No disrespect to @DufnerFanBoy who started our glorious WCQ qualifying thread, but I thought we'd start another one since we are on the precipice of the WC and teams are making their final tune ups and roster choices during this last FIFA window before Qatar. It's only 67 days away from opening kick (almost to the hour of me typing this). GGG has called his 26 guys into camp. Some won't make it to Doha, but the majority will.
Keepers: Evan Horvath, Sean Johnson, Matt Turner
Centerbacks: Cam Carter-Vickers, Aaron Long, Chris Richards, Walker Zimmerman
Fullbacks: Reggie Cannon, Sergino Dest, Joe Scally, Sam Vines, Deandre Yedlin
Mids: Kellyn Acosta, Tyler Adams, Luca de la Torre, Weston McKennie, Yunus Musah, Malik Tillman
Forwards: Brenden Aaronson, Paul Arriola, Jesus Ferreira, Jordan Morris, Ricardo Pepi, Christian Pulisic, Gio Reyna, Josh Sargent
Out due to injury: Jedi Robinson, Tim Weah, Zack Steffen
Weah is expected back for Lille later this week. Robinson’s sprained ankle happened a couple weeks ago and it appears no timetable for return has been This still should not affect his availability for the WC. Most concerning is Zack Steffen who has missed several games for Middlesbrough with a knee issue. Steffen battled a back injury throughout WCQ. When he’s right, I think he’s the best keeper we have, but he’s seemingly banged up quite a bit.
Notably absent: Jordan Pefok, who has 2 G and 3 A in 5 games for currently 1st place Union Berlin (Bundesliga).
Also worth noting: Haji Wright, who has 5 goals through 5 games for Antalyaspor (Turkish Super Lig). His only MNT experience is scoring a goal in 45 min of play versus Morocco earlier this summer.
WC Rosters are 26 guys this go round. The above list is 26. We know Jedi and Weah are locks when they are healthy. I’m less sold Steffen gets added to the WC roster if he’s healthy in time, and I think GK is fine regardless. Jedi is going to displace Scally or Vines. I'd probalby leave Scally off. Weah is going ot displace Arriola or Morris. I'd leave off Morris. I'd really look to get Pefok into the 26, probably/hopefully at the expense of Pepi.
The only questionable callup to me is Aaron Long. This isn't an anti-MLS rant. I think we'd have been just fine with Miles-Zimmerman paired and starting every game in Qatar. Long just really hasn't had an outstanding season. I know he just got picked up by Benfica, but John Brooks would've made so much sense. Hell, I'd have been fine with Tim Ream. He's old AF (for high-level soccer), but he's been quite good for Fulham so far this year. It's also a mostly young team, it might be nice to have a little bit of age on the roster, plus he's left-footed.
Despite all of my nitpicking, this group looks to be strongest where it matters most...midfield. This is a far cry from where we were entering WCQ, my friends. Adams and McKennie have raised their games, and Musah and LDLT have made the case they are clearly better than Roldan and Lletget (or the found the nudes of GGG those two had and disposed of them). Acosta isn't amazing, but is capable enough to eat minutes here and there at CDM and isn't afraid of playing a physical style. Malik Tillman is an interesting inclusion. An attacking mid...novel idea. He's a young dual-national that dazzled as a striker for Bayern's U19 squad and spurned Germany's NT for hte US. He's moved to CAM and is on loan with Rangers. He's drawn comparisons to Paul Pogba. Lofty comparison, but at least shows the ceiling he has.
Keepers: Evan Horvath, Sean Johnson, Matt Turner
Centerbacks: Cam Carter-Vickers, Aaron Long, Chris Richards, Walker Zimmerman
Fullbacks: Reggie Cannon, Sergino Dest, Joe Scally, Sam Vines, Deandre Yedlin
Mids: Kellyn Acosta, Tyler Adams, Luca de la Torre, Weston McKennie, Yunus Musah, Malik Tillman
Forwards: Brenden Aaronson, Paul Arriola, Jesus Ferreira, Jordan Morris, Ricardo Pepi, Christian Pulisic, Gio Reyna, Josh Sargent
Out due to injury: Jedi Robinson, Tim Weah, Zack Steffen
Weah is expected back for Lille later this week. Robinson’s sprained ankle happened a couple weeks ago and it appears no timetable for return has been This still should not affect his availability for the WC. Most concerning is Zack Steffen who has missed several games for Middlesbrough with a knee issue. Steffen battled a back injury throughout WCQ. When he’s right, I think he’s the best keeper we have, but he’s seemingly banged up quite a bit.
Notably absent: Jordan Pefok, who has 2 G and 3 A in 5 games for currently 1st place Union Berlin (Bundesliga).
Also worth noting: Haji Wright, who has 5 goals through 5 games for Antalyaspor (Turkish Super Lig). His only MNT experience is scoring a goal in 45 min of play versus Morocco earlier this summer.
WC Rosters are 26 guys this go round. The above list is 26. We know Jedi and Weah are locks when they are healthy. I’m less sold Steffen gets added to the WC roster if he’s healthy in time, and I think GK is fine regardless. Jedi is going to displace Scally or Vines. I'd probalby leave Scally off. Weah is going ot displace Arriola or Morris. I'd leave off Morris. I'd really look to get Pefok into the 26, probably/hopefully at the expense of Pepi.
The only questionable callup to me is Aaron Long. This isn't an anti-MLS rant. I think we'd have been just fine with Miles-Zimmerman paired and starting every game in Qatar. Long just really hasn't had an outstanding season. I know he just got picked up by Benfica, but John Brooks would've made so much sense. Hell, I'd have been fine with Tim Ream. He's old AF (for high-level soccer), but he's been quite good for Fulham so far this year. It's also a mostly young team, it might be nice to have a little bit of age on the roster, plus he's left-footed.
Despite all of my nitpicking, this group looks to be strongest where it matters most...midfield. This is a far cry from where we were entering WCQ, my friends. Adams and McKennie have raised their games, and Musah and LDLT have made the case they are clearly better than Roldan and Lletget (or the found the nudes of GGG those two had and disposed of them). Acosta isn't amazing, but is capable enough to eat minutes here and there at CDM and isn't afraid of playing a physical style. Malik Tillman is an interesting inclusion. An attacking mid...novel idea. He's a young dual-national that dazzled as a striker for Bayern's U19 squad and spurned Germany's NT for hte US. He's moved to CAM and is on loan with Rangers. He's drawn comparisons to Paul Pogba. Lofty comparison, but at least shows the ceiling he has.
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