This article will highlight how both Gregg Berhalter and I would select our squad for the World Cup. While for the most part we both agree on players, there are some vast differences. Down below is what will likely be Berhalter’s side. Following that will be the team who I think should be headed to Qatar.
Berhalter’s Squad
Goalkeepers
Matt Turner
Zack Steffen
Ethan Horvath
Sean Johnson is a wild card here too as some think Hovarth is not playing as well as Johnson at the moment.
Fullbacks
Sergino Dest
Joe Scally
Reggie Cannon
Antonee Robinson
DeAndre Yedlin and Sam Vines are wild cards here too especially considering they were on his squad for this past month’s squad. There's a good chance these two might be selected over Cannon.
Center Backs
Cameron Carter-Vickers
Chris Richards
Aaron Long
Walker Zimmerman
Erik Palmer-Brown
Central/Defensive Midfielders
Weston McKennie
Yunus Musah
Luca de la Torre
Kellyn Acosta
Tyler Adams
Strikers/Wingers
Ricardo Pepi
Josh Sargent
Jesus Ferreira
Brendan Aaronson
Gio Reyna
Christian Pulisic
Tim Weah
Jordan Morris
Paul Arriola
One thing you’ll notice is that Berhalter has certain guys that he wants on his team. Lot’s of Major League Soccer veterans such as Morris, Acosta, and Arriola. Not sure of the fascination as to why Berhalter has these players on his squad, but they seem to fit his system to how he likes it.
Now for mine. This is going to be slightly different and I’ll give my reasons why later, but this is who I would take to Qatar. Remember, this is not a prediction, it’s who I would bring to Qatar, so don’t get worked up over my squad if you think it’s a prediction.
My Squad
Goalkeepers
Matt Turner
Zack Steffen
Ethan Horvath
Gaga Slonina is someone who I considered possibly over Horvath, but I think Horvath’s experience plays a significant role here. Next cycle I think Slonina should be considered heavily.
Fullbacks
Sergino Dest
Joe Scally
Reggie Cannon
Antonee Robinson
Sam Vines should also get a consideration here especially if an injury arises. I’m okay with DeAndre Yedlin getting consideration too.
Center Backs
Cameron Carter-Vickers
Chris Richards
Mark McKenzie
Erik Palmer-Brown
John Brooks
Matt Miazga, Auston Trusty, James Sands, and Tim Ream should get consideration as their forms have been great and Trusty is under the radar.
Defensive/Central Midfielders
Weston McKennie
Yunus Musah
Luca de la Torre
Johnny Cardoso
Tyler Adams
Strikers/Wingers
Jordan Pefok
Josh Sargent
Ricardo Pepi
Brendan Aaronson
Gio Reyna
Christian Pulisic
Tim Weah
Konrad de la Fuente
Malik Tillman
I decided to go with youth here as you can see and honestly my selections won’t make much of an impact considering roughly 95 percent of my selections are the same as Berhalter’s. John Brooks is a head scratcher as to why Berhalter will not bring him to camps as he’s probably the best center back in the player pool plus he has World Cup experience. My problem with Berhalter’s selections is he takes so many players from the MLS that should have no business playing at the national level. Paul Arriola and Cristian Roldan are perfect examples of this, but he seemingly has the ability to move on from players like them such as Sebastian Lleget and Jackson Yueill, but his insistence to keep calling them up instead of younger and more talented players is what boggles some people’s minds. People will question my Konrad de la Fuente selection considering he has only seen the field three times since he joined Olympiacos and not since 9/11, but the talent is there and he makes things happen when he is out there, however he probably wouldn’t see any action regardless in the World Cup. Why Berhalter will not bring up Pefok just makes my head hurt as he’s in great form. It was a hard selection between Pepi and Ferreira, but Pepi has been in great form for FC Groningen, plus playing in Europe helps his case. Both will go under Berhalter which will be fun to watch considering they both played at FC Dallas together and have a good partnership, but how effective will it be in the World Cup. Kellyn Acosta is actually a solid player and is number two on the depth chart at defensive midfield, but there’s a lot to like with Johnny Cardoso. Cardoso has been a favorite of mine and he has shown how good he can be with Internacional. While unlikely to be selected, he has been on Berhalter’s radar so there could be a chance Cardoso makes it, especially with Luca de la Torre possibly not being ready for the World Cup due to an injury. I just think Cardoso should be Tyler Adams’ backup as he is younger and more talented than Acosta. One thing to be on the look out is whether Luca de la Torre will make the team with the recent injury as he suffered a thigh muscle tear and is out for three weeks, which puts his chances at going to Qatar in doubt, but the head coach of his club Celta Vigo said he should be fine by the World Cup and participate. Otherwise, my squad is pretty solid and according to Transfermarkt my side is valued at €309.30m, while Berhalter’s is 304. I wonder who’s squad would be more successful if that's how much they differ in value. Either way, it’s very exciting to see who will be on the 26 man squad come next month.
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