Gregg Berhalter heads into a busy June knowing he has to balance the continued development of the U.S. men’s national team’s nucleus while also take a closer look at some emerging new options and the roster he is calling up for the USMNT’s upcoming matches strikes that balance.
Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie lead a 27-player squad for the upcoming friendlies and Concacaf Nations League matches in June, and while the group features most of the team’s established regulars, there are some new faces joining the mix.
McKennie returns after being sidelined since February with a broken foot suffered while playing for Juventus. The star midfielder missed the USMNT’s March qualifiers, but has returned to training with the Serie A giants and will be available for the USMNT matches in June.
German-American forward/midfielder Malik Tillman is the lone player being called into his first USMNT camp, and the Bayern Munich youngster joins the group after filing a Change of Association and choosing to represent the United States rather than Germany, which he had recently represented on the U-19 level.
Tillman’s Change of Association application is still being processed, and he won’t be able to play in an official match until the final approval on the change is granted by FIFA.
Haji Wright, Cameron Carter-Vickers and Joe Scally are in the squad after impressive club seasons. All three have taken part in past camps during Berhalter’s time with the USMNT, but the June matches will serve as a prime opportunity for all three to boost their stock in the race for World Cup roster spots.
Among the biggest names missing from the mix are Gio Reyna and Sergiño Dest, who are both coming off injury-hit seasons, and Ricardo Pepi, who has concluded a disappointing first season with Bundesliga side Augsburg that finished with the former FC Dallas striker failing to register a goal.
The injury bug hit the USMNT player pool hard toward the end of the European season, with Jordan Pefok, Chris Richards and Josh Sargent among those still recovering from injuries.
Other players who didn’t make the cut include John Brooks and Gianluca Busio.
The USMNT will return to action on June 1 with a friendly against Morocco at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati before taking on Uruguay on June 5 at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kansas. The USMNT then kicks off defense of its Concacaf Nations League title on June 10 with a home match against Grenada in Austin, Texas before going to Central America to take on El Salvador on June 14.
Here is the full 27-player squad for the USMNT friendlies and Concacaf Nations League matches:
USMNT roster for June matches
GOALKEEPERS: Ethan Horvath (Nottingham Forest/ENG; 7/0), Zack Steffen (Manchester City/ENG; 29/0), Matt Turner (New England Revolution; 16/0)
DEFENDERS: George Bello (Arminia Bielefeld/GER; 6/0), Reggie Cannon (Boavista/POR; 24/1), Cameron Carter-Vickers (Celtic/SCO; 8/0), Aaron Long (New York Red Bulls; 23/3), Erik Palmer-Brown (Troyes/FRA; 3/0), Antonee Robinson (Fulham/ENG; 25/2), Joe Scally (Borussia Mönchengladbach/GER; 0/0), DeAndre Yedlin (Inter Miami; 73/0), Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC; 28/3)
MIDFIELDERS: Kellyn Acosta (LAFC; 51/2), Tyler Adams (RB Leipzig/GER; 27/1), Luca de la Torre (Heracles/NED; 7/0), Weston McKennie (Juventus/ITA; 31/9), Djordje Mihailovic (CF Montreal/CAN; 6/1), Yunus Musah (Valencia/ESP; 16/0), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders; 31/0), Malik Tillman (Bayern Munich/GER; 0/0)
FORWARDS: Brenden Aaronson (Red Bull Salzburg/AUT; 18/5), Paul Arriola (FC Dallas; 44/9), Jesús Ferreira (FC Dallas; 9/3), Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders; 46/10), Christian Pulisic (Chelsea/ENG; 48/21), Tim Weah (Lille/FRA; 22/2), Haji Wright (Antalyaspor/TUR; 0/0)
The USA needs goals. Aaronson has scored 5 in 18 games while Weah has scored 2 in 25 for the US. While I think their time is past for the US, both Ariola and Morris have scored at rates slightly below Aaronson at about 1 in 4 games. Yet everyone seems to be in love with Weah. Is his assist rate that much higher that his rate of less than 1 in 12 is forgiven?
I agree it is fun to watch Weah dribble, but it is balls in the net that counts in the end. Weah’s defense is no better than Aaronson.
