The United States will enter the World Cup with a roster lean on top-level international experience but plump with résumés built in high-level European pro leagues.Missing the 2018 tournament in Russia interrupted the program’s development, but with a wave of young players, Coach Gregg Berhalter has molded a fearless squad that has grown together over four years.[With the World Cup looming, Gregg Berhalter’s USMNT squad is unveiled]Even with World Cup rosters expanded by three to 26, Berhalter faced difficult decisions in narrowing his list.Story continues below advertisementStory continues below advertisementHis core group, though, has remained steady since the qualifiers began. Chelsea’s Christian Pulisic, an electrifying attacker who’s on track to become the best U.S. player in history, leads the way. But the team is flush with support, including Juventus’s Weston McKennie; a pair of Leeds United standouts, Tyler Adams and Brenden Aaronson; and a rising star in Valencia’s Yunus Musah.Here’s a look at the U.S. men’s national team roster for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.Matt TurnerHometown: Park Ridge, N.J.Undrafted out of Fairfield University, overlooked by youth national teams and underappreciated for years in MLS, Turner is the ultimate late bloomer. He parlayed exceptional work with the New England Revolution into a U.S. debut in 2021 and, through performances for club and country, moved to the Premier League this past summer. Turner was the 2021 MLS goalkeeper of the year.Sean JohnsonGK, New York City FC (United States)Johnson has been among MLS’s top keepers for more than a decade, first with the Chicago Fire and, for the past six seasons, with NYCFC, the 2021 champion. He made his U.S. debut in 2011 but was always behind Tim Howard, Brad Guzan and, more recently, Steffen and Turner on the depth chart. His experience and camaraderie with the group, though, made him a prime choice for the No. 3 role.Ethan HorvathHometown: Highlands Ranch, Colo.Horvath’s club path meandered through Norway and Belgium before taking him to England’s second flight with Nottingham Forest. Playing time in 2021-22 was limited, though, leading to a loan within the division to Luton Town. He didn’t appear in any World Cup qualifiers, but as a sub in the 2021 Concacaf Nations League final, he stopped a penalty kick in extra time against Mexico.Walker ZimmermanDF, Nashville SC (United States)Hometown: Lawrenceville, Ga.Like many others, the center back has risen to prominence under Gregg Berhalter in recent years. Unlike most others, he has been around a while. The MLS standout was initially a backup in World Cup qualifying, but by offering a physical presence, aerial superiority and leadership, he ended up starting nine of the final 11 qualifiers and wearing the captain’s armband multiple times.Aaron LongDF, New York Red Bulls (United States)Hometown: Oak Hills, Calif.The late-blooming center back returned to the national team in June after he tore an Achilles’ tendon in May 2021. He missed the qualifying campaign but upon his return helped fill the void left by Miles Robinson, who, in May, also suffered an Achilles’ tendon injury. Long’s speed and finesse complements Zimmerman’s power on the backline. He was MLS’s defender of the year in 2018.Antonee RobinsonHometown: Liverpool, EnglandKnown as “Jedi” for his love of “Star Wars,” the English-born left back is the son of a former Duke soccer player who naturalized. The younger Robinson came through Everton’s youth system and played for Bolton and Wigan before landing at Fulham in 2020 and helping the Cottagers return to the Premier League in May. He appeared in 13 of 14 World Cup qualifiers, starting 11 and scoring twice.Sergiño DestHometown: Almere, NetherlandsBorn and raised in the Netherlands, Dest gained eligibility through his American father and began representing U.S. youth teams six years ago. In 2019, with the Dutch national team showing interest, he committed to the U.S. program. Few teammates can match his skill level, and though Dest is listed as a defender, his forte is pressing forward on the right flank and complementing the attack.Shaq MooreDF, Nashville SC (United States)Hometown: Powder Springs, Ga.Until his move to MLS this summer, Moore had spent his entire professional career in Spain, where he most recently played three seasons for Tenerife. The right back saw action in four World Cup qualifiers and in all six matches of the Americans’ Gold Cup run in the summer of 2021. During that tournament, he scored the fastest goal in U.S. team history, finding the net 20 seconds into a group-stage match against Canada.DeAndre YedlinDF, Inter Miami (United States)The right back has logged the longest continuous service to the national team, beginning months before the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. He made three substitute appearances in Brazil, which helped spur a move to Tottenham from the Seattle Sounders and a 7½-year stay in Europe. His other clubs were Sunderland, Newcastle and Galatasaray. He returned stateside before the 2022 MLS season.Cameron Carter-VickersHometown: Southend-on-Sea, EnglandThe center back’s father, Howard Carter, was a star basketball player at LSU and in 1983 was drafted by the Denver Nuggets in the first round. Cameron, whose mother is English, spent part of his childhood in Louisiana. He came through Tottenham’s system and played on loan at seven clubs before sticking at Celtic. He wasn’t part of World Cup qualifying but reentered the scene in June.Joe ScallyDF, Borussia Mönchengladbach (Germany)Hometown: Lake Grove, N.Y.The New York City FC homegrown Scally signed a pro contract at age 15 and, before even appearing in an MLS regular season match, committed to the German club to move abroad when he turned 18. In his first full Bundesliga season in 2020-21, he made 30 appearances and started 20 times. Though not involved in World Cup qualifying, the right back offers the versatility of being able to play on the left.Tim ReamIn his eighth season with Fulham, the center back has been part of squads that have alternated promotion and relegation each year since 2018. His U.S. debut came in 2010, when many current teammates were in elementary school. Ream started the qualifying opener at El Salvador but didn’t play again, leaving him out of the World Cup picture until final selections.Tyler AdamsMF, Leeds United (England)Hometown: Wappingers Falls, N.Y.The defensive midfielder began his career in the New York Red Bulls academy, played three Bundesliga seasons with RB Leipzig, then moved to the Premier League this past summer on a $24 million transfer. Mature beyond his years, he sets the tone for the U.S. team and connects the defense with the attack. In the 14-game World Cup qualifying, he played in all but one and started all but two.Weston McKennieHometown: Little Elm, Tex.Few Americans have ventured to Serie A, and fewer have thrived there. McKennie is in his third season with Italy’s most famous club following five with Schalke in the Bundesliga. A two-way central player, McKennie started seven qualifiers but missed time because of injuries and violating team health protocols. He brings a big personality that has made him one of the program’s most popular figures.Yunus MusahBorn in New York to Ghanian parents, Musah grew up in Italy and England and rose through Arsenal’s academy while representing English youth national teams. Eligible for four countries, Musah chose the U.S. program in 2021. While thriving at Valencia, he quickly became a U.S.
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The USMNT World Cup roster is out.
By tbuzzed
