Most choices have long been near certainty, and some were foreseen by recent calls. But there is one big surprise. Zach Steffen, who was Berhalter’s first-choice goalkeeper for most of his tenure, did not qualify.
“Zach has been by my side many times and it’s heartbreaking for him to tell him he won’t be part of the World Cup team,” said Berhalter, who coached Stephen with the Columbus Crew in MLS in the 2017-18 season. “It’s about who we have and the level of comfort we have with the players on the roster. We felt very comfortable on the mat.” [Turner] and Ethan [Horvath] and Sean [Johnson]And that’s the direction we decided to go. ”
A former University of Maryland star who now plays in the English Second Division at Middlesbrough, Steffen started six of the 14 World Cup qualifying games, but was forced to miss multiple camps due to illness and injury. Missed. He has started 16 of Middlesbrough’s 20 league games this season and is in near good health.
Berhalter declined to provide details about the factors that led to the decision.
Steffen considered competing with Premier League club Arsenal backup Turner for the starting job in Qatar. With Steffen out, it seems almost certain that Turner will be the star, but he has a minor injury and hasn’t played since October 20.
“Readable [Steffen’s absence] And say Matt is most likely to be first in the World Cup,” said Verhalter.
For 30 years, the goalie job has been pretty clear, featuring Tony Meola, Brad Friedel, Casey Keller, Tim Howard, and more. Steffen was a natural successor to Howard, who starred in the 2014 World Cup.
“Zach was an integral part of the group,” said defender DeAndre Yedlin, the only roster member with World Cup experience. is a business, it’s a sport, so we move on.”
Other notable absences included midfielder Malik Tillman, winger Paul Arriola and strikers Ricardo Pepi and Jordan Pefok.
The list comes hours before the nine MLS players and coaching staff are due to fly to Doha to reunite with the 17 European-based compatriots over the weekend.
Christian Pulisic, Weston McKechnie and Tyler Adams will headline the squad, which will face Wales in Group B on 21 November, followed by England and Iran.
Featuring Gio Reyna, Yunus Musah and Brenden Aaronson. Tim Weah, Walker Zimmerman, Antonee Robinson and Sergiño Dest are also on board.
“Sure, it feels real now,” Adams said.
There was an unexpected conspiracy. Tim Reem, his 35-year-old centre-back for Fulham in the Premier League, made his name on this list despite not having been called up once since last fall.
“He’s playing in the best league in the world and playing at a very high level,” said Verhalter. His decision is “not a difficult one.”
Luca de la Torre, who provides depth at central midfielder, made the cut despite a leg injury that would have kept him out until the opening game. McKechnie and Dest are nursing injuries that weren’t deemed serious enough to justify roster omissions.
With the Europa League playing out this weekend before pausing for the World Cup, Berhalter is not out of the woods on the injury front. It must be formally submitted to the institution FIFA.In addition, roster changes due to injuries are allowed 24 hours before the opener.
Jordan Morris beat Ariola deep in the flank and Christian Roldan nodded to Tillman. His Berhalter, who has always focused on team chemistry, has referred to some players as “glue guys”.
Zimmermann said: We use this word a lot, but we don’t use it lightly. There are people who certainly fit in providing a lot of intangibles that people might not see every day, but they are a big part of our success. It’s one of our strengths and it’s something we can control. ”
The World Cup striker’s crew, which has been volatile for most of four years, hasn’t been in solid form until the last few months. The 21-year-old Jesús Ferreira has been a constant fixture in the player pool and 22-year-old Josh his sergeant has secured his place this season with a resurgence at Norwich City in England.
Pepi also believes he got the call amid a strong campaign in the Netherlands, with Pefok playing regularly for Bundesliga club Union Berlin. But Barhalter chose Turkey-based striker Haji Wright this fall. Pefok production has slowed recently.
“If we had made the decision in mid-September,” Berhalter said.[Pefok] It was probably rock.
With an average age of 25.5, the US team is expected to have one of the youngest, if not the youngest, roster in a field of 32 teams. Horvath, Johnson, Wright and defenders Cameron Carter-Vickers and Joe Scully did not qualify.
“This is a great opportunity for us,” said Berhalter. “It’s a great opportunity for everyone, young players and veteran players alike. I hope we’re ready to take advantage of it when we get there. It all starts now.”
goalie: Ethan Horvath (Luton Town), Sean Johnson (New York City FC), Matt Turner (Arsenal)
advocate: Cameron Carter-Vickers (Celtic), Serginho Dest (AC Milan), Aaron Long (New York Red Bulls), Shaq Moore (Nashville SC), Tim Ream (Fulham), Anthony Robinson (Fulham) , Joe Scully (Borussia Mönchengladbach) , DeAndre Yedlin (Inter Miami), Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC).
midfielder: Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United), Kerrin Acosta (Los Angeles FC), Tyler Adams (Leeds United), Luca de la Torre (Celta Vigo), Weston McKechnie (Juventus), Yunus Musser (Valencia), Christian Roldan (Seattle Sounders).
forward: Jesús Ferreira (FC Dallas), Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders), Christian Pulisic (Chelsea), Gio Reina (Borussia Dortmund), Josh Sargent (Norwich City), Tim Ware (Lille), Haji Wright (Antalyaspor)
