Predicting 2022 WC Roster (Best 23)

Discussion in 'USA Men: News & Analysis' started by keller4president, Jun 9, 2021.

  1. laxcoach

    laxcoach Member+

    United States
    Jul 29, 2017
    intermountain west
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Is this hoping Morris returns to form or ? I wouldn't have him there in pen as of today....even though that 5th winger isn't going to see much PT IMO.
     
  2. TrustingtheProcess

    Philadelphia Union
    United States
    Jun 11, 2021
    Philadelphia, USA
    Hi all. Long time lurker, first time poster. This is the most excited and optimistic I have ever been about US Soccer. I thought Mexico played much closer to their potential than we did and we deservedly won. I feel really good about the future. I was thinking about this exact subject the other day so I wanted to post here, mostly as a time capsule so I can see how wrong I am in 17 months.

    Full disclosure, I'm an idiot, so this will probably be way off. I can't always decipher my own mind, much less Gregg's, so I'm not really going to try to. This is just based off vibes, gut feelings, who I've been impressed with and who I think is next to break out. There is about 15-20 more players that would not surprise me at all if they got a seat on that plane.

    One note. I am assuming we stick with a 433. If Gregg decides he is married to 3 in the back, we probably bring another center back or full back capable of playing in a 3 man back line. Starters are in bold. TTP.


    GK: Horvath, Turner, Steffen,
    FB: Dest, Robinson; Yedlin,
    CB: Brooks, Richards, McKenzie, Philippe Sandler
    CM: Adams, McKennie; Musah, Pomykal, Flatch, Otasowie
    AM: Pulisic, Reyna; Aaronson, De la Fuente, Ledezma
    CF: Hoppe, Sargent
     
  3. xbhaskarx

    xbhaskarx Member+

    San Jose Earthquakes
    United States
    Feb 13, 2010
    NorCal
    Club:
    San Jose Earthquakes
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Welcome, not a bad roster at all, but
    Philippe Sandler​
    Odds he commits to the US, and then performs well enough to deserve one of the four CB spots, in time?
    Otasowie​
    Will he get enough of a chance to even challenge for a spot?
    De la Fuente, Ledezma​
    Either or maybe, but the odds of both these guys passing Tim Weah (and Jordan Morris once he's back) seems low.
     
  4. YNWA Rob

    YNWA Rob Member+

    Liverpool FC
    United States
    Nov 12, 2020
    Indiana
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Not sure many here a year ago would have been pegging Reynolds as a strong candidate to make the team, which makes me wonder if there are some players we aren't really aware of now who could become legit roster candidates in the next 12 months.
     
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  5. Pl@ymaker

    Pl@ymaker Member+

    Feb 8, 2010
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Weah is not a lock. If he doesn't improve his passing, he's gonna be passed up by younger players. Better for him to learn how to play as a striker.
     
  6. dspence2311

    dspence2311 Member+

    Oct 14, 2007
    hasn’t he played some striker already
     
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  7. TrustingtheProcess

    Philadelphia Union
    United States
    Jun 11, 2021
    Philadelphia, USA
    Thanks for the welcome, happy to be here.

    Those were 4 of the 5, along with Flach, I wasn't sure about. I think we are going to have one big dual national surprise and I thought Sandler would make a lot of sense. Both Pep and Kompany have been very high on him in the past and it seemed Anderlecht liked him more than Miazga. I saw two of his games with Anderlecht and I was impressed, thought he was smart and smooth on the ball. If he can get a good loan and stay healthy this year, maybe. He's not exactly a prospect, I don't he breaking through with the Netherlands anytime soon. I wouldn't put it past Gregg to get him.

    I love Ledezma. The way he can turn and drive the ball forward then pick out the right pass is effortless. He was starting to breakthrough at PSV before he got hurt, no reason he can't do it again. One ACL is very different than an achilles or two ACLs. That's a reason I have him making it back and not Long and Morris, who I really like.

    As for the other two I think it depends on their situation, but I think if given chances they have the talent to make it.

    Exciting either way.
     
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  8. Pl@ymaker

    Pl@ymaker Member+

    Feb 8, 2010
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Yes. He's a good finisher but he prefers to play as a winger:confused:
     
  9. Baysider

    Baysider Member+

    Jul 16, 2004
    Santa Monica
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    This is basically where I am except with McKenzie for Ream. Building around a 4-3-3 with the ability to line up as a 4-4-2 or a 5-2-3.

    Splitting the difference means you take 5 CM's and we need one of the starters to be a D-mid so we need to have a backup for Adams (hence Acosta).

    Pulisic, Reyna, Aaronson and Morris gives you two deep on the wide attacking positions and, depending on the player, some ability to start at forward or withdrawn forward or at the 10.

    The two concerns are a backup left back and whether we need traditional (i.e. two way) wide mids if we play a 4-4-2. If we are not happy with Acosta (or one of the others) being a backup as a defensive-oriented left back, then Vines instead of Weah. Otherwise, maybe take Weah as another wide player or third forward (honestly, I don't have a good sense of how flexible in terms of position he is).
     
