Gregg Berhalter has selected the roster for the final USMNT camp and friendlies prior to November's World Cup. The majority of the group that will feature in the friendlies against Japan (Sept. 23) and Saudi Arabia (Sept. 27) would have been expected, but there were a few surprises.
Perhaps the most surprising selections were amongst the strikers. While Josh Sargent has been in good form for his club Norwich City, he has largely been out of Berhalter's plans. Ricardo Pepi has had the opposite problem. Pepi had his breakthrough performances under Berhalter with the national team but has been out of form and unable to find the back of the net since securing a transfer to FC Ausburg of the Bundesliga last year. With other striker options Tim Weah and Jordan Pefok currently dealing with injuries, Berhalter may be taking the opportunity to see what Pepi and Sargent can bring to the team should they be called upon for the World Cup.
The other major surprise came on the other side of the pitch with veteran defender Tim Ream missing out. Ream has been a regular fixture in Berhalter's squads, so for him to be MIA this close to the World Cup opened some eyes. I would still be surprised if Ream is not with the USMNT on the plane to Qatar come November. Berhalter likely knows what he has in Ream, and felt it would be better to give him a break while allowing fringe players such as Cameron Carter Vickers an opportunity.
A lot can change between now and when Berhalter will announce the World Cup roster on November 9, but I believe he has the majority of his team worked out. Below is the full roster for September with the players I believe are locked in for the World Cup (if healthy) in Italics:
GOALKEEPERS: Matt Turner, Sean Johnson, Ethan Horvath
DEFENDERS: Sergiño Dest, DeAndre Yedlin, Reggie Cannon, Joe Scally, Sam Vines, Walker Zimmerman, Chris Richards, Aaron Long, Cameron Carter-Vickers
MIDFIELDERS: Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie, Yunus Musah, Luca de la Torre, Kellyn Acosta, Malik Tillman
FORWARDS: Christian Pulisic, Brenden Aaronson, Gio Reyna, Paul Arriola, Jordan Morris, Jesus Ferreira, Josh Sargent, Ricardo Pepi
Goalkeeper Zack Steffen, Forward Timothy Weah, and left back Antonee Robinson would all seem to be locked for the World Cup Roster if they are fit.
Fringe players to keep an eye on who could sneak onto the final roster for the World Cup:
Defenders Shaq Moore, Erik-Palmer Brown, and maybe ever John Brooks *shrug emoji*
Midfielders Christian Roldan, Gianluca Busio, James Sands, and Sebastien Lletget
Forwards Matthew Hoppe, Haji Wright, Gyasi Zardes, and Brandon Vasquez
Let the countdown to Qatar begin!
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