The December U.S. men’s national team camp is fast approaching and it’s time to consider the possibilities Gregg Berhalter will look into as he molds his group for the friendly vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina on December 18.
The camp will be mostly MLS-based players, but it will be interesting to see if Berhalter takes a look at someone like Sebastian Saucedo, who plays in Mexico (though UNAM Pumas is still alive in the Liga MX playoffs), or consider European-based players who are also in their domestic league winter breaks like Emmanuel Sabbi.
Berhalter could also leave those players who reach the MLS Cup final out of the camp, which leaves players such as Sean Johnson, James Sands, Leon Flach and Aaron Herrera out of the mix.
Even without those aforementioned players, the December camp should have a good number of new faces to go along with the MLS-based regulars who have been part of the USMNT setup all year.
Here is a look at what the December USMNT squad could look like:
Goalkeepers
Matt Turner, Sean Johnson, Tyler Miller
Turner would be the likely starter against Bosnia, but Johnson’s involvement remains a question since he could wind up reaching the MLS Cup final, which would limit him to a week of camp.
Tyler Miller is coming off a solid season for Minnesota United, and at 28 he’s at a good age to offer some competition to the group.
Missed the Cut – William Yarbrough, J.T. Marcinkowski
Defenders
Miles Robinson, Walker Zimmerman, Kyle Duncan, George Bello, Aaron Herrera, Auston Trusty, James Sands, Henry Kessler, DeJuan Jones
Robinson and Zimmerman could very well be your starting tandem for the next set of World Cup qualifiers, but there are plenty of questions beyond that and this camp should be a good chance to look at some new faces.
DeJuan Jones isn’t naturally left-footed, but he was arguably the best left back in MLS in 2021 and his speed and ability to pass with his left foot should give him an edge over a younger left-footed prospect like Kevin Paredes, who should also be on the USMNT radar.
Auston Trusty makes the cut as a true left-footed centerback, and his growth as a regular starter for the Colorado Rapids should put him on Berhalter’s radar. The 23-year-old has a way to go to challenge the European-based central defender options, but as a younger MLS central defender, Trusty is one to watch.
Missed the Cut – Kevin Paredes, Mauricio Pineda, Donovan Pines, Keegan Rosenberry
Midfielders
Sebastian Lletget, Kellyn Acosta, Cristian Roldan, Djordje Mihailovic, Matt Polster, Leon Flach
The Lletget-Acosta-Roldan trio is a safe bet to be set in stone as key figures in this camp, but there should be some new faces in the mix, with Mihailovic earning a look after his breakout season with CF Montreal.
Polster is a very interesting prospect because of the need for more defensive midfield options and the growth Polster showed under Bruce Arena in 2021. He is also someone who could play in the right back/defensive midfielder hybrid role that Berhalter has tried in the past.
Flach is another interesting deep-lying midfield prospect, who could earn a look if Berhalter doesn’t decide to bring back a familiar face in Jackson Yueill.
Sebastian Saucedo could absolutely earn a look if Pumas isn’t still in the playoffs (and allowed him to play, which is permission he would need since the December camp and friendly aren’t in an official FIFA window.
Missed the Cut – Cole Bassett, Sebastian Saucedo, Jackson Yueill
Forwards
Ricardo Pepi, Daryl Dike, Paul Arriola, Jesus Ferreira, Cade Cowell, Emmanuel Sabbi
Dike was outstanding in the final months of the MLS season, and deserves a look, and with him and Pepi in the mix, Berhalter can focus his attention on trying to find viable wing options.
Sabbi is an intriguing one, as he has the versatility to play anywhere across the front three in the attack, though Odense would have to release him for the camp, which wouldn’t be a given.
Gyasi Zardes missed the end of the MLS regular season, and even if he’s recovered from the MCL sprain he suffered on October 22, Berhalter could choose to let him rest, or come in and train without actually taking part in the friendly.
What MLS is light on is fresh winger prospects, with Jonathan Lewis someone Berhalter has brought in on multiple occasions. Brooks Lennon is another interesting wing option to consider, as is Rubio Rubin, who can play anywhere along the front three in the USMNT’s 4-3-3 system.
Missed the Cut – Gyasi Zardes, Rubio Rubin, Jonathan Lewis, Brooks Lennon
What do you think of this projected squad? Who are you happy to see included? Who is missing that you feel should have made the list?
Share your thoughts below.
I get that this is a non FIFA date and therefore only players who are basically out of season would be available, but this roster is underwhelming at many positions.
1) Outside back is just depressing. Hopefully Gregg can negotiate the release of at least 1 young Euro player, like Reynolds, who isn’t in their clubs current plans.
2) Midfield is comprised of 3 known players (who’ve failed in WCQ) and 3 newer faces. I don’t get keeping Lletget & Roldan involved…so am hoping we can maybe get one of the Senora brothers a look instead of 1 of these guys.
3) Drop Arriola (known retread) and replace him with Saucedo or some other attacker.
If the above really is the squad for the friendly I expect the game will be ugly and depressing to watch
Lletget, Roldan, and Acosta haven’t been great in WCQ and they are known quantities, so I hope Gregg will be a bit more creative in the options he looks at for depth in midfield. I like bringing in Djordje and as others have mentioned, Pomykal should be there because he brings that extra something that Roldan and Lletget do not. I also think Parades should be brought in, along with the South American crew if possible. It is past time to look for new options, and this is the time at least get started.
Oh, Bassett deserves a look too, unless he has a move to Europe lined up for the winter window and is already heading that way. He had a very solid season and should be rewarded.
Jordan Morris? Is he in shape? Form coming back? Brought in for experience?
He started in their game vs. RSL. Seems like he should at least be called in. Good catch.
The midfield that is predicted here… woof
Caden Clark Was amid it because he will be in Germany correct?
Parades was brought into a recent camp as an extra/practice player not on the roster for games. Be interesting to see if his showing then helps or hurts his chances of getting called up for December. He plays a role at DCU that isn’t really in GB’s scheme for the USMNT. His attacking quality is great, but he’d almost have to slot in as a left sides forward in a front 3, since the USMNT midfield rarely plays with true wide/wing mids, and I don’t think he quite has the defensive chops or physical solidity to play as a left back in a 4 man back line. It’s very “young DeAndre Yedlin”, lots of attacking upside, but can he defend enough to play as a fullback?
Two players not mentioned are Chris Mueller, a winger who is not moving to Scotland until January and Pomykal a solid attacking midfielder would offer a welcome change to the usual suspects.
Hibs fans were tweeting that Mueller arrived today. He just can’t play official matches until January.
I don’t see how Polmykal isn’t called in, he needs to be bc the upside is tremendous, same with Paredes from DC United. I’m hearing Greg wants Paredes, Jonathan Gomez and possibly one of the Sonora brothers from the Argentine League to be called in as well, but it all boils down to one of if they will be released or will accept a call up
So many options! Makes me feel that it would have been awesome to be able to play 2 games as opposed to just 1 at the end of this camp