The mud has settled on a dramatic World Cup roster launch for the United States that noticed a couple of surprises. Now that the 26-player squad has been determined, we now have a transparent image of what the crew will seem like after they take the sphere in opposition to Wales of their opening recreation on Nov. 21.
The “Golden Generation” label — a phrase assigned to a gaggle of gifted gamers of an identical age anticipated to realize nice success collectively — has been thrown round when speaking about this USMNT aspect. While there’s undoubtedly a plethora of expertise that includes gamers enjoying at extraordinarily excessive ranges, there are nonetheless some very worrisome points with Gregg Berhalter’s roster. Here are among the strengths and weaknesses this USA squad possesses:
Weakness: Defensive uncertainty
Without a doubt, the most important concern heading into Qatar for the U.S. is their backline. Once thought-about a energy of the crew, the protection has hit onerous occasions starting with the harm to the primary piece it had constructed a robust basis round. When Miles Robinson ruptured his Achilles tendon in the midst of his MLS season, Berhalter instantly encountered fairly the headache of the best way to change him. With Chris Richards unable to get wholesome in time, that is nonetheless a dilemma that has but to be resolved as we enter the World Cup.
It appears doubtless that Walker Zimmerman has one beginning middle again spot locked up, however the query of who will companion him stays. Fellow MLS veteran Aaron Long had as soon as seemed to be what Robinson was to the crew — a dependable defensive rock — till he suffered the identical long-term harm destiny final yr. Despite returning to full well being, he’s by no means regained the shape that had him in that standing inside the squad. Now the door is huge open for any of the quite a few centerback choices on the roster to step up and declare that beginning spot.
Centerback isn’t the one worrisome place on the again line, both. Sergiño Dest, a prized dual-national recruit who picked the USA over his beginning nation the Netherlands, has hit an premature tough patch. The projected starter at proper again for Berhalter was frozen out of the FC Barcelona squad. He joined AC Milan forward of the summer time switch deadline however has but to interrupt into the crew constantly and is nowhere close to his prime type. So, whereas there are some robust particular person abilities among the many defensive unit, having critical questions on 50% of your backline is lower than ultimate.
Strength: Midfield depth
Never has the U.S. possessed such a girth of gifted and technical midfielders. The names simply go on and on with the likes of Weston McKennie, Tyler Adams, and Gio Reyna, simply to call a couple of. These are all gamers plying their commerce with big golf equipment in Europe every day. You even have younger gamers with large talent ranges equivalent to Brenden Aaronson, Yunus Musah and Luca de la Torre who’ve proven they’re greater than able to making main contributions when referred to as upon. Unfortunately, there’s solely three beginning spots to fill and there shall be some powerful choices as to who to maintain on the bench. The just one you could be positive may have their title on the crew sheet is Adams who’s the plain and irreplaceable chief on the defensive midfield spot. Some would argue that McKennie is correct there alongside him within the worth argument, however with the plethora of expertise for Berhalter to select from, it’s not unthinkable that he may very well be unnoticed of a lineup. Nevertheless, having so many choices is an effective drawback for a coach to have.
Weakness: Many strikers, only a few objective scorers
A variety of the discuss surrounding the roster announcement was two strikers being left off. Josh Sargent, Jesus Ferreira, and Haji Wright received out over Jordan Pefok and Ricardo Pepi. While the competitors for spots was tight, the fact is it was so shut as a result of there have been no standouts. During the final 4 years, particularly in World Cup qualifying, objective scoring has been an enormous challenge. In reality, Pepi’s three objectives throughout qualifying had been probably the most amongst pure strikers on the crew. Getting manufacturing from the No. 9 spot in his system has been considered one of Berhalter’s greatest points since taking up the pinnacle coach job.
Ferreira’s means to play a extra hybrid fashion of striker who can drop into the midfield and link-up play appears to be what has received him favor within the coach’s eyes. It wouldn’t be shocking in any respect to see him get the huge likelihood because the crew’s starter after they open the match. However, a extra out-and-out kind of striker like Sargent may very well be extra favorable in opposition to each Wales and England who’ve very massive and powerful centerbacks. Then you could have Wright who’s the wildcard of the bunch and will add some physicality of his personal. There are far more questions than solutions with regards to the striker place and it’s been that manner for fairly a while.
Strength: Goalkeeper
Everyone is aware of that if the USMNT are going to make a run in a World Cup they’re going to want one thing particular from the goalkeeper place. The historical past is robust with performances like Brad Friedel’s heroics within the legendary 2002 quarterfinals run or Tim Howard in opposition to Belgium in 2014. This match feels arrange for Matt Turner to take the world by storm identical to they did. The Arsenal backup has confirmed to the American followers simply how good he could be. He’ll have the chance to do it on the most important stage doable and there’s no cause to doubt him. After showcasing his expertise in MLS, he’s gotten off to a advantageous begin in England conceding only one objective in his first 4 begins thus far. If his protection doesn’t fully crumble in entrance of him, Turner may have an opportunity to enter the USMNT lore himself.
In case of emergencies, the depth behind Turner can also be fairly robust. Even with out Zack Steffen, having Ethan Horvath and Sean Johnson in reserve is fairly reassuring. Horvath, specifically, is not any stranger to coming off the bench in a pinch and making a distinction. If we see something like his unbelievable heroism in aid in opposition to Mexico within the Nations League closing the place he stopped a possible game-tying penalty, it could simply prime something we’ve ever seen from an American goalkeeper at a World Cup. Needless to say, the U.S. are in advantageous arms between the posts.