Since this doesn't seem to exist yet. Two matches are against Japan and Saudi Arabia My current prediction for the roster GK: Steffen, Horvath, Turner LB: Jedi, Vines RB: Dest, Yedlin, Scally CB: Zimmerman, Richards, Long, CCV, EPB DM: Adams, Acosta CM: McKennie, Musah, LDLT, Mihailovic WF: Pulisic, Reyna, Weah, Aaronson, Arriola FW: Pepi, Vazquez, Ferreira Others in contention GK: Johnson, Slonina LB: Bello, Jones, Tolkin, Gomez RB: Cannon, Moore, CB: Brooks, McKenzie DM: Sands CM: Tillman, Pomykal, Busio, Roldan, Williamson WF: Paredes, Morris FW: Pefok, Sargent, Wright, Ebobisse
That's as good as any guess this far out. By late August, once European seasons have gotten underway, I might have some more thoughts. Picking Brandon Vazquez is a rather bold move, but not outlandish given the lack of production from literally everyone that has occupied that spot thus far, and I wouldn't say I disagree. Ebobisse also scored today, which draws him level with Ferreira for the top American scorer, just one ahead of Vazquez on the season so far, and two behind Castellanos for the overall league lead. Considering that there have been seasons where there have barely been any Americans among the top 10 scorers in the league, this might be the one silver (at least dull silver) lining to the grey cloud that is our #9 situation.
For whatever reason Berhalter just doesn’t seem to rate Ebobisse and it seems like it’s unlikely he gets a look in September. Pefok may very well get the spot I put Vazquez in, though I just like what I’ve seen from Vazquez this year. If Pepi doesn’t have a decent start the season his spot becomes tenuous as well.
This is the last chance, I think you have to call more guys in. I wouldn't remove anyone from the first list, but from the second list I would add: Morris Brooks Pomykal Wright for sure plus Paredes Sargent Tillman based on how they're playing (still expecting Paredes to play his way onto the roster) Yeah that's a big camp but that's what happens when so many call ups went to guys like Lletget and Zardes and Roldan (who is pretty far down on your CM "contention" list)
The good news is that Euro leagues will have over a month of play before the roster needs to be finalized. But this is pretty much a guys last chance to get called into camp. The only type of player I can see making the final roster that doesn't get called into the September camp would be a player like Brooks. Not saying he won't be called into the September camp at all. Just that a player like him that has been around the team a fair bit historically could make the Qatar roster even if they don't get a September call up. But a guy like Vazquez? Just highly doubtful they could get a final call coming in pretty much cold.
Berhalter has basically said this camp is just to get reps w/in the system and chemistry among each other ahead of the WC. So read his lips, no new call-ups. As it pertains to CF, I think this means he'll bring Pepi, Ferreira, and the best performer in Europe who's already been in camps, i.e. Dike. Other than that he'd utilize transfer options, like Morris, from elsewhere on the field. That would axe Vazquez. I would operate more like Bradley pre '10 WC, staying open to new options until the end. But if Berhalter was going to operate this way, at least he could have cast a wider net last camp, and bring the likes of Vazquez. I really want to see the likes of Pomykal & Paredes. But I wonder if Berhalter would draw a line for experience and system knowledge even above that. Prioritizing system over players internationally is never a good strategy.
I think there’s still room for Vazquez in this camp. Just given the situation at center forward there’s still a chance for him if he continues to play well. I think Paredes wouldn’t be in camp if it was named today, but if he starts the season well he can play himself in. I’d love to see Pomykal, I just don’t think it’s happening for him this cycle. He’ll have to wait for January most likely (assuming we have a January camp).
Just based on past practice I find it doubtful Berhalter goes above 27 guys. As for Roldan, the in contention list wasn’t meant as a ranking and I put him at the end because I was going back and forth about having him on the projected roster or not.
I think we're in the same situation as we were leading into the '10, when Buddle and Gomez snuck in late, regardless of what some apologists may argue. But Berhalter has boxed himself in. His past words are the greatest indicator of his plans. He can change them, but until he does, I'll figure this is the way it's going to be. As far as Pomykal goes, my bet would be against him. I think Berhalter has had an axe to grind with him in the past. If Paredes is a regular for Wolfie, which would be a great accomplishment for an American-bred youth player, breaking down that barrier; then I think he'll be at this camp. Berhalter loved him at January camp & he doesn't appear satisfied at LB.
Theoretically, if the entire squad is healthy, then I think this would be a camp where Berhalter would call in 30 or 31 players, because it's his last chance to see the full group. So I would start with this: Steffen, Turner, Johnson, Horvath Zimmerman, Richards, Long, Carter-Vickers, Palmer-Brown Dest, A. Robinson, Yedlin, Cannon, __________ Adams, McKennie, Musah, Acosta, de la Torre, Roldan, Sands Pulisic, Weah, Aaronson, Reyna, Arriola, Morris Ferreira, Pepi, Wright But there will inevitably be attrition - hopefully due to short-term injury only - and I think that's the factor that will keep the squad at the 26-29 range.
