After missing the World Cup in 2018, the USMNT underwent a number of big changes at top in preparation for the 2022 World Cup. They begin qualifying matches next weekend, and today the USMNT revealed its World Cup qualifying roster.
USMNT manager Gregg Berhalter has named his 26-player squad for the September games. The Stars & Stripes play El Salvador on September 2, Canada in Nashville on September 5 and Honduras on September 8.
Making the cut is a who’s-who of USMNT who have proven themselves at the club and country level. Among the marquee names are Christian Pulisic, Tyler Adams, Gio Reyna, Sergino Dest, Weston McKennie and Josh Sargent.
Fans are hyped. And they have every reason to be.
Here’s the full USMNT roster:
GOALKEEPERS: Ethan Horvath, Zack Steffen, Matt Turner
DEFENDERS: George Bello, John Brooks, Sergiño Dest, Mark McKenzie, Tim Ream, Antonee Robinson, Miles Robinson, James Sands, DeAndre Yedlin, Walker Zimmerman
MIDFIELDERS: Kellyn Acosta, Tyler Adams, Sebastian Lletget, Weston McKennie, Cristian Roldan
FORWARDS: Brenden Aaronson, Konrad de la Fuente, Jordan Pefok, Ricardo Pepi, Christian Pulisic, Gio Reyna, Josh Sargent, Tim Weah
Let’s do this #USMNT
🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 https://t.co/7ji9ZboOli— Jose Eleazar Gudiño (@JoseGudino) August 26, 2021
Our #USMNT roster for #WCQ is here! https://t.co/3EGLUv1jxT
— Stars and Stripes FC (@StarsStripesFC) August 26, 2021
Say what you will, but I’m pumped outta my mind!
I CANNOT wait for September 2nd!! #USMNT pic.twitter.com/OxeIwGUXMh
— US SOCCER CORNER🇺🇸 (@USMNTCORNER) August 26, 2021
Overall roster feeling… 👍 #USMNT pic.twitter.com/H4oor5n4QG
— USMNT UK (@USMNT_UK) August 26, 2021
There was one fresh face as well which fans were delighted to see. Ricardo Pepi of FC Dallas, fresh off a huge performance in last night’s MLS All-Star Game, is the only player on the squad who has not been capped yet. But he will be now.
RICARDO PEPI #USMNT https://t.co/ep0wcY9uCI pic.twitter.com/5nrbQapqzW
— Christian Rudloff (@MUSinfonian) August 26, 2021
But there were some omissions that have left a sour taste in fans’ mouths too. Matthew Hoppe and Reggie Cannon, who both played big roles in the team’s recent trophy wins, were left off the squad.
Most surprising #USMNT omissions for me: Hoppe and Cannon. Figured Hoppe’s ability to play across the front line would be useful in the absence of Zardes, Dike and Arriola. And Cannon has just been so steady under Berhalter.
— Thomas Floyd (@ThomasFloyd) August 26, 2021
The USMNT are taking part in the CONCACAF Third Round of 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification. They are one of eight teams taking part in a 14-game round robin against Canada, El Salvador, Honduras, Panama, Costa Rica, Jamaica and Mexico.
The three teams that finish with the most points on the table will advance to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The fourth-place team will get to play in an inter-confederation playoff against a team to be determined with a final shot at World Cup qualification.
It’s a very different roster from the one that failed to reach the World Cup in 2018.
Will this squad succeed where the other one failed?
The post Soccer World Reacts To USMNT World Cup Qualifying Roster appeared first on The Spun.
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