Amidst the chaos of the November international break, USMNT manager Gregg Berhalter surprisingly hinted that a special December camp would take place for non-european players, opposite of the all European November Camp.
This was confirmed by the El Salvador Soccer Federation of all places, where it was announced that La Selecta will be traveling north for a friendly with the December Camp Squad. With the jig up, Berhalter announced on Monday the players selected to the special December Camp.
GOALKEEPERS (3): CJ Dos Santos (Benfica/POR; 0/0), Bill Hamid (D.C. United; 7/0), David Ochoa (Real Salt Lake; 0/0)
DEFENDERS (8): Julian Araujo (LA Galaxy; 0/0), Kyle Duncan (New York Red Bulls; 0/0), Marco Farfan (Portland Timbers; 0/0, Aaron Long (New York Red Bulls; 17/3), Mark McKenzie (Philadelphia Union; 1/0), Mauricio Pineda (Chicago Fire; 0/0), Sam Vines (Colorado Rapids; 1/0), Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC; 12/2)
MIDFIELDERS (5): Brenden Aaronson (Philadelphia Union; 1/0), Kellyn Acosta (Colorado Rapids; 23/2), Frankie Amaya (FC Cincinnati; 0/0), Cole Bassett (Colorado Rapids; 0/0), Sebastian Lletget (LA Galaxy; 16/3)
FORWARDS (6): Ayo Akinola (Toronto FC/CAN; 0/0), Efrain Alvarez (LA Galaxy; 0/0), Paul Arriola (D.C. United; 33/5), Daryl Dike (Orlando City SC; 0/0), Djordje Mihailovic (Chicago Fire; 5/1), Chris Mueller (Orlando City SC; 0/0)
A Changing of the Guard?
When the initial rumors of an all CONCACAF camp came to fruition, most held their tongue for the possibility of 2018 WCQ squad getting another chance at it. The end result couldn’t be more opposite. Zardes, Altidore, Bradley, Gonzalez, Besler, Villafana, and McCarty were all prominent members left out of Berhalter’s roster.
While some may say it was just a chance for more youngsters to get caps, you could speculate that some MLS vets may be in the side mirror for 2022. Is Berhalter attempting to make Dike and Akinola replace Zardes? Does he believe no MLS presence in midfield is best? Is 2022 going to lack a veteran presence?
The usage of players in this camp may answer those questions.
22 players for extremely limited positions
In 2006, 11 Non-European club players were featured in the US world cup squad. Even in the anti-MLS Klinsmann era, 2014 still contained 11 club members of CONCACAF.
In 2020, with the face of American soccer now in Europe, it’s fair to say that 3-5 players in this camp will make the 2022 team. While the startling transition of Americans to Europe is something for another article, it definetly leaves MLS americans between a rock and a hard place.
MLS veterans such as Bill Hamid, Kellyn Acosta, and Aaron Long will use this camp to re-define their relevance in the pool. While youngsters aplenty will look just to make Berhalter bat an eye.
This goes especially in the #9 role. With Nicholas Gioacchini turning heads, and the striker pool growing even deeper, youngsters Ayo Akinola and Daryl Dike must make an impact.
A lot of players with alot to prove
A record 12(!) players have yet to receive a cap are in the squad for December. The simple reality is this: The chances for these players to make Qater are slim to none.
That doesn’t mean they aern’t playing for nothing. Chris Mueller is the perfect example of this. An inverted winger who set MLS alight in 2020, forcing Berhalter’s hand onto the roster. The same can be said for Mark McKenzie, who is coming off of a defensive player of the year nod.
With americans abroad always getting the most attention, the MLS starlets must make a difference on the bigger stage.
An U-20 World Cup, The Olympics, The Nations League, and World Cup qualifying all take place in 2021. Even if some are long shots, their is a great chance the pool will be deepened next year as well. Expect prominent roles from especially the starters out of this camp.
My Starting XI
Goalkeeper: Bill Hamid
This is no surprise given the complete inexperience of David Ochoa and CJ Dos Santos (I haven’t heard of him either.) But will intrigue me the most is how Hamid will do between the sticks. Sure it’s against El Salvador, but one could say Hamid would need an impressive performance to keep his reign as the third choice keeper in the pool.
With Zach Steffan and Matt Turner solidifying the top two spots, the debate for third choice keeper grows larger and larger on the spectrum. A dominant performance is needed.
Full Backs: Julian Araujo, Sam Vines
Let’s be realistic, the only chance for an MLS fullback to be in Qatar is if one of the four American fullbacks in Europe are injured.
That’s not to say these two give can hold firm in a debate. Julian Araujo has quickly turned into the frame of LA Galaxy’s failures this year. Disappointing 2020 aside, Araujo still comes with a boatload of potential an speed on the right in a way Seattle Sounder Deandre Yedlin would be proud of. Don;t have high hopes in the short term, but will take this cap as the appetizer to the U-20 World Cup next year.
Sam Vines is a more predictable talent. Still just 21, Vines has emerged as one of the best defensive fullbacks in MLS. Still alot to be desired in attack, his defensive prowess does give him potential to be featured in the future.
Center Backs: Mark McKenzie, Walker Zimmerman
The real question will be who performs better out of Zimmerman, McKenzie, and Aaron Long. After all, only John Brooks is a lock on the backline. With Matt Miazga and Tim Ream getting real minutes in Europe, it puts pressure on the MLS boys to get it done on the international stage.
At this point, the centerback power rankings have to be Zimmerman, McKenzie, and Long due to recent performances. But a lot can change in just a camp.
Holding Midfielder: Kellyn Acosta
Acosta seemed dead in the water in terms of recieving another call up. But amidst the young talent around him, it appears Berhalter preferred a veteran presence in midfield. Acosta’s inclusion feels like a rarity considering just how many CDM’s are making their way through the ranks. (Two years from now, Keaton Parks and Jackson Yueill will easily step out of the shadows.)
Attacking Midfield: Sebastian Lletget, Brendan Aaronson
Another batch with no surprises. Berhalter likes Lletget so much he called him up to November’s camp in place of Josh Sargant. Aaronson isn’t a surprise either, as one of the most creative players in the USMNT pool is set for a move to Salzburg in January.
Wingers: Chris Mueller, ??
It feels necessary to give Chris Mueller his flowers given his production for a surprisingly competent Orlando team this campaign. If he keeps this pace up, he may be one of the few from MLS selected to Qatar.
The real question is who plays on the left. If you couldn’t tell, Berhalter does have open slots for whoever is knocked out of the Western conference in the coming days. If one of those teams is Seattle, then it’ll be Jordan Morris in that spot. If Seattle advances tonight, then it’ll be Djordje Mihailovic, the only natural left winger in the pool.
Striker: Ayo Akinola
It won’t matter who gets the nod, Akinola and Dike will both earn their flowers after torching MLS this year. Two physical #9’s with a knack for scoring goals, no other prospects have been hyped up more from this MLS season.
Here is how I expect the Stars and Stripes to lineup. In contention with Berhalter’s moves, it appears this 4-3-3 formation is built to stay.
As mentioned, only as many as five spots may be reserved for this camp. With a busy 2021 ahead, many in this camp, even the starters, will need an excellent showing to stay in Berhalter’s good graces.
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[…] there is just too much to prove for the USMNT squad. As I said previewing the camp, there are very little spots available for talent stateside. With nations league, World Cup […]
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