The consistency of both Berhalter’s actions and words to this point is a strong predictor that this camp will be <28. I’m not a betting man, but if anyone was up for a wager I’d back up that statement with a substantial sum. I lament that evidence-based belief, as I’d prioritize the search for form of a larger camp over whatever operational and intangible benefits of a tighter one. But that’s 99.9% not what Greg is going to do.
It's interesting, because if Berhalter sticks with a number like 27 or 28, then does he leave out basically all fringe players from the September list, or does he leave out players who he thinks will make the World Cup in order to test fringe players? Given the fact that the US hasn't had that many opportunities to test itself against non-CONCACAF opposition, he probably has to go with #1. For example, I don't see any room at all for a player like Mihailovic unless Berhalter goes with a larger squad, because otherwise somebody important will have to be left out.
I think one consideration is it would have been hard to give significant PT to both Wright and Vazquez. Presumably Vazquez is next in line.
Vines, EPB will not be there. Morris will. Otherwise, I think guys in contention will depend on form. Sands is a coach's player which Berhalter would have discovered if he'd brought him in more. Unfortunately, he's a guy the coach will want to work with. When the coach does that he will be rewarded with performance. Too late, too bad - cuz we need some depth in dmid role.
So interesting. I’d wager his goal is team cohesion, prioritizing getting his locked-in guys on the same page of whatever strategic objectives he has. Whomever fits in behind Ferreira, Jedi, Dest, et al... well, he’ll invite his perceived top picks in September. They’ll have an edge come roster selection time, but if they screw up I think Gregg is comfortable selecting the next guys he has on the depth chart—even if they’re not present for the September camp. I agree with what some folks here have said, that guys like Vasquez and Pomykal have a pretty low chance of invitation at this point. And essentially zero if not present in September, as Gregg seems hesitant to upset the balance of team chemistry and system knowledge with new recruits without a proper run-out. I suppose a rash of untimely injuries can alter the trend here—I wouldn’t dare risking speaking any of these into existence, though one can imagine—but under relatively normal circumstances Gregg’s been somewhat predictable when it comes to this stuff.
Berhalter likes goals and Mihailovich provides that. He's one of the few Berhalter has not worked with much whom he might call in nontheless. I think guys who have not worked at all with Berhalter will likely not get called in at this point. Maybe a regular has a slight knock and he takes the opportunity to call in somebody new. Otherwise he will want to work with his regulars on tactics he expects to use v. our various opponents and get hose down "cold".
Vines may or may not be there, but there will probably be someone as the backup left back whether it’s him, Bello, or Tolkin. As for EPB, no reason for him not to be there unless Brooks makes a shocking return. It’s not as if we’ve locked in our four center backs quite yet. Sands needs to get good playing time to start this season and that might get him on the roster.
Someone like Mihailovic is competing with a Roldan or Morris for the last spot or two. The question is will Berhalter give Mihailovic a shot versus calling either of those guys in when he has a good sense of what they bring to the table.
I think his fullbacks will be Dest, Cannon, ARob, Scally. the 4 cb's will be Zim, CCV, Long, and, I guess, Richards. (Edit: If EPB gets called in it will be due to roster size enlargement but I doubt he sees time in Qatar.)
I don’t think CCV has locked down a spot yet, but also there’s no reason we’d necessarily be limited to 4 center backs or fullbacks for the roster. I have a hard time seeing Yedlin being left off either, and Scally may not make it over Cannon.
With Paredes I think his play could get him on the roster, though Wolfsburg appears to be using him further up the field in preseason and not at left back. What he said about that September camp is he thinks most of the roster will and it won’t be much of a tryout period. And it’s true we shouldn’t expect a bunch of new guys. But it’s plausible we could see a player like Vazquez given the shortcomings at forward. If Berhalter isn’t happy with the options he has to choose from, I don’t think it’ll stop him from calling Vazquez (who is clearly already on his radar).
Scally over Cannon doesn't make sense as a comparison because the idea with Scally is to have back up at LB and he adds inverted right foot there. Additionally, Scally is known to be a good passer and Long/Musah may need some help in that department which they would not get so much in ARob whose passing into midfield can be good but tends to be inconsistent.
CCV was picked by Celtic going into UCL. HIs play for us in the box has always been rock solid. He'd be playing in EPL if he were better on the ball. Having said that, he has vastly improved his game on the ball, provided the team understands how he plays and I'm pretty sure Berhalter understands that.
I think it would take none of the Euro strikers performing for Vazquez to get called in. Ferreira has one spot on lock down. So, all of Pefok, Pepi, Dike, Wright and even Sargent have to be either not playing or ineffective for Vazquez to get called. I think this is especially true since I believe it's very possible Berhalter only selects two 9's, and adds Morris as a catch all.
I hope and think Paredes will get called in in September if he’s doing well for Wolfsburg. Don’t think there’s much Pomykal can do at this point. Didn’t he supposedly make negative comments about berhalter or something? I also think he will go with the hottest striker he’s familiar with, and I think Dike is the most likely to be that guy.