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  10. rgli13

    rgli13 Member+

    Mar 23, 2005
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    a touch heavy on younger, unproven players, one weirdo inclusion (sandler) and a "contoversial" exclusion (dike, siebatche)...youre going to fit in just fine here :thumbsup:
     
  11. dspence2311

    dspence2311 Member+

    Oct 14, 2007
    I will be disappointed if the GC squad is mostly veteran MLS players who won’t make he WC squad. Why do that? Get all available youngsters an competitive meaningful experience. Sure, 2 or 3 veterans is fine. But that next gen talent is what is important.
     
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  12. Ghost

    Ghost Member+

    Sep 5, 2001
    #62 Ghost, Jun 13, 2021
    Last edited: Jun 13, 2021
    An explanation for some of my final choices:

    Guzan for 3rd keeper
    - The third keeper doesn't play. If he does, it probably involves a confidence breakdown in at least one of the first 2 keepers. So I would be less concerned about the quality difference between the 6th and 9th best MLS keepers than that I have someone who has played big games and isn't going to crap the bed because he's stepping onto a WC field. Off the field, Guzan is way ahead of everyone else. Good locker room guy. Leader. Been to the WC before (one of the few in the pool). Likes to give quotes to the media. Matt Turner, Sean Johnson, Bill Hamid, don't bring that stuff. Which is the most likely way for a 3rd keeper to contribute.

    Ream - I start with the belief that a fifth CB is more valuable than a 4th outside back due to card accumulation. Ream can deliver a minimal level of incompetence at 3 positions on the backline. And I can imagine getting by with him in a game against Saudi Arabia or like team. All that said, I can imagine other options. I can imagine taking Kellyn Acosta as the backup LB/MF and then take, say, Miazga or Miles Robinson as a 5th CB .......

    Lletget and Ledezma - Except I can't imagine Acosta being chosen over Lletget. I guess that Acosta and Lletget could both go, and Ledezma and/or different young attackers would stay home. But it seems likely that at least one of the young attackers is going to be a major contributor to a major team within the next year-plus. And it's hard to imagine both Acosta and Lletget both beating out Ledezma or Konrad or Otasowie or Clark or ...... etc. if they're getting legit minutes at high-level clubs.

    3rd forward - a total tossup. It seems like Sargent is a lock because 18 months out he's the only guy who has proven he can handle a top league. I have Weah as a combo midfielder/3rd striker. His defensive tenacity on the wing, as well as Aaronson's, means we don't need to take an Arriola-style lockdown wing defensive specialist. It seems like Gyasi ought to be there, but his absence lately looks bad for his chances. So whoever hammers in goals over the next 18 months is the third man.
     
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  13. TrueCrew

    TrueCrew Member+

    Dec 22, 2003
    Columbus, OH
    Club:
    Columbus Crew
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Yes. Hoping he is back. I view Morris & Weah as wingers who can also play CF or as a second striker if we go two up top. Stretch the field a bit.

    I had Morris & Long back. Both could be dubious.

    Obviously hope Miazga, McKennzie, or someone passes Ream by next year.
     
  14. TrueCrew

    TrueCrew Member+

    Dec 22, 2003
    Columbus, OH
    Club:
    Columbus Crew
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Well, I don't think he was ever on it. Brooks is a lock at LCB. If healthy, Long is the incumbent RCB. If Long and Richards are not both hurt, McKenzie is not starting that game anyway. I feel the same way about the 23. Though another year could change that.

    Ream appears to be #2 at LCB. As Berhalter likes designated RCB/LCB players, the job is his to loose. Have any of our CBs played both sides under Berhalter?
     
  15. TrueCrew

    TrueCrew Member+

    Dec 22, 2003
    Columbus, OH
    Club:
    Columbus Crew
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Zardes has a shoulder injury from April. I would not read too much into it, yet. But it isn't like Sargent, Dike, or Pefonk claimed the spot.

    Heck, a healthy Altidore who is not a jerk would be my choice. If such a creature exists.
     
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  16. TrueCrew

    TrueCrew Member+

    Dec 22, 2003
    Columbus, OH
    Club:
    Columbus Crew
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Good post.

    If we are looking for traditional wide mids, as opposed to wing forwards, I think we have options.

    #1 Push a FB up. I view Dest, Robinson, and Yedlin more as WBs anyway. Offense may suffer with any but Dest.

    #2 Use a guy Berhalter uses as a WF. I was really impressed with Reyna's defensive effort vs Mexico. I think he could pull it off. Aaronson played some 8 for Philly. I think he is sufficiently industrious. So are Weah & Morris. Passing skills may be a bit iffy though.

    #3. Use one of the CMs. Musah plays RM for Valencia. I've seen McKennie there for Juve. I don't want Adams there but he likely could do it.
     
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  17. Marko72

    Marko72 Member+

    Aug 30, 2005
    New York
    I believe that after the Gold Cup, the number of flyers being taken on speculative picks are going to go way down. We'll see a couple of new guys tried out next year after qualification is wrapped up (assuming that we qualify, and I'm going to hazard that assumption while knocking wood), but that assumption is baked into my thinking as of mid-June, post-Nations League and pre-Gold Cup roster announcement.

