CHICAGO State, USA – The United States has less than two months till the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup. In Murcia, Spain, the Men’s National Team will compete in its final pregame match against Saudi Arabia, another World Cup semifinalist.
The Green Falcons, one of the six AFC teams that made it to Qatar, put up remarkable stats throughout their World Cup Qualifying campaign, winning both of their second and third round groups with a total record of 13-1-4 after defeating Japan in the Third Round, Group B standings.
Saleh Al-Shehri and Salem Al-Dawsari, who both play for them in the domestic league, each scored seven goals during the qualifying round. In the team’s penultimate practice match on Friday, the USA lost 2-0 to Japan, while Saudi Arabia began the window with a 0-0 tie against Ecuador.
POSITION BY POSITION USMNT ROSTER FOR SEPTEMBER TRAINING CAMP
Ethan Horvath (Luton Town, England; 8/0), Sean Johnson (New York City FC; 10/0), and Matt Turner (Arsenal, England; 19/0) are the three goalkeepers.
DEFENDERS (8): DeAndre Yedlin of Inter Miami, Aaron Long of the New York Red Bulls, Mark McKenzie of Genk, Belgium’s Royal Antwerp, Erik Palmer-Brown of Troyes, France, Joe Scally of Borussia Mönchengladbach, Germany, Sam Vines of Royal Antwerp, Belgium, and Walker Zimmerman of Nashville SC.
MIDFIELDERS (6): Weston McKennie (Juventus/ITA; 36/9), Luca de la Torre (Celta Vigo/ESP; 12/0), Johnny Cardoso (Internacional/BRA), Tyler Adams (Leeds United/ENG; 31/1), Kellyn Acosta (LAFC; 52/2), and Malik Tillman (Rangers / SCO; 3/0).
FORWARDS (8): Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United, ENG; 23/6), Paul Arriola (FC Dallas, ENG; 47/10), Jess Ferreira (FC Dallas, ENG; 14/7), Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders, ENG; 49/11), Ricardo Pepi (Groningen, NED; 11/3), Christian Pulisic (Chelsea, ENG; 51/21), Gio Reyna (Borussia Dortmund / GER; 13/4)
DÜSSELDORF BATTLE
The USA lost to the Samurai Blue 2-0 in their September opener against Japan on Friday in Düsseldorf, Germany, despite goalkeeper Matt Turner’s Budweiser Man of the Match performance, which included six outstanding saves.
Gregg Berhalter, the head coach of the USMNT, had the chance to watch 17 players in all, some of whom were making their first outings for the national team in months. Gio Reyna, a midfielder, and Sam Vines, a defender, got their first starts in over a year, and Josh Sargent, Jonny Cardoso, and Mark McKenzie, who came on as substitutes in the second half, made their first appearances of 2022.
Reggie Cannon, a defender, suffered a left groin strain after the game, which is expected to keep him out for a few weeks.
ROSTER UPDATED
Three alterations have been made to the USMNT roster since it was first revealed. Johnny Cardoso, a midfielder, was added to the team when Yunus Musah was found to have a slight groin injury. After Cameron Carter-Vickers and Chris Richards suffered minor injuries, center defenders Mark McKenzie and Erik Palmer-Brown were called up.
COMPETITION FOR A SPOT
Just under two months before the USA plays Wales to open its campaign in Qatar, on November 21, 2022, the USMNT will play its matches against Japan and Saudi Arabia. The two matches will be the USA’s last chances to practice before the World Cup. The USMNT will fight in Qatar’s best group after being drawn in Group B alongside Wales, England, and IR Iran, who collectively hold an average FIFA World Ranking of 15.
BACK YOU ARE
After some time away from international service, a handful of players have received calls back to the USMNT. Josh Sargent, a forward, makes his first appearance since the United States’ first World Cup qualifying matches in September 2021.
The 22-year-old striker is tied for second in the EFL Championship scoring race with six goals in ten games for Norwich City so far this season.
Sam Vines, an outside back on the 2021 Gold Cup winning team, gets his first call-up since last November.
For Belgian Jupiler League leaders Royal Antwerp, Vines has started each of the first nine games, scoring one goal en route to a perfect 9-0-0 start.
