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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