    With that said, this is my best guess as to what we'll roll with in a year-and-a-half in Doha...

    The projected 23:
    Steffen, Horvath, Turner
    Brooks, Richards, McKenzie, M. Robinson, Dest, Cannon, A. Robinson
    McKennie, Adams, Musah, Lletget, De La Torre, Acosta
    Pulisic, Reyna, Sargent, Aaronson, Pefok, Dike, Weah

    Guys who I believe will have a real chance to crack this list for one reason or another (improvement, form, injuries, etc.), and will probably be used more-or-less in the GC, qualifiers, and friendlies leading up to the final cut-down:

    GK: Johnson, Hamid, Ochoa
    CBs: Miazga, Ream, Long, Carter-Vickers, Palmer-Brown
    FBs: Reynolds, Yedlin, Vines, Bello
    CM/DMs: Yueill, Busio, Flach, Otasawie, Williamson, Clark, Sands, Cardoso, Perea
    Fwds: Morris, Hoppe, Zardes, Ledezma, Gioacchini, Cowell, Arriola
     
  18. papermache16

    papermache16 Member+

    Jan 30, 2009
    Club:
    Liverpool FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Wow, that's a pretty good guess.

    I'm going to bank on there sadly being some injuries, so from your list of alternates, I would go with

    GK: Ochoa
    CB: Miazga
    FB: Yedlin
    CM/DM: Clark
    Fwd: Cowell
     
  19. sXeWesley

    sXeWesley Member+

    Jun 18, 2007
    Club:
    Portland Timbers
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    This is basically where I am except Flach for Acosta. Flach gives you a much closer approximation to Adams at the 6 and can be that backup LB, handling those concerns in the final paragraph, also he is a much better player defensively all day every day, which is what we need in both of those roles. This would also allow for Weah, who I 100% want to be on this roster as the chasing a goal, make shit happen sub.
     
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  20. sXeWesley

    sXeWesley Member+

    Jun 18, 2007
    Club:
    Portland Timbers
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I want to roast you so hard for this ludicrous pick, but then I couldn't stop laughing about the apt description minimum level of incompetence. Well played.
     
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  21. laxcoach

    laxcoach Member+

    United States
    Jul 29, 2017
    intermountain west
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Flach vs Acosta I agree but does Berhalter? He likes 'comfort blankets' on the roster and it's Acosta, Lletget, Ream for him. Those 3 make him at ease it seems.

    We have so much youth that I'm almost OK with that though. More pups on a lineup led by pups and dominated talent wise by pups isn't necessary this cycle.
     
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  22. Marko72

    Marko72 Member+

    Aug 30, 2005
    New York
    I knew I'd forget someone. Green belongs on the 'outsiders with a shot at it' list.
     
  23. Eleven Bravo

    Eleven Bravo Member+

    Atlanta United
    United States
    Jul 3, 2004
    SC
    Club:
    Atlanta Silverbacks
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    GK
    1. Steffen, 2. Horvath (needs to find a club), 3. Turner

    RB
    1. Dest, 2. Reynolds (hoping for a big year)

    CB
    1. Brooks, 2. Richards, 3. Carter-Vickers (hoping he transfers to Newcastle and starts), 4. Miazga

    LB.
    1. Gomez (hoping for a ‘Reyna’ like breakout), 2. A. Robinson (hoping he stays in the top tier somewhere)

    MF
    1. McKennie, 2. Adams, 3. Musah, 4. Johnny (hoping for a breakout)

    AM
    1. Reyna, 2. Ledezma (hoping for a solid return)

    RW
    1. Weah, 2. Aaronson

    LW
    1. Pulisic, 2. Konrad (hoping for a breakout year)

    FW
    1. Balogun (hoping for a breakout year), 2. Dike (hoping for a big transfer and development)

    ...This projection is all about hoping for breakout years for Balogun, Johnny, Konrad, Reynolds, Gomez, and big return for Ledezma. Soccer is a funny thing. So we’ll see.
     
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  24. TrustingtheProcess

    Philadelphia Union
    United States
    Jun 11, 2021
    Philadelphia, USA
    Like this team a lot. Don't necessarily agree with a couple, but it's definitely feasible this is the top 23 a year and a half from now. There probably is about only 8-10 "locks" right now, and maybe another 5 or 6 that have an inside track. That is a lot of open spots. Exciting to see how the it shakes out.

    I actually have never seen Gomez play, only highlights, so I'll have to look out for a Louisville game coming up.
     
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  25. frankburgers

    frankburgers Member+

    May 31, 2016
    0.1% chance Gomez goes to the World Cup. That would be the most incredible story of the next 16 months.

    ledezma has a lot to prove even after he gets healthy.

    I like Reynolds but that’s assuming he plays for Jose

    cardoso isn’t as good as Busio or sands.

    balogun would be pretty awesome to see. But even he has to produce in first team football.

    Konrad would have to ball out at OM.

    Caden Clark has a better shot than some listed there. It is going to be awesome watching guys 14-23 battle it out for spots. We will have guys who are playing at big clubs not get called in.
     
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