2022 US World Cup roster prediction
What I think Berhalter will do, what I think he ought to realistically do, and what I would do if I were making a video game roster
The final roster comes out two days after this post will publish, and then we’re in the Endgame.
26 players and three games to see where we really stack up.
Berhalter’s Squad
I’m assuming GGG will take his Starting XI, a backup for each, and then an additional keeper, defender, midfielder, and attacker to get to 26.
Keepers
Locks (if healthy) - Matt Turner & Zack Steffen
Most Likely Remainder - Sean Johnson
Next Man Up - Ethan Horvath, Gaga Slonina
Final Prediction - Turner, Steffen, Johnson
Defenders
Locks (if healthy) - Walker Zimmerman, Sergino Dest, Antonee Robinson
Most Likely Remainders - Aaron Long, Mark McKenzie, Cameron-Carter Vickers, DeAndre Yedlin, Reggie Cannon
Next Men Up - Chris Richards, Erik Palmer-Brown, Joe Scally, Shaq Moore, George Bello
Bonus Defender? - Chris Richards (I think if he has even a chance to be healthy enough to go, GGG brings him as a fifth CB hoping he can start next to Zimmerman)
Final Prediction - Zimmerman, Long, McKenzie, CCV, Richards, Dest, ARob, Yedlin, Cannon
Midfielders
Locks (if healthy) - Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie, Yunus Musah, Luca de la Torre, Kellyn Acosta
Most Likely Remainder - Malik Tillman
Next Men Up - Johnny Cardoso, James Sands, Gianluca Busio, Sebastian Lletget
Bonus Midfielder? - Cristian Roldan (he’s a GGG and locker room guy, and I think GGG sees him as a Swiss Army knife player he can throw into any position but GK, CB, or ST in a pinch)
Final Prediction - Adams, Acosta, McKennie, Musah, LDT, Tillman, Roldan
Attackers
Locks (if healthy) - Christian Pulisic, Gio Reyna, Brenden Aaronson, Tim Weah
Most Likely Remainder - Jesus Ferreira, Ricardo Pepi
Next Men Up - Paul Arriola, Jordan Morris, Josh Sargent, Jordan Pefok, Haji Wright
Bonus Attacker? - Josh Sargent (this will be the toughest cut, Sargent over Arriola b/c Sargent can play attacker and wing, while Arriola’s greatest strength is playing in CONCACAF-y games, and we’re unlikely to see any of those at the World Cup)
Final Prediction - Pulisic, Reyna, Aaronson, Weah, Ferreira, Pepi, Sargent
Real World, Minor Tweaks Berhalter Squad
We’re starting with the roster predicted above, and I’m only going to replace players with guys who have been in a GGG camp and could realistically be integrated into the squad
Keepers: Turner, Steffen, Johnson
No Changes
I would consider replacing Johnson with Horvath b/c I think he’s a better keeper, but Johnson will almost certainly be the only guy over 30 on the squad, and if you’re going to go for intangibles the third keeper is a pretty good spot to do it
Defenders: Zimmerman, Long, McKenzie, CCV, Richards, Dest, ARob, Yedlin, Cannon
Out - Long
In - Ream
If I’m going to have an older, less athletic CB on the roster, give me the one starting every game in the Premier League instead of the one who wasn’t even the best CB on his MLS team this year
Out - Yedlin
In - Scally
I get that Yedlin will be the only guy on the squad who’s been to a World Cup, but I think it’s doubtful he was even a Top 10 FB in MLS this season; Scally has played LB and RB in the Bundesliga and is probably our most in-form FB period at this moment
Midfielders: Adams, Acosta, McKennie, Musah, LDT, Tillman, Roldan
No Changes
I want to replace Roldan, but I don’t really see an upgrade who’s actually been in the squad recently. If anything, I would replace him with Arriola as a sixth attacker.
Attackers: Pulisic, Reyna, Aaronson, Weah, Ferreira, Pepi, Sargent
Out - Ferreira
In - Pefok
I want a target striker that I can put in at the 60 minute mark if we’re not generating any chances. Pefok has the best track record for his club in that role, and Ferreira really cooled off down the stretch in MLS and for the USMNT in qualifying.
My FIFA Lineup
Here I don’t have to worry about team chemistry, or learning the system, or anything other than the best players right this second. This isn’t real life, but it’s fun to think about.
Keepers: Turner, Steffen, Horvath
Turner starts every game as long as he’s healthy, but I’ve got the two guys playing pretty well in the Championship as backups if someone breaks an ankle
Defenders: Zimmerman, Ream, CCV, Trusty, Richards/Tolkin, Dest, Robinson, Scally, Cannon
Auston Trusty is playing lights out in the Championship right now. In the real world he peaked too late for a look, but this isn’t the real world. If I think there’s any chance Richards can be match fit, he’s my bonus defender. If not, I roll with Cannon as my emergency fifth defender across the line, and bring John Tolkin as probably the second best LB on the field in the entire pool the last 9 months.
Midfielders: Adams, Acosta, McKennie, Musah, Mihailovic, LDT/Mendez
Mihailovic looks like the best Musah imitator in the pool, and it took some really bad luck to keep him from getting a look in this cycle. LDT is a lock when healthy, but if I’m not absolutely sure he’s healthy, I bring Alex Mendez, who’s been playing really well in the Portuguese Primera Division for months. I don’t take a bonus midfielder, counting on the fact that both Aaronson and Reyna can move down if injuries pile up.
Attackers: Pulisic, Reyna, Aaronson, Weah, Sargent, Pepi, Pefok, Zendejas
The four top wingers are no-brainers. Sargent, Pepi, and Pefok are in the best form this fall. Sargent can play in all three attackers roles if necessary, and Aaronson and Reyna can both drop down to play the 8 if necessary. Alex Zendejas is the craziest addition on this entire squad. On the field, he’s been the most consistent US-eligible attacker in the world over the last two years. In the real world he’s got less of a chance of making this squad than John Brooks or Michael Bradley, but here I can do what I want.