Fans of the USMNT can now look forward to the big game once more as the nightmare of the team’s missed opportunity to qualify for the 2018 World Cup has been finally put to rest. The 26 players who will lead them there are now known to them. On November 9, U.S. national team manager Gregg Berhalter announced his final roster, and there were a few surprises. So do make up together A “Go Shock ’em All” team.
The right back is Sergio Dest of AC Milan, the left back is Antonee Robinson of Fulham, and the two centre backs are Walker Zimmerman of Nashville SC and Tim Ream of Fulham. Ream will start at left and Zimmerman will play right, most notably ahead of Aaron Long. Tim Ream is a seasoned Fulham defender, and Cristian Roldan and Jordan Morris, both of the Seattle Sounders, also good hence made the cut. Reggie Cannon lost out to Nashville right-back Shaq Moore and youngster Joe Scally. Jordan Pefok of Union Berlin and Ricardo Pepi of Groningen, who was just starting to turn things around on loan in the Netherlands, were chosen after Haji Wright and Josh Sargent.
Christian Pulisic is without a doubt the top player for the USMNT, and how far the Americans move in the World Cup will depend on his ability to stay healthy and lead the assault. Due to the decrease in his playing time at Chelsea, he will need to recharge before the tournament in Qatar.
Tyler Adams and Brenden Aaronson of Leeds United have also become very important players for this team, and their pressing skills are a perfect fit for Gregg Berhalter’s system. Adams in particular is a driving force in the middle of the field, forcing errors at the No. 6 spot and establishing possession from the back.
Another challenging constant in the middle is Weston McKennie, whose team-up with Yunus Musah and Adams has become known as “MMA.” The U.S. has found it costly to be without any of those three, so maintaining their health will be crucial. A true No. 8 pivot has been developed by McKennie and Musah, with Musah in charge of progression and McKennie playing a more box-to-box role and their combo could be killer.
Other players like Timothy Weah can be game changers. Timothy Has played in Ligue1 and good European ball play experience. He takes up football from his father, the legendary Ballon d’Or winner George Weah.
Matt Turner (Arsenal) is the preferred goalkeeper, as was to be expected. For the English Premier League team this season, he has only let up one goal, and it was a penalty in his first UEFA Europa League game.
Earlier today prior to the US soccer team’s first World Cup match in Qatar, President Biden took some time out of his 80th birthday weekend to motivate his team.
Biden began the chat with US national team manager Gregg Berhalter. Biden reassured the team, saying, “I know you’re the underdog, but I tell you what, man, you’ve got some of the best players in the world on your team and you’re representing our country. I know you’re going to play your hearts out.” So let’s go shock everyone, I say.
As part of his message, the president urged the athletes to “keep trusting one another and play as hard as you can for you and your family, your teammates.” Biden ended the call with a touching statement “The whole country is rooting for you,”
