These probably wouldn't be long-term residents, but they still might fall under an exception that the rest of the national team wouldn't meet. Here are Germany's rules: https://www.germany.info/us-en/service/covid-19/2321562 There are three types of exceptions listed, based on: 1) Citizenship; 2) Long-term residence; and 3) Essential Functions or Needs. Germany specifically lists the following essential functions/needs: health care professionals, health researchers, and elderly care professionals frontier workers, transport personnel engaged in haulage of goods and other transport staff to the extent necessar diplomats, staff of international organizations, military personnel and humanitarian aid workers in the exercise of their functions passengers in transit seafarers passengers travelling for imperative family reasons persons in need of international protection or for other humanitarian reasons respecting the principle of ‘non-refoulement’ students, under the condition that the studies cannot be carried out from abroad (please see our visa website for further information) skilled workers (please see our visa website for further information) The USMNT would presumably only fit in the "skilled workers" category, so I clicked on the link to see who would qualify under that: https://www.germany.info/us-en/service/covid-19/2365054 Applications from skilled workers from the following categories: - skilled workers with a concrete job offer as defined by the Skilled Immigration Act and as evidenced by the Declaration regarding a contract of employment (Erklärung zum Beschäftigungsverhältnis) - scientists/Researchers - secondments and in-company transfers (ICT) restricted to managers and specialists - Managers - IT experts - employment in particular public interest This also includes C visas for urgent business trips on condition that the applicant can provide sufficient evidence (e.g. verification from their employer) that it is absolutely essential for them to enter Germany even taking the pandemic situation into account. A prerequisite in each case is proof of an obligation to be present in Germany (e.g. employment contract) and prima facie evidence that employment is necessary from an economic perspective and that the work cannot be postponed or carried out from abroad (presentation of verification from the employer/contractor). Economic necessity refers to economic relations and/or Germany’s economy or that of the single market. Relevant documentation must be carried and presented to border control personnel. So someone like Rotundo probably got in because he qualified as a "skilled worker[] with a concrete job offer," which probably would not be applicable to the rest of the USMNT. However, the website also mentions an exception for "urgent business trips" where it is "absolutely essential for them to enter Germany even taking the pandemic situation into account." So the question then becomes whether an international football friendly would satisfy that requirement. It may, but I'm not sure Rotundo's exception answers that question.
Qatar has an open date in November. You could always fly your European players down to The Middle East in November. Maybe look for a 2nd Asian opponent (who has a bye in November) or New Zealand for the other game
If we do have a USA base camp I nominate Kaiserslautern. Not only cause it is like a home away from home but Germany seems to be doing the best job during the pandemic of controlling things. (At least statistically.)
If the German NT is paying the American NT to play, that is exempt. That is essential commerce the way things have been working.
There's also some rumors that the US may pull troops out of Germany so it could be one of those things where good politics and good relations in any way shape or form would provide good optics. USA wants to host a game in KTown? sure we will exempt them from all the rules and allow them to play...
I think you're probably right, but I just haven't seen a precedent for it quite on point yet. All the examples I've seen cited so far would seem to fit under another exception that's not available to most USMNT players. I'd be curious to see how that business travel exception is being interpreted in most countries, because that would probably help clear up a lot of uncertainty for me.
My understanding is Rotundo also has a French passport. Again citizenship, business contract, and residency. on the good news, Mexico did arrange a friendly with the Netherlands. On the bad news side, they did not explain how they would be permitted to enter the EU. So a lot of uncertainty. It is quite possible that they will be granted exceptions and I hope that comes to fruition. That said, from a legal standpoint, the aforementioned business argument does not automatically pass legal muster under the current law. It must meet the exceptions under the law. Every country could interpret that differently. So it is possible, but they have to figure out a way to work it into the exceptions. There isn’t a lot of clarity right now on that. Furthermore, the pandemic itself will be a huge factor. I think the US you should prepare to hold camps and Matches abroad and in the US. That said, I doubt many countries want to travel to the US for a friendly right now and European countries could prevent travel under the ban. Maybe Greg’s Irish passport could help although Ireland is not part of the Schengen zone. Basically, we can’t say anything with certainty and need to have several options available. Frankly it might be a sort of weird all hands on deck where even if we don’t have matches we have training camps in Europe to bring players together with coaches who have the legal ability to get there or who receive permission under the exceptions rule. Shoot, Different sport and country, but right now the Blue Jays can’t even play in their home stadium.
I'd let weah play some club games first before even thinking of him being in the rotation. they can't afford for him to play in a few friendlies and then have him hurt again and go into qualifying unsure of who should be in that spot. He can be in one of the three teams next summer though. Maybe the gold cup team.
I also think they should leave the euro players off both of those windows except for maybe someone like reyna. those guys aren't going to get a summer break at all really. give them those two breaks in the season.
Asia has cancelled all qualifiers the remainder of 2021. So there could be an opportunity there. I've heard rumors of South Korea and Japan in October friendlies.
I am not sure. According to the Colombian Federation Euro Clubs were not obligated to release their players for Friendlies or even a training camp because the September Qualifying dates were postponed to January 2022. Asian teams may also not be allowed to call up their Euro based players based on that.
Yeah, that's an interesting one. With CONCACAF at least playing qualifiers in October and November United States would probably have no problem getting released. That's interesting. A European camp may be a possibility for USMNT.
