On Monday Gregg Berhalter announced the 23 players that will represent the USMNT in Denver at the CONCACAF Nations League finals. The list comprised of four players from Major League Soccer and the other 19 scattered across Europe.
Here's the full roster.
USMNT Nations League Roster
Goalkeepers:
Zack Steffen (Manchester City)
Ethan Horvath (Club Brugge)
David Ochoa (Real Salt Lake)
Defenders:
John Brooks (Wolfsburg)
Tim Ream (Fulham)
Matt Miazga (Anderlecht)
Mark McKenzie (Genk)
Sergiño Dest (Barcelona)
DeAndre Yedlin (Galatasaray)
Antonee Robinson (Fulham)
Reggie Cannon (Boavista)
Midfielders:
Weston McKennie (Juventus)
Tyler Adams (RB Leipzig)
Yunus Musah (Valencia)
Kellyn Acosta (Colorado Rapids)
Sebastian Lletget (LA Galaxy)
Jackson Yueill (San Jose Earthquakes)
Forwards:
Christian Pulisic (Chelsea)
Gio Reyna (Borussia Dortmund)
Josh Sargent (Werder Bremen)
Brenden Aaronson (Red Bull Salzburg)
Tim Weah (Lille)
Jordan Siebatcheu (Young Boys)
My first opinion — because I’m sure you’re dying to know what I of all people think — is that this is a solid roster. The squad has a nice mix of seasoned USMNT players and some sprinkles of youth. I’ll fully admit that I have caught myself being biased towards European-based players, so seeing 19 guys from Europe puts a smile on my face.
That being said, Sebastian Lletget and Kellyn Acosta have proven themselves to be consistent choices for Berhalter as of late and bring good experience to the team.
Now on to the surprises.
Five Biggest Surprises Of USMNT Nations League Roster
5. Red Light For Julian Green
I'm all aboard the Green rebirth train. This season Green helped his club SpVgg Greuther Fürth gain promotion to the Bundesliga for the first time in nearly a decade. The Tampa native had one of his best seasons to date. Green was involved in 13 goals across all competitions recording ten goals and three assists.
Green scored on the final day of the season with a goal that saw Fürth secure promotion.
Last week, Julian Green gets his first #USMNT call up under Gregg Berhalter.
Today, scores tying goal for Greuther Fuerth that would send them to the Bundesliga. pic.twitter.com/l22arHLlZc— Stu Holden (@stuholden) May 23, 2021
The crafty midfielder did get the consolation of being called up for the USMNT friendly against Switzerland on Sunday, May 30.
#USMNT in the Swiss Alps is a beautiful thing. pic.twitter.com/oo6ym6OCFz
— U.S. Soccer MNT (@USMNT) May 25, 2021
4. Look At All Those Right Backs
The deep end of the depth pool for the USMNT is at right back. Naturally, Berhalter selected three right backs (four if you count Tyler Adams who has played in the position before). Sergiño Dest, Reggie Cannon and DeAndre Yedlin will all get the chance to know each other. We’ll see if Berhalter chooses to swap Dest and put him at left back again.
Bryan Reynolds, who was loaned to Serie A side Roma this season, received the short end of the stick and didn’t get a call up. Similar to Green, Reynolds will train in the Alps for the Switzerland friendly and not make the trip to the 303.
3. Injured Tyler Adams Makes The Cut
Tyler Adams missed the final three games for RB Leipzig after suffering a back injury. Seeing his name on the 23-man roster is a great sign for the USMNT. Adams’ role at defensive midfield is crucial for the team.
Despite rehabbing an injury, Berhalter says that Adams is too influential to leave off the roster.
Berhalter says Tyler Adams is important enough to team to put on the roster even with injury doubts. They had to submit roster today, but can make injury replacements up until 24 hours before the first game.
— Paul Tenorio (@PaulTenorio) May 24, 2021
2. Return Of DeAndre Yedlin
DeAndre Yedlin must have felt good after receiving the news that he would be back playing in the Stars and Stripes. After a falling out with Newcastle United, the 27-year-old was sent to Galatasaray.
After not playing for the USMNT since Nov. 2019 and suffering a torn ankle ligament in Turkey in April, the future didn’t look promising for Yedlin. Now he has the chance to shine for his national team again. I’m not going to lie, I missed seeing his blistering pace fly down the right sideline.
1. No Daryl Dike
One of the most electric Americans to watch in Europe this season was Daryl Dike. The Oklahoman tore up the English Championship after going on loan from Orlando City to Barnsley.
Dike scored nine goals in 19 league appearances and looked determined to carry Barnsley to the Premier League. His side fell short in the Championship playoffs against Swansea City, and he couldn’t make the impact he hoped for.
He will be present in Switzerland and Berhalter said he looks forward to Dike’s future. Apparently averaging nearly a goal every two games isn’t good enough form.
Berhalter said it was a tough decision with Dike, but that he has a bright future with the USMNT.
Cited good form from Siebatcheu in Swiss League and Sargent's season-long output for Werder Bremen.— Paul Tenorio (@PaulTenorio) May 24, 2021