It’s always been about potential with Weah. When is he going to really put it together? Well, I think he’s on the cusp right now. The last several games for Lille he was their best attacking player. He wasn’t scoring goals or assisting yet until the last 2 but he was leading his team in chances created. When you are playing that well, the assists and goals will come, as evidenced by his last 2 games. He may not be a started if Reyna is available, but he’s a great option off the bench and for depth.
Both Aaronson and Weah had 2g 1a in qualifying (I’m counting the one against CR which was officially an own goal). I think a lot of it is recency as Aaronson missed the last window with injury. Physicality probably has something with it too Weah isn’t going to get knocked off the ball. Having your dad being a former Ballon d’or winner doesn’t hurt your reputation either.
Argh. I don’t like what you did there, JR. You can’t count goals that aren’t scored as goals. One could just as easily say that there is no way that Navas (who was removed at halftime) gets beat near post like that. Beyond that, it’s a correctly scored own goal. Luck giveth and luck taketh away, but it’s not a Weah goal. Doesn’t make the box score.
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Beyond that, I do like Weah, and he is a guy I want to see start based on actual competitive performances in a US shirt. But the point is valid. His statistical production is always politely ignored by US fans. He’s got a little bit of a Lukas Podolski thing going.
JR – here are some stats on goals, assists, and my completely subjective inclusion of created goal for people I think contributed significantly to a goal beyond assist (g, a, c):
Pulisic: 5-0-2 (2 pk)
Pepi: 3-2-1
Aaronson: 2-1-0
Weah: 1-1-2
Acosta: 0-2-2
LDT: 0-0-4
ARob: 2-3-1
Weah was our best attacking player in the first half of WCQ, his speed stretches defenses like no one else except CP but Weah can make that corner flag run instead of always cutting in, really no one else we have does that consistently. He has given Mexico fits every time we played them recently, he is a big part of why we have been better than them over the last year. I’ve always felt he tracks back to defend pretty well. He scored a huge goal that he didn’t get credit for in the WCQ in Columbus (can’t remember opponent right now), it was deflected off the keeper and counted as an own goal, but I am telling you that play was all him and he deserved credit.
Jordan Morris – LW/RW/CF
Nothing against Morris. He is a hard worker and good team player for Seattle but Why is he being called up as a forward in this 27 man roster? What attributes does he bring forth to the table that makes him a valuable asset to this team. Key passes? Goals? Assists? When was the last time anyone saw Morris go balls out or had an advantage on a defender because of his speed. Not since coming back from his unfortunate injury.
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Pulisic plays the left-wing, Brenden Aaronson played left-wing for the USMNT during qualifying……so why is Morris taking up space for actual STRIKERS like Brandon Vasquez or Jeremy Ebobisse? With an opportunity to showcase, evaluate and assess the talent and abilities of two point strikers doing very well in MLS, I think GB dropped the ball on this one, as at the end of the day, the objective of the game is to put the ball in the back of the net…..and there are few players up top from this selection that can do that against top opposition
-Morris started slow after last injury then was our best finisher by the end of the year. That’s earned him an extended look.
-Ebobisse and Vazquez might be too late to the party. Neither had a good season last year (Vazquez has never had a good season prior). As I said last week they’re going to have to continue scoring at this rate to get even a look in September. Wright has had double digits in Denmark and Turkey the last two seasons.
-Gregg hinted some regulars will leave early. I’d think Pulisic is unlikely to travel to El Salvador. The CCL winner Morris an option for that game, 4g 4a in 2019 NL group stage (coming off knee injury that year too).
-I’m rooting for Ebobisse and Vazquez, but it might be for 2026 not Qatar.
“Morris started slow after last injury then was our best finisher by the end of the year. ” – Absolutely false. When was the last time he even started for the USMNT? Honduras game?
2019——–14 appearances——5 goals
2021——–1 appearance———-0 goals
2022——–6 appearances——–0 goals
(Zardes has better stats than that……..where is he?)
How many goals or assists does he have for Seattle?
Roldan – 2 goals 3 assists in 10 gams
Morris – 2 goals 2 assists in 8 games
(Vasquez – 7 goals 2 assists in 12 games)
(Ebobisse – 7 goals 1 assist in 12 games)
Our best finisher……against who??
