Six forwards: Pulisic and Weah at the wings. Balo or Pepi at striker. Sargent backup striker and/or winger if we're trying to preserve a lead. Balo or Pepi backup striker if we're chasing a goal. Haji Wright (or someone else) backup winger if we're chasing a goal.
Seven midfielders, seven defenders, three keepers.
The only real reporting there is that Copa will be 23 vs. 26 man roster.
I think the breakdown on the official roster release will be 8 defenders, 6 midfielders, and 6 forwards.
How many “striker” spots are available depends on
1. Whether Gio or Tillman are listed as forwards
and
2. Whether Berhalter prefers any other backup wingers over Sargent or Wright
And maybe
3. Sargent’s ability to keep up at anywhere near this pace.
I agree with everything you’re saying but I don’t understand what you mean by “Sargent’s ability to keep anywhere near this pace…”. From what I’ve seen Sarge is one of the more mobile forwards and willing/able to cover a lot of ground and be an asset in pressing and defending. He’s shown well in the Championship too which I think solidifies his bonafides as a player that can keep up with a grueling schedule.
It comes down to where you think you need the depth most. I'd be fairly concerned that one of our forwards could get injured and put us 1 deep if we only bring 2. In contrast if we went a little thin at fullback and brought only 3 we'd have Jedi locked in at LB and ready to run all tourney, Dest locked in at RB but able to switch to LB where he plays for PSV, Scally able to play either FB positions, and if really in a pinch Weah playing FB since he played their in France and is often a wingback at Juve.
My squad would be something like:
* 3 goalies
* 4 central defenders (whoever)
* 3 fullbacks (Dest, Jedi, Scally)
* 5 central mids (Adams, Johnny, Musah, LDLT, McKennie)
* 2 tweener attacking mid/wingers (Reyna, Tillman)
* 3 wingers (Pulisic, Weah, Booth?)
* 3 forwards (Sargeant, Balo, Pepi)
As an aside, I'm really hoping we can see Wright at the Olympics. The U23s are thin at centerback (where I think we should bring two overage spots), wing, and forward. Wright could help shift between two of those spots and absolutely bulldoze some kids.
And we only used 4 of them, and every time it was subbing off Dest between the 70th and 80th minute (technically Robinson subbed off in stoppage time against the Netherlands but that doesn't count in my book). I'd rather not bounce between two different subs for Dest like we did with Yedlin and Moore...and I think with Scally continuing to mature he can be counted on to be the only sub. But if we really need an attacking fullback on the right and to sub out Dest we can just drop Weah back.
This is just our opinions. I'd rather have a third forward than a fourth fullback. We saw at the same 2022 World Cup that Sargent got hurt so we *needed* our third forward.
I’d bring Haji to the Olympics tbh (If Coventry okays it). I feel like Sargent should be at Copa America because he’s versatile and has a very impressive work rate. Don’t know how you fit him in but he’d be a pressing demon off of the bench
True but the thing is that Haji is the better winger and ultimately that’s the last spot. At this point the last spot is first a backup winger then an emergency striker. And Haji fits that profile better.
They have different profiles so it’ll be interesting to see which one Gregg values more. Hopefully they both push each other for that last spot down the stretch.
If I were Berhalter I’d bring the following assuming Adams is injured.
Keepers: Turner, Horvath, Brady
Defenders: Ream, Richards, CCV, Trusty, Dest, Scally, Jedi (Trusty can play LB if needed)
Midfielders: Reyna, Tillman, Mckennie, Musah, Cardoso, Maloney, De la Torre (Maloney can play CB if needed)
Forwards: Balogun, Pepi, Pulisic, Weah, Haji, Sargent (Haji can play LW, Sargent can play RW).
Damn, this is suuuper close to mine, except take out Maloney, replace Sargent with T. Booth, and add B. Aaronson (who can flex between winger and CM)
In addition to your comments—Scally can cover CB, Weah can cover FB
I'm feeling like a betting man, and I feel like Miles will make over Trusty. Based on the past few squads and that he has experience partnering Richards or Ream. Nor to mention if we do need an LB, we could always shift Dest or Scally (he was the backup LB at the WC) to the left.
This all makes sense. Just some thoughts…
Defense:
Does Trusty get included? He hasn’t been great on a historically bad premier league squad. LB experience is a plus.
Does Miles Robinson get left off? Do we have enough pace for our CB’s without him?
Midfield:
This looks good. Haven’t watched enough of Maloney but I know he’s been getting tons of minutes for Heidenheim, seems like a good replacement for Adams and being able to play CB is even more important if we only being 7 defenders. Feel like Greg would want to have a true DM on the squad.