I wish it wouldn't be totally split squad, and we'd fill in holes w/ special selections from each continent if need be. But under the reported parameters: European roster: Sargent (cf), Weah (lw), Novakovich, Pulisic (rw), Boyd, Reyna (cam), Ledezma, Green, Adams (6), McKennie (8), Holmes, Morales, Dest (rb), Robinson (lb), Yedlin, Ream, Otasowie, Brooks (cb), Miazga, Richards, EPB (cb), Steffen, Horvath Americas roster: Morris (lw), Zardes, Ebobisse (cf), Akinola, Sapong, Mueller, Saucedo, Arriola (lb) Pomykal, (8) Aaronson (rw), Lletget, Roldan, Yueill, Sands (6), Cannon (rb), Lima, Gasper, Hollingshead, Long (cb), M. Robinson, Alvarado, McKenzie (cb), Zimmerman, Turner, Guzan
As a Sounders fan, I would like to see Stefan Frei get a shot. Over the past four seasons, he's probably been the best keeper in MLS, and has tons of big match experience. He's a vocal leader who knows how to manage a defense, and always comes up big in big matches. Yes, he'll be 36 by the time WC2022 rolls around, but it's not at all uncommon for top keepers to play at a high level until their late 30's.
I don't think there is anyone on the roster that would result in me moving pulisic from his best position
Weah, who can shoot better and over a defense on the cut in. You just see him w/ Lille pop up on the right and miss a shot w/ his left he probably would have from hit on his right. A year ago Pulisic's best position was right-wing. This year it could be the same for Chelsea, given their additions prompting a move. We aren't a slave to club needs/circumstances & a prisoner of the moment. It's relative pedantry to quibble about Pulisic playing on the left side. He's not left footed with a killer shot. His goals were primarily on the break, on headers, runs, or from in close & sometimes w/ his left. And if you don't like what you see 20 minutes in the players can switch. There's too much insistence that numerous players play possibly their marginally best position that's perceived that way because it's where they happened to just be playing w/ their clubs.
It is interesting how Pulisic has played both wings for his clubs, but he is so often seen as specifically a left sided player for the US. He played both wings at Dortmund and even the Chelsea website says... "Agile, quick and two-footed, Pulisic is naturally a right winger but is also comfortable playing on the left or behind a striker." That said, I feel like for the US, he gets put on the left because we have fewer options on the left than right. But, I would agree there is no reason to just assume he needs to play on the left if we were to end up with another player who was strongly a left-sided player. I just don't see that we have anyone fitting that description yet. Weah has played more often centrally or to the right when I've seen him. Not that he couldn't play on the left, but it's a bit odd to suddenly think that ideally you want lefties on the right and righties on the left so we better flip everything around.
I think most fans the way the game is played now and most managers for that matter prefer wingers cutting inside rather then just going to the touchline and crossing it in. The crossing and getting to the touchline is now more of a requirement for fullbacks. That said, Pulisic can play on both sides, but his latest explosion with Chelsea all came with him lined up on the left in the team sheet. Eventhough, much of the actions that led to goals he finished off with good instinctual positioning inside the box. He's finished shots off with either foot, made the final pass with either foot going either direction. That said, with Chelsea's latest signings Ziyech and rumored signing Havertz both prefer to play in the center or on the right with both being left footers. People see that and see his present and future on the left. Also when filling out a team sheet with the United States he's the first one picked everytime so he always gets slotted in there.
I recognize it can help in some situation. But, I guess I don't see it as necessary in any way and there are still plenty of right sided right footed players and vice versa around. Like I said, for the US it does make sense to keep him on the left since we have other options on the right and pretty much none of the left, just don't think he's exclusively a left wing or that our left wing has to be right footed.
Also depends a bit on the striker and fullbacks. As well as the opponent, do you want a specific matchup? You also stated depth at the position as well. Is the striker someone that gets in behind, is he someone who links up the play very well or is he a target man. With a target man I can see why a left footed player on the left would make more sense. Does the fullback on that side get forward and whip in crosses or does he stay back in defense. All of these are factors into a decision. Ultimately, you want to get as many of your top players in the positions they feel most comfortable.
He’s found the most success at Chelsea on the left. He likes cutting inside to get his stronger foot facing goal. I think he’s sightly better on the left so we should keep him there, although you’re right he can play on the right as well.
I get where y'all are coming from and for a while he didn't even really have a specific position or function carved out, coming off the bench at Dortmund and at first with Chelsea, but on the other hand... I am not going to speak for everyone else, but I think playing him anywhere other than where he is tearing it up at Chelsea is stupid. Players are always most comfortable doing what they do with their club, since it is 90% of the football they play. He is far and away our best player, best player we have ever had, he is playing lights out for his club, in a certain position, doing certain things. I don't give a crap about any other players, I don't care about the stupid ass Columbus Crew system. This team starts with and is built around Pulisic and getting the best out of him, he plays where he plays for his club and we fit whatever other pieces and tactics we need around getting the best out of him. It's the same thing with Dest at RB, as far as I am concerned, whoever the inferior player is can be the one to play somewhere else.
Pulisic is playing on the left, and like you, I like him better as a Left Inside Forward than a regular winger on the right, though I'm sure he's great at both. Morris generally plays LW for Seattle, but he may be better as a RW. Weah likes to cut in, so he's better as a LW. Boyd is RW for sure. Arriola is a stronger RW for sure, though he's mostly played on the left for the USMNT. Reyna seems pretty interchangeable if you play him on the wing, and frankly just seems to end up everywhere. I'm not sure where I was going on this, but aside from the fact that the people I view as our best three current wingers (assuming Reyna is a CM in this discussion) all are playing on the LW or are better there.
I do agree that if year after year he keeps playing on the left, he will develop more comfort there and that alone will be significant in time.
I agree with your analysis, but the way I look at it is Pulisic is our best attacking player, so get him in his preferred position and let the other guys you listed fight for the RW spot. I also think there’s the option of playing Pulisic as the 10 and Reyna on the wing vs certain opponents, but if Chelsea keeps using him solely as a LW it might be best to just keep there for consistency.