“Ebobisse and Vazquez might be too late”…how can you be late….. like what you did last year or the year before should automatically get you in. Then in that case how about we call in Zardes and Lletget! Or better yet why is Malik Tillman in the line-up?? It should be all about the CURRENT in form players, especially in a position where we are seriously lacking.
Wow!! There’s my old friend Bizzy! Relax. Morris was our best scorer during NL after starting slowing in 2019, scoring 5 goals in the last 5 matches of the year.
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At this point CP, Gio, Weah, and Reyna are locks if healthy. I feel like Arriola would be #5, so as the 6th wing Berhalter isn’t looking for Morris to start he’s looking for someone who can come in on short notice with a history of scoring. Morris has 3 seasons counting playoffs with double digit goals. He’s got 5 g in 16 if you count CCL, a goal every 3 is pretty good for a wing. Morris is auditioning for an alternate spot or someone to play 15 minutes or less over the course of the tournament.
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Morris isn’t taking a roster spot from Ebobisse or Vazquez either Gregg could have brought more forwards he just chose to get more extended looks at Haji and Ferreira.
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I get the current argument but that would also have excluded Adams, Weah, and Musah during qualifying.
Two things from Berhalter’s presser. He said that Vazquez was very close. He also specifically talked about only bringing two #9s. So Gregg clearly wants extended looks at Ferreira and Wright who are on great current form.
“Morris started slow after last injury then was our best finisher by the end of the year. ”
Johnnyrazor, you were not specific to only NL and that shouldn’t give him any advantage making the national team…none. Jordan Morris has never been the BEST at anything in regards to American players in MLS OR USMNT players
I’m sorry but it still doesn’t add up
GB rarely plays Pulisic and Aaronson at the same time and both played left-winger for the NT, so he has options on that side of the field…..which means we do not need a 3rd left winger selected as a Forward at a time when we do not even have a solid striker tested yet in camp.
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If GB was truly looking for “versatility” why not Gyasi then (CF /RW /LW)?
Ebobisse and Vazquez needed to be tested and evaluated in this camp as we have no point strikers up top on this team with less than 6 full months to go
Oh, and by the way I am relaxed…….wwhhooosssaaahhh, lol
Bizzy: I think Berhalter does not view Morris as a CF, nor does he view Ebobisse as a W. Wingers are always listed as forwards under Berhalter not midfielders (Arriola, Pulisic, Aaronson). I think Berhalter is solid on Pepi as long as Pepi finds minutes and I think he knows what Pefok can bring (plus injured), this window is all about Jesus Ferreira and Haji Wright. He knows he’s got Sargent and Dike as well if need be. He said with Vazquez there’s still September. I don’t believe that he mentioned Ebobisse but that’s just piecing together from reports I didn’t watch myself. I’m not saying that I particularly agree, I’m just saying that appears to be the thinking.
Only bummed that Shaq Moore didn’t get called (unless he’s hurt). He came in and played big minutes under fire, and did a good job in the last round. Feel like he could’ve been rewarded with another camp. Thought it would’ve been deserved. I know right back is pretty set between Dest, Yedlin, and Cannon but Moore hasn’t done badly.
Moore may be capable of contributing against CONCACAF opponents but I don’t think he’s capable of helping when the level of competition is raised. Based on league level, minutes played, and games started Moore is probably the 5th RB in our current player pool. Since this is one of the last camps before the WC Gregg is trying to finalize some of his player selections. Yedlin brings experience as one of the few players in the US Pool to actually have been to a WC. Dest & Scally provide versatility able to play RB & LB. Cannon is one of Gregg’s guys.
Dest (21) = Spain 1st Division, 21 gp, 17 starts, 1515 minutes played
Scally (19) = Bund 1st Division, 30 gp, 20 starts, 1903 minutes played
Cannon (23) = Portugal 1st Division, 21 gp, 20 starts, 1718 minutes played
Yedlin (28) = MLS
Moore (25) = LaLiga 2nd Division, 22 gp, 9 starts, 917 minutes played
As the 2nd oldest of the 5 he’s likely never going to be anything but a USMNT B-Team player….and even that is likely to be short lived as the next generation of players develops.