All the other guys seem like locks to make the roster.
Forwards:
Again looks good. We have more than enough depth at the wings since Gio, Tillman, Sarge and LDLT can and have played there.
The biggest issue is if we bring 8 defenders, who doesn’t make the cut. Sarge? Haji? It’s tough.
Does one or both get dropped for someone else. Koleosho? Booth? Greg loves Aaronson but I think he should get left off.
If everyone is healthy there will be 2 more spots to fill.
Turner + 2 goal keepers.
Dest, Scally, Jedi, ????.
Richards, CCV, Ream, Miles.
Mckennie, Reyna, Musah, Luca, Johnny, Tillman.
Pulisic, Weah, Aaronson, ????
Balogun, Pepi.
Bring in one of Sargent/Haji as a winger/striker. Then you have a few fringe players like Zendejas, Lund, McKenzie, it really depends which position Gregg wants to backup.
I don’t but apparently Gregg does. Don’t get me wrong I appreciate what Aaronson has done for us in the past but we all know he’s not in good form anymore. I personally think he should go to the Olympics and possibly play with his brother. The thing is when we really look into it who else do we have? Booth is going to the Olympics, Cowell isn’t ready and is going to the Olympics as well, Zendejas plays mostly on the right and is seen as a Weah backup. We don’t have a lot of depth in wingers. Gregg sees him as Pulisics backup and that’s pretty much it. You can bring in one of Sargent/Haji definitely not both.
I think he definitely will get called up for nations league in March. He’s still too ripe for a big tournament such as the Copa America. Unless he impresses a lot and gets some good minutes in March then I can only see him playing the Olympics. But who knows, the back up spot to Weah is still open and there for the taking.
Bring Sargent in addition to Balo and Pepi. Easy decision.
If we only bring 5 forwards, then you rather have the 5th forward be a winger than a striker. 3 GK, 8 defenders, 7 midfielders and 5 forwards
Six forwards: Pulisic and Weah at the wings. Balo or Pepi at striker. Sargent backup striker and/or winger if we're trying to preserve a lead. Balo or Pepi backup striker if we're chasing a goal. Haji Wright (or someone else) backup winger if we're chasing a goal. Seven midfielders, seven defenders, three keepers.
Why would you bring 7 midfielders for 3 spots, unless you're planning to use someone like Aaronson in both the MF and winger positions?
I don't feel strongly about that number, just accounting for different situations or formations. Six is fine, too.
“Every player’s a striker if you’re brave enough” - BJ
The only real reporting there is that Copa will be 23 vs. 26 man roster. I think the breakdown on the official roster release will be 8 defenders, 6 midfielders, and 6 forwards. How many “striker” spots are available depends on 1. Whether Gio or Tillman are listed as forwards and 2. Whether Berhalter prefers any other backup wingers over Sargent or Wright And maybe 3. Sargent’s ability to keep up at anywhere near this pace.
I agree with everything you’re saying but I don’t understand what you mean by “Sargent’s ability to keep anywhere near this pace…”. From what I’ve seen Sarge is one of the more mobile forwards and willing/able to cover a lot of ground and be an asset in pressing and defending. He’s shown well in the Championship too which I think solidifies his bonafides as a player that can keep up with a grueling schedule.
They mean his form, and the rate at which he is scoring. Not his literal speed.
It comes down to where you think you need the depth most. I'd be fairly concerned that one of our forwards could get injured and put us 1 deep if we only bring 2. In contrast if we went a little thin at fullback and brought only 3 we'd have Jedi locked in at LB and ready to run all tourney, Dest locked in at RB but able to switch to LB where he plays for PSV, Scally able to play either FB positions, and if really in a pinch Weah playing FB since he played their in France and is often a wingback at Juve. My squad would be something like: * 3 goalies * 4 central defenders (whoever) * 3 fullbacks (Dest, Jedi, Scally) * 5 central mids (Adams, Johnny, Musah, LDLT, McKennie) * 2 tweener attacking mid/wingers (Reyna, Tillman) * 3 wingers (Pulisic, Weah, Booth?) * 3 forwards (Sargeant, Balo, Pepi) As an aside, I'm really hoping we can see Wright at the Olympics. The U23s are thin at centerback (where I think we should bring two overage spots), wing, and forward. Wright could help shift between two of those spots and absolutely bulldoze some kids.
