Some say that missing the 2018 FIFA World Cup was a wake-up call for U.S. Soccer! Unfortunately, the federation only hit the snooze button!
Since being eliminated in CONCACAF qualifying, and missing the FIFA Men’s World Cup in Russia, Gregg Berhalter was named the new Men’s National Team Coach.
He has been on the sidelines since the first of December of last year, and over the 16 games played, his team is a pedestrian 9-5-2. The last loss has been the most glaring.
Placed in a Concacaf Cup tournament round-robin group with Canada and Cuba, the U.S. cruised 7-0 over Cuba, but were underwhelming in a 2-0 loss to our Northern neighbors.
Canada had not beaten the USA in men’s soccer in 34 years. And this tournament will have qualification ramifications for the next Gold Cup and World Cup 2-22 qualifying.
Berhalter, who played collegiate soccer for UNC Chapel Hill from 1991-1994, had a solid professional career playing in Europe. He also managed the Swedish club Hammarby IF before taking the head coaching position in MLS with the Columbus Crew (2013-2018).
While the USMNT is in a period of player evaluation and transition, the team was a mess in Toronto last month against Canada. It was a lackadaisical mistake-filled effort, which struggled to maintain possession at midfield and rarely threatened the Canadian’s goal.
Canada has twice beaten Cuba in the tournament, by a seven-goal combined margin. The U.S. beat Cuba 7-0 and has played one less game than Canada.
Panic has not yet set in, but to say there is deep concern for the status of the U.S. team would be a gross understatement.
However, results from the upcoming matches could flip the standings.
Facing must-win situations against Canada and Cuba in order to have a chance to advance to the knockout round, the U.S. will look for payback against the Canadians on Nov. 15 at Exploria Stadium in Orlando (7 p.m. ET; ESPN2, UniMas, TUDN).
Four days later, the USA meets Cuba in George Town, Cayman Islands. Kickoff at the Truman Bodden Sports Complex is set for 7:30 p.m. ET, and the match will be broadcast live on FS1, UniMas and TUDN.
Berhalter has called in 20 players for a Nov. 2-9 training camp in Bradenton, FL, for MLS players in the player pool for the next two games. A list of European-based players that will be part of the USMNT roster will arrive in Orlando beginning Nov. 10.
“We have the opportunity to take advantage of the MLS post-season window to start preparations for the matches against Canada and Cuba,” Berhalter said. “It’s another week to keep progressing as a group as we focus on getting the results we need to advance to the knockout phase of the Nations League.”
Holding its destiny in its own hands, the path for the United States to advance to the knockout stage of the inaugural Nations League is clear: win both remaining matches and achieve a superior goal differential. Canada is on top of the group with nine points and a plus-nine goal differential, largely on the strength of scoring seven times in two games against Cuba.
The U.S. notched seven of their own the first time around against Cuba and will need to keep their foot on the gas. First up, however, is a massive rematch against the Canadian team that ignited their home crowd and support across the nation with a 2-0 win on Oct. 15 in Toronto, their first against the United States in more than three decades.
The 20 players represent 17 different MLS clubs, with Columbus Crew SC, Philadelphia Union and San Jose Earthquakes each featuring two players on the roster.
USA (MLS Only) DETAILED ROSTER BY POSITION
GOALKEEPERS (3): Brad Guzan (Atlanta United FC; 62/0), Sean Johnson (New York City FC; 8/0), Matt Turner (New England Revolution; 0/0)
DEFENDERS (7): Reggie Cannon (FC Dallas; 9/0), Chase Gasper (Minnesota United FC; 0/0), Nick Lima (San Jose Earthquakes; 9/0), Aaron Long (New York Red Bulls; 14/2), Daniel Lovitz (Montreal Impact/CAN; 12/0), Mark McKenzie (Philadelphia Union; 0/0), Walker Zimmerman (LAFC; 11/2)
MIDFIELDERS (5): Brenden Aaronson (Philadelphia Union; 0/0), Sebastian Lletget (LA Galaxy; 12/2), Djordje Mihailovic (Chicago Fire; 5/1), Wil Trapp (Columbus Crew SC; 20/0), Jackson Yueill (San Jose Earthquakes; 4/0)
FORWARDS (5): Paul Arriola (D.C. United; 30/5), Corey Baird (Real Salt Lake; 4/0), Jeremy Ebobisse (Portland Timbers; 1/0), Jonathan Lewis (Colorado Rapids; 5/0), Gyasi Zardes (Columbus Crew SC; 54/10)