Is there any thought of trying Weah at striker?
He occasionally plays up to for Lille, has good pace and makes runs in behind for the ‘verticality’ Berhalter likes and our other striker options are a bit poo. This would allow us to get one more of the Weah, Gio, Aaronson group onto the field at the same time too. He is not perfect for that role, but at this point I think we’re at the stage of ‘least bad option.’ This solution gets as much talent on the field as possible.
I think Gregg has mentioned it as an option in the past. The cycle transitioned from needed depth to cover 3 match windows to keeping your best 11 on the field as much as possible so perhaps it will happen if no striker steps up. I think we’re more likely to see it in September than now.
Kind of tempting but to me anyhow- Weah at the 9 feels more like a situational option that a permanent solution to our issues at striker. Robbing Peter to pay Paul- breaking something that definitely works- for something that may kinda sorta work. Weah is clearly our best RW . Tillman however- may do just what you describe as a 9 as well as some other things better at that position. Jesus F has had a lot more games there and could be more attuned- look better there than before. His finishing certainly looks to have improved as well as his aggression making runs in behind.
I like what Weah has done at RW but not sure he is clearly our best at that position as you say. Gio is probably the most talented and Aaronson has been excellent when he has played there too. To me there is a good argument to be made for any of the 3 to be the starter at RW which is why the bump Weah to striker idea has a lot of merit.
Totally get your point, and agree to an extent- just think we look best as a team w/ Weak at RW. Reyna is likely our most talented player with the highest ceiling. My bias is- I just don’t see him as a winger- more a CM. Even when in the line-up as a wing- he spends much more time in the middle where his distribution is best utilized. So- I’m not speaking pure talent but too- that Weah is really the only classic style wing/player who stretches teams to the touchline, pulls defenses out wide- puts in a cross. This is critical to me because w/ GBs tactics and the fact that from FB to F’s, every other player loves to tuck inside. All too often we have everyone trying to occupy the same space. Very easy to defend.
Weah’s goal production is about 1/3 that of the other forwards. I want a forward who actually scores goals.
I understand calling up Malik Tillman if you are looking ro play him as a striker. I haven’t personally ever seen him play. Yes there are really good reviews verbally about the kid, but why now? There is talk about him going out on loan this uo coming season but what position will he play at for the team he is loaned to? He just was recently moved to striker this past year. He has primarily played Asa CM or CAM for most of his youth career. Still a little disappointed Alan Sonora hasn’t been called in. And I do like he called up Scally.
They tried to get Sonora in in January but his club wouldn’t release him. Not sure it factored in but I believe the Argentine league starts in two weeks so maybe they didn’t want to pull him out for the first two weeks of season even though it would have been within their right it being an international window.
A little shocked/disappointed to see that Gregg decided to only call up 4 CB’s, especially if he was going to experiment with a 3 in the back formation. I would have preferred to see at least 1 more CB called.
Happy to see Scally get a call-up. He may not be a starter, but he had a good season in Germany and deserves a real opportunity. His ability to play on either side of the field makes him a great depth option for tournament play.
Midfield is exactly what I expected to see, even if I wish Gregg would move on from Roldan. I’m hoping Malik will be able to step in and contribute….not going to set expectations….but he’s got to be more effective than Roldan’s been.
The forwards are as expected. I really hope that Sargent & Pepi will get into form as I still believe they are the most talented of our CFs in our pool. If Malik can fill-in at times…great.
I don’t have any problems with Tillman being included, however did he have a good season?
Bundesliga: 4 matches 0g 0a
CL: 2 matches 0g 0a
G. Cup: 1 match 1g 0a (vs 5th Div.)
4th Div. Regionalia: 15 matches 4g 4a
I personally don’t think, nor did I infer, that Tillman had a good season. However I am willing to take a flyer on him this window in the hopes he can add something creative or clinical to our attack in the final 3rd as either a CM or CF. Malik has potential, but we have to temper expectations. In this window I’m just hoping he’ll get some minutes and build some chemistry with some of the Core Players.
I honestly believe even right now he’s an upgrade to Roldan….so if he does make the roster I see it as an improvement through subtraction (hoping Roldan doesn’t see the field).
