I don't think the summer could have gone better for Berhalter and his squad(s) over the last few months. Got a ton of young guys experience, got the older players a ton of confidence, and we beat El Tri in 2 Cup finals. Only disappointment was not qualifying for Olympics, but having the groups around for Nations League and Gold Cup may have been better in long run. So, where are we now with this squad going into WCQ and hopefully a successful run in Qatar in 2022?
My initial thoughts after the Nations League and the Gold Cup are:
1. I will no longer entertain Gregg Berhalter blasting. He has earned the right to lead this club and has earned my respect in how he has done it. Try out new players? Yep. Give veterans a second chance? Yep. Try and create an identity? Yep. Be flexible with tactics given opponent? Yep. He answered his critics this summer and came out with two trophies, all while staying dedicated to building a depth of roster for the club moving forward. He has earned deference and I will give him that through WCQ. There seems to be a good bond with him and the guys, they all genuinely seem to like playing for the US, and it shows in their effort on the pitch.
2. We have good depth in the Central defense. Miles Robinson and James Sands were the two most pleasant surprises for me this summer. Their play in the central defense throughout the Gold Cup was flat out phenomenal. We gave up 1 goal in the entire Gold Cup, in the one match where we scored 6 v. Martinique. Our offense struggled at times, but these two were rock solid all Gold Cup, and I am so happy we have this kind of depth in the position now.
3. Kellyn Acosta should be on the roster for every qualifier. I don't know if any player improved their stock as much in the summer than Kellyn. His play was really, really strong in the 6 CDM position. His passing is sometimes a bit loose for me, but his defensive acumen really helped solidify the young Gold Cup squad. I see his role being as a sub coming in to help lock down a 1 goal lead for the last 20 minutes of a tough WCQ. Sitting beside a tiring Tyler Adams, or making the occasional start in that role given Tyler's injury history. We needed depth at the spot behind Tyler, and Kellyn provided that this summer.
4. Still have questions at the Forward spot. No one stepped up and really laid claim to that forward position this summer. Sargent, Dike, Hoppe, Zardes and Giochini all had their moments, but we don't have a clear starter there yet. Dike is not ready, yet, but I do like his future. Sargent has a lot of potential too, but needs to step into that larger role, more important role. I really like Hoppe, but I think his position is out on the more crowded wing.
5. Zardes deserves consideration for WCQ roster spot. There, I said it. I didn't think that I would ever say that, but of all the central forwards who played over the summer he had the most impact on games. He didn't score much, and his finishing is still a great concern, but you cannot question his work rate or involvement and he did impress me.
6. Brendan Aaronson is a star in the making. I really enjoyed watching him play this summer, he a Gio Reyna have great energy on the wings, I really think we are in a good spot on the wings with Pulisic, Reyna, Weah, Aaronson, Hoppe, Giochini and Arriola.
7. We have depth! Loved watching all the young players play this summer, from Busio to Vines to Robinson to McKenzie to Dike to Hoppe to Giochini to Sands and on and on, we have really got a great deal of young depth that will serve us well through WCQ and on through the WC, and should all be really primed for a legit run in the 2026 WC here in the US.
8. We have us a legit GK battle. Steffan better go find some playing time, because Horvath and Turner showed their abilities this summer. Turner might be the leader for me right now, I was very impressed with his footskills, especially against Mexico where he had to be a release valve all night.
9. Current Starting XI. GK-Turner, FB-Dest and Cannon, CD-Brooks and Miles Robinson, Midfield-Adams, McKennie, Mussah, Wings- Pulisic and Reyna, Forward-Zardes
Was a great summer for the USMNT, let's bring on the WCQ!!!!
My initial thoughts after the Nations League and the Gold Cup are:
1. I will no longer entertain Gregg Berhalter blasting. He has earned the right to lead this club and has earned my respect in how he has done it. Try out new players? Yep. Give veterans a second chance? Yep. Try and create an identity? Yep. Be flexible with tactics given opponent? Yep. He answered his critics this summer and came out with two trophies, all while staying dedicated to building a depth of roster for the club moving forward. He has earned deference and I will give him that through WCQ. There seems to be a good bond with him and the guys, they all genuinely seem to like playing for the US, and it shows in their effort on the pitch.
2. We have good depth in the Central defense. Miles Robinson and James Sands were the two most pleasant surprises for me this summer. Their play in the central defense throughout the Gold Cup was flat out phenomenal. We gave up 1 goal in the entire Gold Cup, in the one match where we scored 6 v. Martinique. Our offense struggled at times, but these two were rock solid all Gold Cup, and I am so happy we have this kind of depth in the position now.
3. Kellyn Acosta should be on the roster for every qualifier. I don't know if any player improved their stock as much in the summer than Kellyn. His play was really, really strong in the 6 CDM position. His passing is sometimes a bit loose for me, but his defensive acumen really helped solidify the young Gold Cup squad. I see his role being as a sub coming in to help lock down a 1 goal lead for the last 20 minutes of a tough WCQ. Sitting beside a tiring Tyler Adams, or making the occasional start in that role given Tyler's injury history. We needed depth at the spot behind Tyler, and Kellyn provided that this summer.
4. Still have questions at the Forward spot. No one stepped up and really laid claim to that forward position this summer. Sargent, Dike, Hoppe, Zardes and Giochini all had their moments, but we don't have a clear starter there yet. Dike is not ready, yet, but I do like his future. Sargent has a lot of potential too, but needs to step into that larger role, more important role. I really like Hoppe, but I think his position is out on the more crowded wing.
5. Zardes deserves consideration for WCQ roster spot. There, I said it. I didn't think that I would ever say that, but of all the central forwards who played over the summer he had the most impact on games. He didn't score much, and his finishing is still a great concern, but you cannot question his work rate or involvement and he did impress me.
6. Brendan Aaronson is a star in the making. I really enjoyed watching him play this summer, he a Gio Reyna have great energy on the wings, I really think we are in a good spot on the wings with Pulisic, Reyna, Weah, Aaronson, Hoppe, Giochini and Arriola.
7. We have depth! Loved watching all the young players play this summer, from Busio to Vines to Robinson to McKenzie to Dike to Hoppe to Giochini to Sands and on and on, we have really got a great deal of young depth that will serve us well through WCQ and on through the WC, and should all be really primed for a legit run in the 2026 WC here in the US.
8. We have us a legit GK battle. Steffan better go find some playing time, because Horvath and Turner showed their abilities this summer. Turner might be the leader for me right now, I was very impressed with his footskills, especially against Mexico where he had to be a release valve all night.
9. Current Starting XI. GK-Turner, FB-Dest and Cannon, CD-Brooks and Miles Robinson, Midfield-Adams, McKennie, Mussah, Wings- Pulisic and Reyna, Forward-Zardes
Was a great summer for the USMNT, let's bring on the WCQ!!!!