We all know who the A-Team is. The only thing left for Beer?halter to decide is who the back-ups will be to cover for injuries and fitness heading into the Copa America and the '26 WC. Will he choose wisely? Past history leaves many doubts.
It's encouraging that guys like Ferriera, Vasquez, Zendejas, Busio, et. al. have done well in Gold Cup. But they absolutely must continue doing so & improve with their club teams, against much tougher competition, to be considered.
Beer?halter has his faves (and his non-favorites), many of which are has-beens from MLS that get repeatedly called up. Will this continue? Has he learned anything? Will his ego and perceived infallibility allow him to do what's right for USMNT success? We'll see over the next 3 years.
The USSF needs to pay close attention to what Berhalter does. The US should absolutely be trying to win Gold Cup next year and has the available pool of players that can do so, even considering it would mean beating both Argentina and Brazil....the US 100% has the talent to do it unless Berhalter decides Walker-Zimmerman and Aaron Long need to start at CB to give MLS exposure. The opportunity to play in Copa America is not often and only extended to non South American nations occasionally although there is probably an agreement to run a joint tourney with CONCACAF every other comp or so (not sure). There is no need for Aaron Long to ever suit up for the US again. NONE. Even on the B-side. There are better alternatives. Callaghan has shown that with the A-side, the US is pretty dominant in the region. It's pretty dominant with the B-side as well (while Mexico's A-minus side is out there losing to Qatar and Canada's A-minus side is really struggling...this all points to the depth of the talent pool the US currently enjoys). The starting XI is all but set and the biggest question is which MFs start out of Adams, Musah, Reyna, and McKennie? That's the hardest question Berhalter has to answer. How many managers would love to have a problem like that? And I hope Reyna gets a fair shot. At 20 years old it is clear he is a world class player. He's got as much technical skill as his dad, and I think he is both quicker and sees the field better than his old man. He unfortunately inherited his dad's susceptibility to injuries.
Who is the backup to Balogun is the next biggest question? Is it Ferreira? Is it Vazquez? Is it Pefok or Pepi? And when you look at those options, you've got 4 pretty good choices who all will ask different questions of the defense. Nobody ever questions Ferreira's ability to find small spaces and see runs that can be made and he is pretty proactive at doing so. It's always been about his ability to finish after making those runs. Maybe these Gold Cup games get him to a confidence level that we start seeing that pay off in bigger games against better opponents. Vazquez is going to be an absolute load to handle when given the chance. Fast and big and physical. And we all know Pepi an Pefok have performed at elevated levels in Europe. The outside wings should be set with Weah and Pulisic. This gives the US 2 players that opposing defenses actually fear on the outside which frees space in the middle and both Pulisic and Weah are capable of picking an open man out in the box and getting the ball to them.
The backline starters are set IMO. Miles Robinson, Chris Richards, Jedi, and Dest. You've got nice options for either side in Scally, and I expect Ream to be in the mix for Copa America next year but think he's a long shot for 2026 due to his age.
In goal I think we are set with Turner through 2026 unless Slonina ends up being the starter at Chelsea and goes sometime in the next couple of years. He has that potential.
2026 cannot get here soon enough for me!