I think I may have scrolled to fast and misread your comment. It will be interesting to see if his paperwork even comes through in time and then where will he play. He generally has played as a SS or as a 10. Roles Berhalter hasn’t used since his days in Columbus with Higuain.
Malik in my opinion was brought in to play striker. Not as a CM
I think if we go back and re-read the article, there is something in there about him not playing this window, because he is not yet eligible. This is Tillman, I’m
Talking about. I don’t know, what do you guys think?
Cannon has been playing as a RCB in a 3 man backline, so perhaps that’s a possibility.
It certainly seems so considering GB has spoken of trying a 3 man backline and only brought 3 CBs.
Carter Vickers, Palmer Brown, Zimmerman, Long
Other than Brooks being omitted I think this is the player pool to expect going forward. I like ledezma but he just ain’t getting enough mins. Other than the injured and rested guys it pretty clear it’s about a 40 player pool
– It appears Long, CCV and EPB are fighting for the CB spot vacated by M Robinson injury – all good choices. It seems the door for Brooks is shut. Sands is on the outside looking in. I still think it’ll be Richards starting next to Zimmerman in the WC, but no one is guaranteed a starting spot.
– Good to see Scally get his opportunity. The June window is the time for him to impress.
– Mihailovic has earned this call up. Hoping he impresses.
– Busio has be disappointed, but the other MF have been better this year.
– Tillman might be a catch. Serious upside.
– Pepi just needs a break..recharge the batteries. Still think Pepi and Dike make a case for a spot in the fall.
I think Pefok is injured.
Happy to see Scally, Djorgie, and Tillman. Other than 9, I think midfield has the biggest drop off behind McKennie and Musah is pretty inconsistent and seems to lack stamina so I think this is where we could see the biggest upgrade. I know GGG talks of Tillman as a 9 but he can play midfield as well I think. Wish Alan Sonora was included. Heard Ledezma rejected call up (couldnt find any confirmation on this though with a only a little effort). I am still not giving up that GGG will get rid of the high back line and Brooks will fit in with Qatar tactics.
When you talk about midfield drop off, don’t you call Tyler Adams as a midfielder? Do you mean only playmaking midfielders? While Adams is a defensive midfielder, he has often showed great passing ability. While I think it wouldn’t hurt to bring in another play mking type, with Adams and the others I think we are okay in midfield.
Gary – I meant at the 8. I actually think the drop off from Adams to Acosta is less than even McKennie to Musah. Unpopular as that opinion probably is, Acosta has played mostly as an 8 with Yueill and Lletget. If he plays the 6 with McKennie and Musah or someone else who can step in, I think he will look pretty good. I am not sold on LDT but the sample size is pretty small so having Djorgie and Tillman that I think are both able to play 8 creates competition amd an oppprtunity for a better roster. While I am not agaimst Roldan, I would like tonsee someone I think is better. I dont put Busio in that category or really anyone else we have seen other than Musah and LDT who I rate considerably lower than McKennie.
Morris has been pretty disapointing since his return from injury. Pefok continues to score goals. O don’t understand the calculus that calls Morris in and not Pefok, especially with the lack of a dominate forward.
I think Pefok is injured.
Pefok is injured. GGG also may not rate him anymore, after the Mexico miss. I think Brooks should be there too… But when you’re out, you’re out. I wouldn’t expect either brooks or pefok going forward
The reasons for “no Pefok” look like they’re called Malik Tillman and Haji Wright…add in the fact that Ferreira is knocking in goals for fun in MLS right now and that’s three ahead of him.
Pefok’s had his chances, in big, big games…and frankly he didn’t capitalize on them, IMHO. That miss against Mexico was bad…to me what was worse was the way he blew up that dribble Gio made against the whole Mexican team because Pefok ran right at him like a U-6 who wanted the ball instead of opening up and drawing the defender who ended up poking the ball away. His utter lack of intelligent movement totally gummed up the space Gio could have scored in. I was pretty much done with Pefok right there and from the looks of things Gregg feels similarly.
Pefok missed last match listed as injured no idea if that has anything to do with it or not. Also Morris doesn’t play CF anymore so his inclusion doesn’t effect Pefok who isn’t a wing.