USMNT Drops 26 Star Roster for September World Cup Friendlies

With their opening World Cup match against Wales only 68 days away, the USMNT is revealing their roster for September friendlies against Saudi Arabia and Japan.

The team list is by no means a final decision before WC22 action, though it does give fans a hint into who head coach Gregg Berhalter is favoring this fall.

Let’s do a quick rundown of which Stars and Stripes made the cut and a couple who didn’t.

Goalkeepers

Matt Turner

Current Squad/League – Arsenal, Premier League

CAPS – 18

Grade – A+

Turner is the top choice for starter. The Arsenal goalkeeper has been the only wall the US needs for years.

Ethan Horvath

Current Squad/League – Luton Town, EFL Championship

CAPS – 8

Grade – B

Horvath is an excellent backup but a worrisome starter.

Sean Johnson

Current Squad/League – NYCFC, MLS

CAPS – 10

Grade – C-

A veteran presence, the MLS shot-blocker would struggle against stronger international competition.

Defenders

Joe Scally

Current Squad/League – Borussia Mรถnchengladbach, Bundesliga

CAPS – 2

Grade – B+

Scally has been killing it against top German competition this year – he’s ready for the big stage.

Reggie Cannon

Current Squad/League – Boavista, Portuguese Primeira Liga

CAPS – 27

Grade – B

Cannon has been playing regularly in the Primeira Liga, helping his squad to fifth in the table.

Cameron Carter-Vickers

Current Squad/League – Celtic, Scottish Premiership

CAPS – 11

Grade – B+

Carter-Vickers is in strong form right now, powering his Scottish Premiership-leading Celtic to the UCL.

Sergiรฑo Dest

Current Squad/League – AC Milan, Serie A

CAPS – 17

Grade – A-

Dest didn’t see the pitch much with Barca this year but will hopefully get some quality minutes in Italy as AC Milan fights for the top of the table.

Chris Richards

Current Squad/League – Crystal Palace, Premier League

CAPS – 8

Grade – A

Richards has enjoyed regular minutes with his PL squad since his transfer from Bayern, though Palace sits at 15th in the table.

Sam Vines

Current Squad/League – Antwerp, Jupiler Pro League (Belgium)

CAPS – 8

Grade – A-

Vines regularly starts for Antwerp, currently number 1 and undefeated in the Belgian top division.

DeAndre Yedlin

Current Squad/League – Inter Miami, MLS

CAPS – 74

Grade – C+

Yedlin is mostly there for his seniority and CONCACAF experience – his current competition level is not ready for international attacks.

Walker Zimmerman

Current Squad/League – Nashville SC, MLS

CAPS – 31

Grade – C-

Like Yedlin above, the US does not stand a chance if the experienced Zimmerman starts in defense.

Midfielders

Yunus Musah

Current Squad/League – Valencia CF, LaLiga

CAPS – 19

Grade – A+

Musah, still only 19, will be a USMNT legend in 10 years. He’s crushing it in LaLiga – he’s going to shine in Qatar.

Kellyn Acosta

Current Squad/League – LAFC, MLS

CAPS – 52

Grade – B-

Acosta is there for his CONCACAF experience – like most MLS players, he will have trouble adjusting to World Cup-level competition.

Tyler Adams

Current Squad/League – Leeds United, Premier League

CAPS – 30

Grade – A+

Adams is putting on a defensive masterclass in the Premier League right now – the rest of the world is about to learn.

Luca de la Torre

Current Squad/League – Celta Vigo, LaLiga

CAPS – 11

Grade – B+

Torre has been a regular presence in Spain’s top league this season, assisting his squad to the middle of the table.

Weston McKennie

Current Squad/League – Juventus, Serie A

CAPS – 35

Grade – A+

McKennie has become one of Juve’s most dynamic goal-scorers over the last two seasons. He’s going to show out in Qatar.

Malik Tillman

Current Squad/League – Rangers, Scottish Premiership

CAPS – 2

Grade – B+

Air Tillman was instrumental in Rangers reaching the UCL this season – a well-deserved call-up for the youngster.

Forwards

Brenden Aaronson

Current Squad/League – Leeds United, Premier League

CAPS – 22

Grade – A+

BA7, alongside Adams, has turned heads while turning LUFC into America’s Team. Aaronson is in some form right now – expect him to score in Qatar.

Paul Arriola

Current Squad/League – FC Dallas, MLS

CAPS – 47

Grade – C+

Hilarious last name aside, Arriola has proven time and time again that he’s not ready to shine at the international level.

Jesus Ferreira

Current Squad/League – FC Dallas, MLS

CAPS – 13

Grade – B+

The Texas native has been on fire in the MLS this season. He deserves his shot as much as any other forward, but will he find the back of the net against much better competition?

Jordan Morris

Current Squad/League – Seattle Sounders, MLS

CAPS – 48

Grade – C-

Expecting MLS players to score against Premier League competition is kind of dumb, to be honest.

Ricardo Pepi

Current Squad/League – FC Groningen, Eredivisie

CAPS – 11

Grade – C

The former FC Dallas product is in a weird place right now. He didn’t perform in the Bundesliga and just started playing OK again in the Eredivisie. Many believe he bought his ticket to Qatar when he chose the USMNT over Mexico. Can the teenager prove his doubters wrong?

Christian Pulisic

Current Squad/League – Chelsea, Premier League

CAPS – 51

Grade – A-

You can’t have a squad without Captain America, even if he isn’t in top form right now. Hopefully, Pulisic slides back in step before November.

Gio Reyna

Current Squad/League – Borussia Dortmund, Bundesliga

CAPS – 12

Grade – A

Reyna is finally back in first-team action with Dortmund, providing two assists in their first Champions League game. He’s been fighting injuries for years – hopefully, he stays healthy.

Josh Sargent

Current Squad/League – Norwich City, EFL Championship

CAPS – 19

Grade – A

Sargent is on fire in England right now, scoring five goals in five games for Norwich City. Yes, the Championship isn’t as good as the Premier League, but it’s miles ahead of the MLS.

Surprising Snubs

Jordan Pefok

Current Squad/League – FC Union Berlin, Bundesliga

CAPS – 9

Pefok is recovering from injury, which can be the only explanation for leaving a starting striker from the Bundesliga’s top team off your roster.

Josh Cohen

Current Squad/League – Maccabi Haifa, Israeli Premier League

CAPS – 0

The man has his team in the damn Champions League – surely, he deserves a spot over Sean Johnson.

What do you think of Berhalter’s roster?! Sound off below!

Featured Image: Pexels/Pixabay/USSoccerFederation/DM

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