If you are a fan of the US Men’s National I have to believe you would be happy with the direction after beating both Paraguay and Uruguay convincingly.
Gio Reyna stepping back in and having a big performance of course has been on everyone lips. I was excited to see him back I won’t lie. But I was wondering what could he deliver. I question the coaches in Germany , I get Dortmund they had German internationals that Gio had to unseat , but Gladbach I can only imagine its the new coach’s system that maybe at odds with him getting more time. We have to remember that when Gio got to Gladbach he signed under a different manager , now that he is gone its the same effect that Weston has been getting at Juve have to show how you fit in.
Balagon, Arfsten, Dest, Tessmann all super impressive against Paraguay.
Luna , Berhalter, Freeman showed well against Uruguay.
So where does that leave the team in this moment, who is likely to be playing in the summer? Well I will take a stab at it and break down why. I am going to base this on the system Poch has been using 3-4-2-1, we have 26 roster spots , I am going to fill 24 and reason out why the last 2 make it.
Goalkeeper, Freese, Schulte are in everyone else is on the outside looking in. The third goalkeeper spot I am not sure really what would separate them at this point. I guess Turner based off of experience might get the nod but I would like to see the team move on from him, his age, his lack of solid playing time let alone some mistakes in positioning just think lets get the next gen started.
Defenders, Chris Richards, Miles Robinson are a lock. They are performing every time. Now comes the well interesting part. Freeman makes it he is versatile can play on the right side but could play as that wing back roll if need be too, he has been solid but I am putting him in the “3” at the back category for now. McKennzie looked good and can be at the center OR the left as he does in France, question is , is he the starter on the left. Trusty I thnk word his way into the picture after his performance against Uruguay, he is left footed more natural in that spot much like my big question mark, Tim Ream.
Does Ream get a spot, I think he does but I started to worry after watching him in the MLS playoffs, I like Tim Ream but he got tied in knots against New York FC. He is also getting older , at 38 the step is gone honestly. But his leadership and experience Poch seems to trust. Tolkien and Scaly are on the outside looking in. (Richards , Robinson, Ream, McKennzie, Freeman, Trusty)
Midfield, Tyler Adams and Tanner Tessmann are a lock , and I would say so is Weston McKennie. Yes I am putting him beside Adams or Tessmann instead of the dual 10 role. But that is why I have him in here he can fill several spots. That leaves me with one more spot in this category. This is where its gets tricky Berhalter and Roldan both have shown very well. My nod goes to Roldan (Adams, Tessmann, McKennie, Roldan)
Wing/Wing Backs, this category is one where I am naming four but know others can fill in as well . This also hinges on health as we know Jedi Robinson right now you can call in as he is not recovered and or playing. But I will assume he will be for now. Tim Weah for me fits into this category , he fills spot in France and Poch has him do it for the US and he has looked good. (Dest, Arfsten, Weah, Jedi)
Dual Tens, Pulisic and Malik Tillman are two you already know have their spot . Who will back them up. Reyna made his case in this window and as of now he gets a spot. Luna also has been good and called in without fail for sometime now. McKennis is already in the team but can play in this role if need be. Aaronson I know played there in this window but for me he does not make to the cup this time around. His skill is not in question , he has loads of it . But he gets knocked off the ball so easily, not just with us but I have seen it in England too. Its odd he and Luna are about the same height however Luna just seems to fight off and hold the ball better, that critical in this role. (Pulisic, M Tillman, Reyna, Luna)
Strikers, Balagon, Wright and Pepi enough said all three for me are a lock (Balagon, Wright and Pepi)
So that leaves two spots to fill and a small cast to fill them. So here is the who,,,
Agyemang, Berhalter, Morris, Scaly , Tolkien , Sargent, Cardoso , Musah , del la Torre, Zendejas
Now here is the possible why!!! Lots can change between now and the World Cup primarily injuries. The gents on this list have been injured and that why they have not featured as much. The question will be can they get form maybe come in March and show again why the deserve it. SURE!!
But what will we need,,,
I think Berhalter makes the list , he has been solid Poch likes him his free kick delivery is wonderful . Next on form and what he has shown Zendejas, he can play in the 10 role or on the wing and has been in great form before the injury. Now what if Jedi doesn’t recover? I think you have a tough choice between Scaly and Tolkien. Tolkien showed well against Uruguay, Scaly did well against Paraguay. The issue is flexibility one is clearly on the left and only clearly on the right , Jedi is left sided Tolkien might get the nod.
So my 26
Freese, Schulte, Celentano
Richards, M Robinson, McKennzie, Freeman, Trusty, Ream
Adams, Roldan, McKennie, Tessmann, Berhalter
Dest, Arfsten, Weah, Jedi
Pulisic, M Tillman, Reyna, Luna, Zendejas
Balagon, Wright, Pepi