration. I feel the Perez outcoached him too. Putting these games in equalizing conditions when we have superior players, just to avoid raucous road fans, seems really stupid too.
I agree with you 100%. But does this team possess the will and the character to win? I believe we’re talented. I don’t believe we’re organized, confident, or intentional with what we’re trying to do. We keep shooting ourselves in the foot. And because we’re okay with poor results, we have low expectations for ourselves.
Gregg seems like a nice guy. I think that’s (1) the reason why he’s been able to recruit so well, and (2) why there doesn’t seem to be a lot of complaints about him. And sure, it’s good to be a nice guy and all. And I’m sure that Gregg wants to try hard and believes he has a lot of great ideas. But Gregg sucks at keeping it simple and getting his team ready for the big game.
other than those two cup finals over the summer. but I agree- whatever he's doing to handle the motivational side doesn't seem to be working lately, and these young players look like they're playing without the confidence to make something happen.
The window for opportunity is rapidly closing on players knocking on the door. There are only THREE windows left. And we still need our first team to get as many reps as they can get. So a lot of potentials, such as Kyle Duncan or Richy Ledezma, are probably just out of luck at this point. Guys who were not in this camp, and not named Gio Reyna who obviously would be included, who have a realistic chance to make the final 23. 1. John Brooks - How is he on the outside? We need a fourth center back with Robinson, Zimmerman, and Richards booking their spot. And it should be a lock that Brooks is that man. 2. Joe Scally - Why was he not included? He can play left and right back. And he’s arguably the best teenage fullback, maybe in the world, right now. He’s, at least, in the discussion. 3. Josh Sargent, Daryl Dike, Matthew Hoppe, and Jordan Pefok - Prove that you can score, and you’ll get a shot. We need a reliable goal scorer and and anyone who gets a hot streak of form will move into contention. It’s that simple. 4. Gianluca Busio (maybe Tanner Tessman?) - It’s a shame that he got sick, but that caused him to slip on the pecking order. He needs to get back at Venezia and prove that he has the physicality to play at the top level. Meanwhile, in his absence, Tessman is proving to be a legit player in the Serie-A. And even though Acosta now has a death grip on the back up 6, we need competition. Yet, there’s still a possibility to get one of the last back up advanced midfielder spots too. 5. Konrad de la Fuente (maybe Niko Gioacchini?) - The door may have closed on Konrad already, but that’s a bit of a weird situation that a starter for Olympique Marseille at 20 years old isn’t more of a contender. On the other hand, Gioacchini was impressive enough at the Gold Cup that if he gets a rich vein of form then he could still sneak in. But that window is probably already closed. 6. Cole Bassett (more so than the other advanced midfielders - Booth, Williamson, Ledezma, Mihailovic, etc.) - Luca de la Torre may he just shut the door behind him and many of the other contenders, but if Bassett is a hit at Feyenoord, he could sneak in too. But it’s a long shot. 7. Kyle Duncan, Bryan Reynolds, George Bello, Sam Vines, Kevin Paredes, Jonathan Gomez, DeJuan Jones, and any other fullback - Even if Scally finally locks down a spot, one of these other guys could push our Yedlin, Cannon, and Lennon if they show well enough. But the door is closing fast. Yet, let me mention that the left backs (Bello, Vines, Jones, Gomez, Paredes) have a better shot than the right backs (Duncan, Herrera, Reynolds). 8. Cameron Carter Vickers.... then Aaron Long, Henry Kessler, Matt Miazga, Auston Trusty, Justin Che, Erik Palmer-Brown, and Tim Ream. If there’s one new defender who I believe should get a shot, it’s Carter-Vickers who has consistently been the best defender in the SPL. But Berhalter is slow to rate him. And if Brooks is out, then, there’s still competition for that last center back spot. This one could go down to the wire. But experience (Ream, Long) will likely outweigh talent and potential (EPB, Che, Kessler, Trusty, Miazga, etc) soon enough if there’s not big movement soon enough. 9. James Sands.... then the other potential defensive mids (Tessman, Yuiell, Cardoso, etc). Sands is losing ground faster than he can blink as he has not been able to lock down his starting job at Rangers nor has he proven to be extremely reliable for the USMNT. He might be one to watch for 2026, but his window is closing in on him. And other than Tessman, I don’t know if anyone else can do enough to compete with Acosta for that last defensive mid spot. 10. Gabriel Slonina - Slonina was included on this past roster, but I wanted to finish this list with a brief discussion about him. I think he’s locked down the #4 spot and will be an alternate to go to the World Cup. I don’t know who can knock him out at this point.
