United States Men’s National Team boss Gregg Berhalter has announced his 26-man squad for the 2022 Qatar World Cup. But what is the USMNT’s best XI including Christian Pulisic?
The USA return to the FIFA tournament in 2022 after failing to qualify for the 2018 edition in Russia. It marked the first World Cup that the USMNT sat out since the 1986 edition held in Mexico. They had also made the Round of 16 during South Africa 2010 and Brazil 2014.
A 1-1 draw with England opened the USMNT’s World Cup in South Africa and they will face the Three Lions again in Qatar. Berhalter’s squad take on Gareth Southgate’s in Group B on November 25 in between matches against Wales (November 21) and Iran (November 29).
Berhalter announces the 26-man USMNT squad for the Qatar World Cup
Berhalter has now announced his 26-man squad that will represent the USMNT in Qatar at the 2022 World Cup. He has named 25 players who have not previously featured at a FIFA finals in his ranks. Only DeAndre Yedlin also played under Jurgen Klinsmann at Brazil 2014.
Among the 26 players making the trip to Qatar, Berhalter is taking three goalkeepers in his World Cup squad. He has also called nine defenders, seven midfielders and seven forwards up for the tournament. It is also the USMNT’s second-youngest squad at a World Cup yet.
Berhalter is taking the second-youngest USMNT squad to a World Cup in 2022
When the USMNT start their World Cup in Qatar against Wales, Berhalter’s squad will have an average age of 25 years and 175 days. Only Bob Gansler’s Italia 90 side had a younger average age at 24 years and 24 days. So, who has made the cut under Berhalter for Qatar?
Goalkeepers: Ethan Horvath (Luton Town), Sean Johnson (New York City FC), Matt Turner (Arsenal)
Defenders: Sergino Dest (AC Milan – on loan from Barcelona), Shaq Moore (Nashville SC), Joe Scally (Borussia Monchengladbach), DeAndre Yedlin (Inter Miami CF), Cameron Carter-Vickers (Celtic), Aaron Long (New York Red Bulls), Walker Zimmerman (Nashville), Antonee Robinson, Tim Ream (Fulham)
Midfielders: Kellyn Acosta (LAFC), Tyler Adams, Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United), Weston McKennie (Juventus), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders FC), Yunus Musah (Valencia), Luca de la Torre (Celta Vigo)
Forwards: Gio Reyna (Borussia Dortmund), Tim Weah (LOSC Lille), Josh Sargent (Norwich City), Jesus Ferreira (Dallas), Haji Wright (Antalyaspor), Christian Pulisic (Chelsea), Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders)
So, with Berhalter announcing his 26-man squad for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar with 25 making their tournament debuts, HITC Football has taken a look at the USMNT’s best XI…
Matt Turner (GK): The Arsenal stopper has set a USMNT record through 20 caps
Turner holds the USMNT record for clean sheets through a goalkeeper’s first 20 caps with 14 shutouts. The Arsenal shot-stopper only made his debut under Berhalter in February 2021, as well. But the 28-year-old would emerge as the No.1 through the 2021 Gold Cup.
Sergino Dest (RB): The AC Milan loanee is only the USMNT’s second Dutch-American
Dest is the second Dutch-American to represent the USMNT at the World Cup after Earnie Stewart (1994, ‘98, 2002). The AC Milan loanee has been a part of Berhalter’s set-up since debuting in September 2019. He now boasts two goals and two assists through 19 games.
Aaron Long (CB): An Achilles tendon rupture ruined the defender’s 2021
Long has represented the USMNT 29 times since his debut in October 2018 and captained the side in just his third game. But an Achilles tendon rupture ruined the defender’s year in 2021. It also kept the New York Red Bulls captain out to 2022 but he has regained his role.
Tim Ream (CB): The Fulham captain is one of the USMNT’s oldest World Cup stars
Ream is the eighth oldest player to make a USMNT squad for a World Cup at 35 years old. He is also the fifth oldest outfield player and is the fifth-most experienced option Berhalter is taking to Qatar. The Fulham captain has amassed 46 caps since his USA debut in 2010.
Antonee Robinson (LB): No player featured more often in the USA’s qualifiers
Robinson featured more often than any other USMNT player during his nation’s qualifying campaign for the 2022 World Cup. The Fulham left-back featured in 13 of 14 fixtures for a total of 1,060 minutes. The 29-cap gem also offered two goals and three of his five assists.
Tyler Adams (CDM): Berhalter will benefit from the midfielder’s success at Leeds
Adams featured in all but one of the USMNT’s qualifying fixtures for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Berhalter will now benefit even more after the midfielder made a hugely successful switch to the Premier League with Leeds and proven to be a real pest in their engine room.
Weston McKennie (CM): The Texas native can put his Juventus plight behind him
McKennie is often able to put any difficulties he is enduring at Juventus behind him when wearing a USMNT jersey. The Texas native has proven to be a true goal threat in midfield with nine in 37 caps. He will also be one of Berhalter’s best options at set pieces in Qatar.
Brenden Aaronson (CM): The Leeds star will be a real danger for the USMNT
If given the space to get on the ball and drive forward, Aaronson will be a real danger for Berhalter against England, Wales and Iran. The 22-year-old has proven he can provide a dynamic presence since moving to Leeds. He also has six goals and five assists in 24 caps.
Gio Reyna (RW): The Borussia Dortmund dynamo is the USMNT’s Maradona
Borussia Dortmund dynamo Reyna is the USMNT’s Diego Maradona for Berhalter. The USA boss waxed lyrical over the 19-year-old – he turns 20 on November 13 – after he produced a mazy run around several Mexico players and had already come close to scoring in March.
“Mexico was the host of the ‘86 World Cup where Maradona scored his wonderful goal, and I had visions of that while Gio was dribbling,” Berhalter said, via quotes by AS.
“Unfortunately, he didn’t finish it off or get an opportunity to finish it off. But, again, I thought he made a solid impact and showed what type of playmaking and attacking quality he has.
Jesus Ferreira (ST): Berhalter is taking a prolific striker to Qatar in the Dallas star
Berhalter is taking a prolific forward to Qatar after announcing Ferreira is in the USMNT’s World Cup squad. The USA boss named the Dallas striker in his team after the 21-year-old hit 18 and created six goals over 33 MLS games this year. He has also hit seven in 15 caps.
Christian Pulisic (LW): No USMNT player scored more goals during qualifying
Berhalter has named Pulisic in the UMSNT’s squad after the Chelsea winger fired the team on to qualify for the 2022 World Cup. The 24-year-old scored more goals (5) than any USA player – including a hat-trick against Panama. The 52-cap star has 21 goals for his country.
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