It’s been almost a month since the last pre-World Cup international competition, and the player pool for the US Men’s National Team remained divided into several categories. There are those who are perceived as travel locks to Qatar, those who are on the fringe wanting to climb into a safer group, and those who are a little off the radar looking to rush into the fray a little later. , not all player and club situations can be assessed equally. One player not playing and possibly on the move (one of these recognized locks, Sergiño Dest; read more) does not necessarily dock his roster points But another player (John Brooks, still a free agent) without the club, would have a negative impact on the roster shot he could have left.
Last weekend, many of the above were on display. Players like Gio Reina (returning from injury with Borussia Dortmund), Luca de la Torre (just starting at new club Celta Vigo) and Tim Weah (just injured at Lille) are all playing. They didn’t, but they hope their roster doesn’t wear badly. The pressure is that much greater for others who aren’t playing at all or not playing well. It also opens the door to late surgers, especially in required positions.
With all that in mind, here are the key takeaways from US manager Greg Berhalter’s eye-catching weekend abroad.
From left to right: Dest, Tillman, and McKennie, three of USMNT’s young talents.
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Contract with Dest
Serginho Dest was a healthy scratch from Barcelona’s season-opening match against Rayo Vallecano and was deemed unfit for the 23-man squad competing in Xavi’s match. Dest’s status at Barça has peaked and plummeted throughout Xavi’s tenure. And with just over two weeks left in the transfer window, he suddenly looks like a candidate for sale again.
“It was a technical decision,” Xavi said of Dest’s elimination following the 0-0 draw. “Of course, there are many possibilities to choose a player. He knows my opinion about him. It’s a shame of course that many players can’t play, but this is football, right?”
It wasn’t a public warning either, but it wasn’t exactly the most jarring endorsement. He has been placed in questionable crosshairs at Manchester United given his previous links with Eric ten Hag during his time at Ajax. could provide a return to an area where it is needed and I wouldn’t say Barcelona are an indicator of stability these days. , if caught in Manchester United’s downward spiral, the United States would very quickly have right-back problems. An awkward place to be in a time of extreme emergency.
McKennie’s return could come sooner or later
When Weston McKennie ruled out at least three weeks with a shoulder injury earlier in the month, it looked like a questionable start to the season for a player whose second half of the 2021-22 season was cut short by another illness…but good The news came in the form of an acceleration in the timetable, with McKennie back in training and available for choice in Juventus’ season opener against Sassuolo on Monday.
It’s an encouraging sign that McKennie, who currently wears the No. 8 shirt in Turin, will be able to return a week earlier than planned, even if he doesn’t play. A little bit more important for players trying to get in shape for the World Cup. McKennie should have plenty of chances in Juventus’ midfield with Paul Pogba also injured and Aaron Ramsey gone. Manager Max Allegri said this summer: “Probably the best American player to play in Europe. I think it’s very important for him that he continues to show at Juve at a high level.” It looks like it’s coming very soon.
Valencia’s radar is hurting
Another US player with a delayed season debut is Tim Ware. After missing Lille’s Ligue 1 opener due to disciplinary measures dating back to last season, a foot injury has ruled him out of the club’s matches this weekend and manager Paulo Fonseca said Ware will be next for the club. The main match against former club PSG, PSG.
There is the issue of transfer negotiations over the US winger. L’Equipe reported last week that Valencia are looking to acquire the wear on loan (with an option to buy) after selling Portuguese winger Gonzalo Guedes to Wolves. It’s an interesting proposition, but like any move with the World Cup approaching (especially the move to a new league), it comes with great risks and unknowns. Also, his Weah-Yunus Musah tandem in Spain will make Valencia a must-see for US fans. There’s also some fun trivia where Valencia manager Gennaro Gattuso touches on Weah’s father, the great George from Liberia, when he played for Weah and AC his Milan. Regardless of who Ware wears between now and the end of the transfer window on September 1, it will be a while before he gets back on the field.
Malik Tillman, Aerial Threat
The Bayern Munich loaner proved to be the back-post champions for Rangers, scoring for the second consecutive game with a bounce to a cross in the danger zone. Beating his first aggregate draw, the Scottish side sent the Rangers to the final play-off round of the Champions League qualifiers where he will face PSV his Eindhoven. Saturday further delighted the home crowd with Tillman scoring in a 4–0 league elimination at Ibrox.
Whether or not he applies this loan to a ticket to Qatar, the 20-year-old is certainly maxing out his first real first-team opportunity at club level and is so far on another call. In September after the first US camp last June.
light stuff details
Hadji Wright’s first goal of the season at Antalyaspor was spectacular. The striker secured the club’s maiden victory with his header on a picturesque dive. With an opposing midfielder unable to track down one of his teammates running through center, Wright wisely peeled back the center back marking him, demanded a cross (which was pinpoint) and delivered. It was a decisive move and another piece of evidence in his favor in the position that the United States is short of top producers.
After scoring 14 goals on loan in the 2021-22 season, Wright scored for the United States in June, but apart from a conversion kick, he failed to impress Verhalter (the sample size was very high). albeit less). Hitting the target this weekend will go a long way toward earning another chance next month, and a place on the World Cup roster is still achievable.
Conrad goes on loan
It’s easy to forget now, but Conrad de la Fuente was the USA’s starter in the first game of World Cup qualifiers. However, he has not appeared for the United States national team since his September 2021 window and will be hard-pressed to return to the radar in time for the World Cup. To do so, however, he headed to Greece, joining Olympiacos on loan from Marseille, and after his first season with the French club (1 goal and 3 assists) was cut short by injury, he ended up in Ligue 1. His immediate prospects looked bleak. His new team dropped out of the qualifying play-off rounds of the Champions League earlier this summer, but still have a chance to compete in the group stages of the Europa League.
However, it’s been a long and winding road since Konrad was born. of American in Barcelona. He is only 21 years old but has a bright future ahead of him with his club and national team. But descending the ladder of fame from Barcelona to Marseille to Olympiacos offers humility and a fresh start to climb again.
Altidore on board in Liga MX
Jozy Altidore didn’t take long to score for his new club. Finding the back of the net in his second appearance in Puebla, he played a role in a wild comeback to draw on Friday night. The goal was the quintessential Altidore at his best, running down the center in a timely fashion (which looked very close to being offside) and finishing in a sequence that had the tinges of a 2009 Confederations Cup strike. Before, his strength held off defenders against Spain. That won’t be enough for the 32-year-old to return to the US mix, but it’s heartening to see his life on the horizon after a disappointing few months in New England.
With Brandon Vázquez (15 goals, second in the league), Jesús Ferreira and Jeremy Evovis (14 goals each, tied for third) scoring in MLS over the weekend, the likes of Ricardo Pepi and Josh Sargent went goalless abroad again, especially With the outlook at its brightest, the few days in North America have proven to be productive days for players looking to strengthen their case as to why they should be on board with the US situation.
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