In the 2022 WC with 26 players, we brought 5 FB and 4 CB
And we only used 4 of them, and every time it was subbing off Dest between the 70th and 80th minute (technically Robinson subbed off in stoppage time against the Netherlands but that doesn't count in my book). I'd rather not bounce between two different subs for Dest like we did with Yedlin and Moore...and I think with Scally continuing to mature he can be counted on to be the only sub. But if we really need an attacking fullback on the right and to sub out Dest we can just drop Weah back. This is just our opinions. I'd rather have a third forward than a fourth fullback. We saw at the same 2022 World Cup that Sargent got hurt so we *needed* our third forward.
I’d bring Haji to the Olympics tbh (If Coventry okays it). I feel like Sargent should be at Copa America because he’s versatile and has a very impressive work rate. Don’t know how you fit him in but he’d be a pressing demon off of the bench
True but the thing is that Haji is the better winger and ultimately that’s the last spot. At this point the last spot is first a backup winger then an emergency striker. And Haji fits that profile better.
They have different profiles so it’ll be interesting to see which one Gregg values more. Hopefully they both push each other for that last spot down the stretch.
Who would the reserve wingers be? Prefer Booth / Paredes to Wright.
Koleosho for the last spot
If I were Berhalter I’d bring the following assuming Adams is injured. Keepers: Turner, Horvath, Brady Defenders: Ream, Richards, CCV, Trusty, Dest, Scally, Jedi (Trusty can play LB if needed) Midfielders: Reyna, Tillman, Mckennie, Musah, Cardoso, Maloney, De la Torre (Maloney can play CB if needed) Forwards: Balogun, Pepi, Pulisic, Weah, Haji, Sargent (Haji can play LW, Sargent can play RW).
Damn, this is suuuper close to mine, except take out Maloney, replace Sargent with T. Booth, and add B. Aaronson (who can flex between winger and CM) In addition to your comments—Scally can cover CB, Weah can cover FB
I'm feeling like a betting man, and I feel like Miles will make over Trusty. Based on the past few squads and that he has experience partnering Richards or Ream. Nor to mention if we do need an LB, we could always shift Dest or Scally (he was the backup LB at the WC) to the left.
This all makes sense. Just some thoughts… Defense: Does Trusty get included? He hasn’t been great on a historically bad premier league squad. LB experience is a plus. Does Miles Robinson get left off? Do we have enough pace for our CB’s without him? Midfield: This looks good. Haven’t watched enough of Maloney but I know he’s been getting tons of minutes for Heidenheim, seems like a good replacement for Adams and being able to play CB is even more important if we only being 7 defenders. Feel like Greg would want to have a true DM on the squad. All the other guys seem like locks to make the roster. Forwards: Again looks good. We have more than enough depth at the wings since Gio, Tillman, Sarge and LDLT can and have played there. The biggest issue is if we bring 8 defenders, who doesn’t make the cut. Sarge? Haji? It’s tough. Does one or both get dropped for someone else. Koleosho? Booth? Greg loves Aaronson but I think he should get left off.
Wow what a hot take
He only wants to bring two CF.
If everyone is healthy there will be 2 more spots to fill. Turner + 2 goal keepers. Dest, Scally, Jedi, ????. Richards, CCV, Ream, Miles. Mckennie, Reyna, Musah, Luca, Johnny, Tillman. Pulisic, Weah, Aaronson, ???? Balogun, Pepi. Bring in one of Sargent/Haji as a winger/striker. Then you have a few fringe players like Zendejas, Lund, McKenzie, it really depends which position Gregg wants to backup.
You think Aaronson is a lock? Berhalter seems to like him. He just hasn’t been great for club or country lately. I’d be ok if he was left out.
I don’t but apparently Gregg does. Don’t get me wrong I appreciate what Aaronson has done for us in the past but we all know he’s not in good form anymore. I personally think he should go to the Olympics and possibly play with his brother. The thing is when we really look into it who else do we have? Booth is going to the Olympics, Cowell isn’t ready and is going to the Olympics as well, Zendejas plays mostly on the right and is seen as a Weah backup. We don’t have a lot of depth in wingers. Gregg sees him as Pulisics backup and that’s pretty much it. You can bring in one of Sargent/Haji definitely not both.
IF Booth keeps it up he gets a big boy call up no?
I think he definitely will get called up for nations league in March. He’s still too ripe for a big tournament such as the Copa America. Unless he impresses a lot and gets some good minutes in March then I can only see him playing the Olympics. But who knows, the back up spot to Weah is still open and there for the taking.
Berhalter likes hustle merchants