Image Source: The Guardian
With the 2022 FIFA World Cup just around the corner, the USMNT have announced their squad for the showpiece event. The Stars and Stripes missed out on the 2018 World Cup in Russia and will be intent on making an impression in this edition of the tournament.
With just over a week left for the World Cup to start, USMNT manager Gregg Berhalter has finalized his squad for the tournament. The 26-man squad will travel to Qatar imminently and will need to work hard ahead of some difficult group fixtures.
US World Cup 2022 Final Squad
| Position | Players |
| Goalkeepers | Ethan Horvath, Matt Turner, Sean Johnson |
| Defenders | Cameron Carter-Vickers, Sergino Dest, Aaron Long, Shaq Moore, Tim Ream, Antonee Robinson, Joe Scally, DeAndre Yedlin, Walker Zimmerman |
| Midfielders | Brenden Aaronson, Kellyn Acosta, Tyler Adams, Luca de la Torre, Weston McKennie, Yunus Musah, Cristian Roldan |
| Forwards | Jesus Ferreira, Jordan Morris, Christian Pulisic, Giovanni Reyna, Josh Sargent, Timothy Weah, Haji Wright |
How many players are in the USMNT Squad for FIFA World Cup?
Gregg Berhalter has named 26 players in his USMNT squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. He has included three goalkeepers in his squad, with Arsenal’s Matt Turner likely to be given a starting role as the team’s shot-stopper for the tournament.
With an average age of 21 years and 175 days, the USMNT has picked the second-youngest squad in the tournament this year. Joe Scally, Yunus Musah, and Giovanni Reyna are three of the six youngest players ever to represent the USMNT in the history of the FIFA World Cup. Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, and Tyler Adams are also entering their prime years and will need to play pivotal roles in the USMNT’s World Cup campaign.
The USMNT has witnessed the likes of Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey don their colours in the past. This World Cup will see a new generation of American players taking the stage and battling against bonafide European giants in the group stage. The USMNT find themselves in a fairly challenging group but have pulled off memorable upsets in the FIFA World Cup in the past.
With matches against England and Wales on the horizon in Group B, the USMNT will rely heavily on their European football stars this year. The likes of Christian Pulisic, Tyler Adams, Giovanni Reyna, and Weston McKennie have featured in the UEFA Champions League and will need to bring their experience to the fore to give the team a fighting chance.
USMNT FIFA World Cup 2022 Preview
Image Source: Sports Illustrated
The USMNT kick off their World Cup campaign against Wales on the 21st of November, 2022. With England the favourites to top Group B this year, the USMNT will need to win their first game of the tournament to remain in contention for knock-out qualification.
Following the match against Wales, the USMNT then go up against a powerful England team on the 25th of November. The Stars and Stripes have troubled England in the FIFA World Cup in the past and famously held the Three Lions to a 1-1 draw in the 2010 edition of the tournament.
The USMNT play their last game of the group stage against Iran on the 29th of November. If they do manage to take points off Wales or England, the game against Iran could become a potentially decisive encounter that will determine the USMNT’s future in the 2022 World Cup.
Key Players:
Christian Pulisic: Christian Pulisic has not been a starter at Chelsea over the past year, but he does step up for the USMNT. Nicknamed ‘Captain America’ by his fans, the 24-year-old Pulisic is his team’s talisman and has scored 21 international goals so far.
Giovanni Reyna: At only 20 years of age, Giovanni Reyna is arguably the future of the USMNT. Reyna has grown in stature at Borussia Dortmund and his creative capabilities could make a difference for the USA at the World Cup.
Weston McKennie: Weston McKennie plies his trade with Juventus and has played against some of Europe’s biggest teams. With Champions League matches under his belt, McKennie brings valuable big-game experience to the table and is an effective goalscoring midfielder.
USMNT’s Head Coach
Image Source: Sporting News
Gregg Berhalter is the USMNT’s head coach for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. As a former player, Berhalter played for Crystal Palace and also played an important role for the USA in the 2002 World Cup. The former defender was also included in the USMNT’s squad for the 2006 World Cup and is aware of the rigours and demands of the competition.
Berhalter began his career in management as an assistant coach at Los Angeles Galaxy. After a brief stint in Sweden, he took charge of Columbus Crew and led them to the MLS playoffs in four consecutive seasons. Gregg Berhalter has been the USMNT coach for nearly four years and will be intent on taking his team to new heights.
USMNT’s Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths: The USMNT have quality peppered all over the pitch, with Christan Pulisic and Giovanni Reyna headlining their attack. Yunus Musah, Tyler Adams, and Weston McKennie make up arguably the most complete midfield the country has ever had. With Tim Ream and Walker Zimmerman in form with Matt Turner behind them, the USMNT have a fairly complete squad.
Weaknesses: While the first names on the team sheet have plenty of elite match experience, injuries could leave the USMNT hamstrung in the World Cup. Giovanni Reyna and Christian Pulisic are prone to injuries and should they suffer knocks, the USMNT are unlikely to find able replacements.
The team has also played CONCACAF qualifiers for several months and is not particularly accustomed to the quality of South American and European opposition. A lack of a distinct style could also hamper the USMNT’s chances in the World Cup this year.
