Now that the failed 2018 World Cup qualification nightmare is officially over, USMNT fans are looking forward to the big dance once again. Now I know 26 players to take there. Team USA head coach Gregg Berhalter announced his final roster on Wednesday, Nov. 9, and there were a few surprises.
Veteran Fulham defender Tim Lim and Seattle Sounders duo Christian Roldan and Jordan Morris scored. Nashville right guard Shaq Moore and junior Joe Scully beat Reggie Cannon. And Hadji Wright and Josh Sargent were signed ahead of Union Berlin’s Jordan Pefok and Groningen’s Ricardo Pepi, with the latter starting to turn things around on loan in Holland. “It was very difficult to talk to Pepi,” Berhalter told ESPN during the opening show. “He scored three goals in the World Cup qualifiers and will not be in the program. Josh [Sargent] is in the [England] Championship and played in the Premier League last year. We play against Wales and England and both teams have players from that league. “Haji Wright is in good form and will play for his team in Turkey. Jesús Pereira was good for us and understood the game plan and how to execute it,” said Berhalter. “Right now, Haji Wright is in better shape than Jordan Pepok.”
Also surprising was the suspension of goalkeeper Zach Steffen, the USMNT’s No. 1 goalkeeper at the start of the cycle. “I think in some cases what we have is more important than what we don’t have,” Berhalter said of the goaltending situation without mentioning Steffen. “It’s good to have three goalkeepers on the roster.”
Goal-Keeper
- Ethan Hvrath
- Sean Johnson
- Matt Turner
Defenders
- Tim Ream
- Carter Vickers
- Sergino Dest
- Aaron Long
- Shaq Moore
- Antonee Robinson
- Joe Scally
- Yedlin
- Zimmerman
Mid-Fielders
- Acosta
- Adams
- Mckennie
- Musah
- Roldan
- Brendon Aaronson
- Luca de La Torre
Forwards
- USMNT Vs Wales
- England Vs USMNT
- Iran Vs USMNT
Furthermore, The undisputed star of the USMNT is Christian Pulisic, and his ability to stay sane and manage the offense will determine how far the USA can go at the World Cup. With his playing time at Chelsea reduced, he will need to recover for the tournament in Qatar. Leeds United’s Tyler Adams and Brenden Aaronson have also made a significant impact in this squad, and their pressing skills have fitted in perfectly with Gregg Berhalter’s system. Adams in particular acts as the engine in midfield, moving back into the number 6 position and taking possession from the back. Weston McKenney is another regular at center and his partnership with Adams and Yunus Musa is dubbed “MMA”. Without one of these three things, America will have to pay dearly and their health will suffer. McKenney and Moses have developed a true #8 tower, with Moses facilitating and McKenney acting more box-to-box.
The USA midfielder is the undisputed strength of the team. While not particularly deep, having an MMA trio is a boon for the United States, and the trio can take on many middleweights in the world. Substitute Luca de la Torre has recovered from injury but will go to Qatar.