THE TRANSATLANTIC MAGAZINE
THE TRANSATLANTIC MAGAZINE
The US Men's National Team squad, announced for the World Cup in Qatar which starts next week, is built for the future as much as it is for the present. After failing to reach the last World Cup Finals in Russia four years ago, it was time for a rebuild. The American organization also has one eye on the USA co-hosting the tournament four years from now.
Hosts of the Finals are always favored to go beyond the first-round group stage, as a minimum, so the pressure on the USA will be felt in 2026 more than it is now. Of course, the 2022 incarnation may see the hosts, Qatar, proving to be an exception to that rule given their inexperience at this level, but they do have decent form coming into this month and could spring a surprise.
For now, though, the USMNT has youthful exuberance on its side, it boasts the youngest average age squad of all the competing nations. There are some wily veterans in the side, but few. Sometimes the gung-ho attitude of a young team can do well, they will have no fear, but being savvy in tournament play may prove to be where it is let down. Time will tell, and for this set of players, and the teams they will face off against, it's easy to warm to their chances of getting out of the first stage.
1- Matt Turner, Goalkeeper, age 28
2- Sergino Dest, Defender, age 22
3- Walker Zimmerman, Defender, age 29
4- Tyler Adams, Midfielder, age 23
5- Antonee Robinson, Defender, age 25
6- Yunas Musah, Midfielder, age 19
7- Giovani Reyna, Forward, age 20
8- Weston McKennie, Midfielder, age 24
9- Jesus Ferriera, Forward, age 21
10- Christian Pulisic, Forward, age 24
11- Brandan Aaronson, Midfielder, age 22
12- Ethan Horvath, Goalkeeper, age 27
13- Tim Ream, Defender, age 35
14- Luca de la Torre, Midfielder, age 24
15- Aaron Long, Defender, age 30
16- Jordan Morris, Forward, age 28
17- Cristian Roldan, Midfielder, age 27
18- Shaquell Moore, Defender, age 26
19- Haji Wright, Forward age 24
20- Cameron Carter-Vickers, age Defender, age 24
21- Tim Weah, Forward, age 22
22- DeAndre Yedlin, Defender, age 29
23- Kellyn Acosta, Midfielder, age 27
24- Josh Sargent, Forward, age 22
25- Sean Johnson, Goalkeeper, age 33
26- Joe Scally, Defender, age 19
US head coach Gregg Berhalter has assembled a squad with a good blend of skills. The midfield is its main strength with McKennie plying his trade with Juventus, Musah at Valencia, Adams at Leeds, and a sprinkle of younger players: Reyna in Germany's Bundesliga with Dortmund, and de la Torre with Spaniards Celta Vigo. Scoring goals in Europe has been at a premium with Pulisic at Chelsea, but that is down to his game time, or lack of it. He is, though, one of the main hopes to fire the USA up. Beyond him they will look to Ferreira, and Weah. Zimmerman will perhaps be the kingpin though. To win games not only do you need to score goals, but able to defend your own, and he will have to be on top form to hold the line and keep his teammates as capable as he is. This is where Tim Ream, the oldest player in the squad at 35, will come in. The Fulham centre back could be used for his experience to guide the other players, as well as his own ability.
Ultimately it will come down to Berhalter's team selection, already criticised in some quarters by leaving out goalkeeper Zach Steffen and forward Ricardo Pepi from the 26-man squad. If he sets up right, he will then be tested if things don't quite go to plan, as he is often found lacking a Plan B. He sets up for a high press, and this will take a lot to execute in the searing heat of Qatar. The US's opening game on Monday evening, November 21, is against Wales, who themselves are "happy to be here" after a 64-year wait to come back to the World Cup Finals, but Wales does have the presence of Gareth Bale (if fit) in their team. The Americans will know of him all too well after his late cameo helped Los Angeles FC to their title win a few weeks ago. Should they get off to a good start, with either a win or a draw, the emphasis will be to carry that on against one of the tournament favourites, England. The last time the two met in the Finals the result was a well earned 1-1 draw, so the same again could put them in a healthy position against arguably the weakest team in the group, Iran. They, of course, won't be a pushover and will look to gain an upper hand against Wales in the middle group game, and their mood will be dependant on their opening result against England.
Monday 21 November – USA vs WALES 19.00 GMT
Friday 25 November – ENGLAND vs USA 19.00 GMT
Tuesday 29 November – IRAN vs USA 19.00 GMT
