What do we know from what we have learned about USMNT This month?
After playing four times within 14 days, it was quite. The opening two games against the fellow World Cup entrants Morocco and Uruguay provided the Americans an excellent glimpse of the kind of competition they'll face later in the season in Qatar.
The two games, CONCACAF Nations League contests against Grenada as well as El Salvador, were useful in different ways, mostly as mental tests , particularly Tuesday's rainy, come-from-behind 1-1 tie at San Salvador.
"I think it's a good takeaway and a good end to the June camp, and [it] really brought the guys together in a good way," U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter said afterward. "This is what builds teams."
Team building is the thing that this month was all about. It was an opportunity to spend time as a team and the final one prior to the major occasion. Berhalter and his team are left with two more tune-ups (in September against two of Qatar-bound teams that will be confirmed) prior to facing Wales on November. 21st, the first date for the World Cup 2022 Live.
The September games are about fine-tuning specifics. The four games of June were more about experimentationmostly with tactics (Berhalter played a few different formations) however, the main focus was on players.
With many players on rosters for Qatar injured This month offered an opportunity for other players to shine. A few took advantage of the chance. Others didn't.
Let's take a dive and have a look. an overview.
Jesus Ferreira is still the United States' top striker.
You've heard it before and it's true: tiny Ferreira isn't the typical center forward. It's also the case that Ferreira is the MLS goals leader leaves the camp just as he entered it for being the most trustworthy and steady striker that the USMNT are able to.
This could be a sign of Berhalter's lack of options more than any other thing. Outside of CONCACAF Ferreira is unknown at the international level. He missed chances to score against Morocco, Uruguay and Grenada before exploding with four goals against Grenada.
The chances of scoring in World Cups are rare. When opportunities present themselves the chances must be transformed.
There's still time for a faster foot to beat Ferreira prior to Qatar. Daryl Dike, Jordan Pefok, Ricardo Pepi, Josh Sargent and Haji Wright are all set to enter the European season hoping that a run of hotness can bring them back in the game just before the tournament.
It's also possible Berhalter is able to move a winger, like Tim Weah up top or employs the term "false nine" -- with no striker in particular. However, based on what Berhalter's coach has said this doesn't sound like a possibility. For the time being Ferreira's place to be sacked.
A rough couple of months for Haji Wright
There was a lot of optimism for Wright when he arrived at camp. Wright was from a scoring spree in the extremely competitive Turkish league. Also, as an former U.S. youth international who played alongside Christian Pulisic and several other regulars, he fitted as a glove within the dressing room.
Wright scored from the bench in the 3-0 victory against Morocco but did little other than take the penalty kick in just three games during the month. The big chance came when he got an opportunity to start on the previous day, however he did not get it. Wright was dismissed after the half-time break.
"We're all rooting for Haji," Berhalter declared. "We purposely played more direct in the first half because we thought he could be the force that would unsettle them. It just wasn't his night."
It's important to feel for Wright Two days of rain left the pitch at El Salvador unplayable, and Wright missed his only glimpse of goal. But a positive beginning to the season could give Wright another shot in September.
"It doesn't rule him out for anything in the future," Berhalter stated. "It's about him going back to his club and then continue to score goals and do his thing. But it was an unlucky night for him tonight, for sure."
Brenden Aaronson is a good choice for the middle
It's been evident for a while that USMNT require more innovation in the middle. the prospect of seeing Aaronson playing a role in the playmaking department was one of the most interesting developments of the month. The winger was deployed on the wing for World Cup qualifying, the English Premier League live wire began in the midfield on Tuesday and then against Morocco. He also replaced Luca de la Torre at halftime against Grenada.
Aaronson was a good performer. His energy, versatility and shrewd defending gives Berhalter the chance to add some offensive power to a three-man midfield, which has mainly consisted of "MMA" trio of Weston McKennie, Yunus Musah and Tyler Adams.
The removal of any player off the field isn't straightforward. However, injuries, suspensions and the need to make adjustments in response to specific opponents or matchups occur. We now have a better understanding of who the coach is likely to look to for midfield assistance if they need to.
Paul Arriola, Jordan Morris increase their popularity
The likes of Aaronson, Pulisic, Weah and injury-stricken Giovanni Reyna all in the team on the wings and all of them World Cup bound if fit, there aren't a lot of available spots for the top players in the field in the back. So it was essential to the two of them Arriola as well as Morris to enjoy a successful month. And they did.
Arriola played his typical fierce self during the 45 minutes he played against Uruguay. The Uruguayan made a score in the Grenada victory. The severe red card he was given during the game in San Salvador isn't likely to be a cause for concern.
However, Morris overcame a slow beginning to the monthMorris didn't even play one minute in the initial 2 games when he scored the goal that was the last to equalize on Thursday.
This goal is likely to make an indelible impression. An ex-striker, Morris can finish inside the box. Morris is also a formidable defensive player and has an athletic profile that lines with the tough-tackling English as well as Welsh fullbacks that the U.S. will face in Qatar.
Aaron Long is Miles Robinson's replacement (for right now)
The first question to be asked in the training camp was about who could take over the place of injured centerback Miles Robinson. The answer was Aaron Long. While Cameron Carter-Vickers as well as Erik Palmer-Brown only saw spots, Long was the lone U.S. player to start the entire month of June with all four games. In the event that there was a chance that the World Cup began tomorrow, Long would be on Berhalter's squad along with Walker Zimmerman.
However, this World Cup doesn't start tomorrow. Long was able to endure a couple of uneasy moments in the match against Morocco as well as Uruguay. As with Ferreira however, he's not regularly played against top players. Therefore, the door is open for highly-regarded Bayern Munich prospect Chris Richards who has missed the month due to an injury but who Berhalter was confident enough to allow him to play four times in qualifying to take over and win the position.
At the right back, there's no reason to believe that Reggie Cannon and DeAndre Yedlin aren't in the shadow of Sergino Dest. However, both could make it onto the World Cup roster if Berhalter persists in focusing on Dest as the primary backup to George Bello on the left. Joe Scally, still just 19 years old, probably didn't perform enough in his two initial USMNT appearances to surpass one of them.
Sean Johnson makes the most of his opportunity
In the absence of Zack Steffen out this month due to personal reasons, Matt Turner played two of the four games with goal. Sean Johnson and Ethan Horvath fighting to take the final goalie position in Qatar split the rest of the players.
Johnson was a surprise starter in the match against Uruguay The veteran was brought into the squad after Steffen was withdrawn -He was a star. Johnson smashed Liverpool's $100 million striker Darwin Nunez, in the second half, to ensure the scoreless record for La Celeste. Johnson definitely benefited from his performance.
The following day, Horvath committed an error in positioning that cost him his team during the game in El Salvador that resulted in an goal. It is important to feel for the player. The conditions were shockingly poor and every goalkeeper has the potential to make mistakes. But, it is part of the decision-making process when Berhalter selects his team.
There's still time for to surprise the keeper however. Although Horvath, Steffen and Turner are all predicted as understudies for the Premier League next year, they're just one injury from a run of regular playing time that could lead them to the U.S. in November.