I'm wondering if we aren't all underestimating Alex Mendez. He's a regular starter now in Portugal and brings some things to the table in that #8 spot that others don't. I don't watch the Portuguese league but it seems to be considered a pretty decent league by those in the know.
This can’t be serious. The screaming whines of the masses of anti-Berhalter folks has been droning for a long time.
Mendez has a thunderbolt left foot that is accurate from distance. That would have some utility against bunkered opponents.
Oh what a difference one game makes. If we were to by chance tie or even lose last night most people would have wanted GGG out.
I think there's a couple things we don't know now that highly affects this: Injuries. Easy to move up the depth chart if people get hurt Will we, either because of the WC Competition and Format, or because we've developed far enough, have alternate styles of play? Since the October window, we've committed to essentially a single style of play and basic gameplan for every single game, with minor alterations for opponent. I suspect that's because we haven't yet really gotten it. If we "get" it, or if we want more diverse options because of the level of comp or the unknown knockout opponents... we may actually look at a big striker or a CB who can't press. For now, those people are out. Are they for Qatar? Versatility will matter more with a set roster than it does now. With that said, some thoughts: Strikers who can press and play a little in the build up HAVE to be #1 on this list. Because if someone like Sargent gets in form, he's in. Berhalter has said form is important here, and his choices say you've got to press. I think Sands is higher than you think. Playing at Rangers will be key, but a CB/DM is a nice asset, especially if we consider a 3 ATB again. I don't think there's a real competitor yet at an actual backup 6 spot if Adams or Acosta go down. Slonina almost seems likely since he's the #1 option for the tradition of bringing a young keeper to the World Cup. He's fringe on the depth chart, but I'd put his chances at over 50%. There's clearly at least one centerback spot open, but I think Long and Eric Palmer-Brown are more likely than some of the folks you've highlighted. Both have the speed to play like we ask our centerbacks to play, and Long clearly has the leg up here since EPB has been in one camp, plays in a 3 back normally, I think, and I have no idea if Troyes or his prior teams pressed. I think players like Brooks, and to some extent Miazga, are larger questions in the press despite other advantages. So you'd need to be planning to switch up gameplans for them or accept those limitations. McKenzie ain't tearing it up, of course, so anything can happen, but it's pretty clear why some of these choices have been made as we watch Miles and Richards run down counter-attackers. There's also the other questions with Brooks. I didn't give a ton of creedence to the attitude discussions until one of his former teammates highlighted how he was vocally unhappy as a backup even at the 2014 World Cup -- and I can see how that would be even worse now. I think the backup 8 roles could have a lot of shifting. De la Torre seems to hold a lead, but that was Honduras at home. Both have advantages, but neither have done anything in a real game to make us think they are unassailable. I still think a Pomykal, Tessman, Williamson, Booth -- players with perhaps a little more physical two way presence, have a real shot. I think Konrad is waaaay further down the list. He's a pretty one dimensional winger at a position that is loaded, and at a position that Berhalter asks a ton of. If he becomes a monster, he'll get a look, but this is sooooo deep and he's a luxury piece.
I don't believe that the two Nations League windows will be exactly come-one, come-all open tryouts, even though they are the only chance we'll have to get a look at some alternate options/cap-tying opportunties. I think they'll function as much for unit cohesiveness (especially among the "first 23" subs) as they do tryouts for the Scally/CCV/Long/Konrad/Slonina-come-latelies.
I think Brooks, Pefok, Sargent, and Konrad need to be on the roster, especially if FIFA makes it more than 23, which I think they will.
Except we didn't............did we? I think psychologists call it "calamity thinking." People obsess over the disaster that could be or could have been...................instead of the real world. In the real world we're the Gold Cup Champions, Nations League Champions, and are 4 points clear of automatic qualification to the World Cup. It's like people are mad at Berhalter for results that COULD have happened. What? But anyway, in terms of player selection..................I really don't see any fringe guys making the March roster. It's not the time for fringe guys. We know the crew.
Someone in another post posed this question. How many windows did we over performed in? He is getting expected results with the talent he has unlike John Herdman or Thomas Christiansen.