After a September/October international break where some United States men's national team regulars were able to get a rest while Mauricio Pochettino got to look at a younger group of players, now it's time to return to competitive play with two matches against Haiti in the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals. The USMNT will look to book their place in the last four with games on Nov. 14 and Nov. 17. While many regulars such as Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, and Folarin Balogun have returned to this squad, many of the young players who got their first taste of USMNT camp, such as Cavan Sullivan and Julian Hall, will be called on yet again for the full Concacaf experience of competing in Nations League play.
While some players such as Miles Robinson, Johnny Cardoso, and Ricardo Pepi have been dealing with injuries as of late, it could be a door closing for others like Tim Weah and Yunus Musah as young players have been called in at their positions. Pochettino did confirm that both Pepi and Balogun aren't 100% fit, so it only made sense to call in one while also giving opportunities to Justin Ellis and Hall to earn opportunities to play against Haiti. Yet again, Pochettino has called in uncapped players, as Reed Baker-Whiting seeks his first USMNT cap, and Paderborn midfielder Santiago Castaneda, who is also eligible to represent Colombia, has been rewarded for his stellar play in the German Bundesliga.
With many members of the USMNT, such as Pulisic, Sebastian Berhalter, and Gio Reyna in good form, it will be an attack-heavy lineup. However, there are plenty of questions as to how Pochettino will set up his defense. After the core that made the World Cup, anything could happen, but there's a clear goal of bringing along the next generation of U.S.
Soccer now, as we'll get to see what the younger players can do in competitive matches. Speaking about the roster, Pochettino stressed balance, and he may have alluded to some interesting lineup mechanics as he integrates that youth with established players such as Pulisic. A U-23 camp may be going on at the same time as this one, and while many players in the current squad are eligible, if a player is good enough for the senior team and fits Pochettino's vision, then they'll be with the senior squad.
"I think it's important to always try to add new ideas, new ways to try to perform, and to create different patterns on the field with the ball. Always our priority is with the ball, but also when we don't have the ball is to create a good organization to recover the ball as soon as possible and to get the ball back," Pochettino said. "But I think that roster provides a very good opportunity to try different things.
The most important thing is the combination, to try to see the chemistry between because I think for Christian and Matias [Albert] is the first time that they are going to be together. I think the combination, also, we need to see during the camp. From Monday, we are going to start to see the chemistry off the field, but also on the field that is really important too, and try to see how that works." Call it What You Want: A weekly podcast where Jimmy Conrad, Charlie Davies and Tony Meola cover all things USMNT and the state of the beautiful game in the United States.
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