sport news USMNT'S WORLD CUP SQUAD LADDER: Who's on the plane to Qatar? trends now
With just under a month to go until the United States Men's National Team releases its roster for the 2022 World Cup, it's important to establish where each of those players are in the hierarchy.
There are players who have been constantly fighting for a spot. There are those who are locks for the plane. There are those who have been given a number of chances, but haven't been able to be consistent.
All in all, this will serve as a baseline for where the players on the USMNT roster currently stand.
This isn't an indicator of how good players are for their club, nor is it an indicator of where people are guaranteed to be in the hierarchy. It's more of an idea of who Gregg Berhalter will take.
This is a way for those to understand where the USA stands ahead of matches in the group stage against a tough bunch of squads, including England, Iran, and Wales.
The USMNT under Gregg Berhalter (foreground) has a lot of work ahead of the World Cup
In the last matches before Qatar, the US lost to Japan & embarrassingly drew with Saudi Arabia
After a disappointing showing in September, can the USMNT pull it together at the World Cup?
1. Tyler Adams
While there will be a good debate over whether or not Adams is better than Pulisic, it's not a debate over which of the two has done a better job of what's being asked of them. Adams is possibly the best leader on this team, he's crucial to the attacking buildup, and he keeps the defense in line. His ticket to Qatar should be the first one booked.
2. Christian Pulisic
While he is a dynamic player on offense, Pulisic's job is to be a goal scoring option. He hasn't scored a goal since a friendly win over Morocco. Pulisic can be forgiven seeing as his mojo is off with a lack of playing time at Chelsea, but that means he won't be taking the top spot.
3. Weston McKennie
Despite a few mistakes in the most recent games, there is no better box-to-box option in the USMNT pool than Weston McKennie. He's as critical to the team as the two players ahead of him and should start every game at the World Cup barring anything unforeseen.
Weston McKennie has an undeniable impact on game and should start every match in Qatar
4. Walker Zimmerman
As far as starting center backs go, Walker Zimmerman has handled the loss of his typical partner very well. With Miles Robinson injured, Zimmerman has worked alongside a number of different players at left center back. You can debate whether or not that experimentation has worked, but Zimmerman has remained a rock.
5. Yunus Musah
The Saudi Arabia and Japan matches proved how important the Valencia youngster is to the USA's system. Once he's back and healthy, he should be starting in the midfield again.
6. Jesus Ferreira
While the striker position has been the most scrutinized, Ferreira is - as of now - the clearest option up front. He's scored the most goals with the national team this year and finished top-five in scoring this past MLS season. Ferreira should start for the first game, though other options mentioned below need to be utilized.
7. Sergino Dest
He'll get the start at right back, but his use at the left hasn't been as stellar. That's more of a Berhalter problem than it is Dest's, so when all the defense gets back and healthy, we should see the AC Milan starlet in use in his natural position.
Sergino Dest is the clear cut starter for the USMNT at right back going into the games in Qatar
8. Matt Turner
After earning the start for the CONCACAF Gold Cup and leading the USMNT to the title, there hasn't been much of a debate as to who should start between the posts at the World Cup. Turner has reinforced that with great cup performances for Arsenal and solidified his spot as the No. 1 keeper for the United States.
9. Antonee 'Jedi' Robinson
He's been injured, but he's been integral for Fulham when he's been playing and is the undisputed starter at left back for the USMNT. While we saw Dest being deputized at left back in his absence, it's clear that Jedi is the first-choice option here.
10. Brenden Aaronson
While it's smart to start Aaronson, the question becomes where should he be put on the field. Seeing as he's done very well with Jesse Marsch in a more advanced position, Aaronson starting at right wing makes perfect sense.
Using Brenden Aaronson at right wing would be a great way to get him into the starting XI
11. Aaron Long
Is Long truly the second best center back on this list? It's tough to say, but were it not for injuries to one specific player at No. 35 further down this list, Long might be at the edges of this team. However, Berhalter seems convinced that he's the perfect compliment to Zimmerman in this starting lineup.
12. Kellyn Acosta
While there are other midfielders that will probably be starting ahead of Acosta, it's likely he'd be the first substitute on the field. But if there's someone in the midfield in need of rest, expect Acosta to start and fill their role.
13. Gio Reyna
He left the match against Saudi Arabia as a preventative measure with an issue in his leg, but it didn't seem to be too major of a problem. Reyna was back playing for Dortmund in their mid-week game against Sevilla in the Champions League last week.
14. Ricardo Pepi
He may finally be scoring for Groningen, but he hasn't done anything for the United States since 2021. Berhalter seems insistent that Pepi gets as many chances as possible. That could be due to a perceived sense of guilt at helping Pepi move to Augsburg, where he failed to impress.
At this rate, despite the evidence proving he shouldn't be there, it seems like he'll be going to Qatar anyways. He won't be starting considering Ferreira has taken the lead in the American No. 9 race.
Pepi is a good player, no doubt. But the spot he currently has in the team should go to someone like Pefok who has been performing more consistently at a higher level.
Even though his goal output has dropped, Berhalter seems to favor forward Ricardo Pepi
15. Jordan Morris
Is Morris a starter on this USMNT team? No. Is he an important presence off the bench? Yes. Berhalter has turned to Morris numerous times off the bench and he's done pretty well for himself in those moments.
Even though his goal production both in Seattle and on this team is down, Morris should be considered safe for the World Cup. He brings a good veteran presence on what will most likely be the youngest team going to Qatar.
16. Luca de la Torre
LDLT has had four starts for the United States this year, but he's yet to make a start for his club team, Celta Vigo. At the end of the day, considering players like Acosta have more starts and more appearances, it feels that De la Torre hasn't made enough of an impression to make the team to crack a starting lineup.
That being said, Berhalter seems comfortable with using him off the bench, so his ticket to Qatar seems to have been booked already.
17. Reggie Cannon
The Boavista right back may be fighting with Dest for a starting job, but it's not likely that him losing out to the Milan defender will cost him a trip to Qatar. Even with other competitors on this list, Cannon is good enough in his own right that he'll be on the flight.
18. Cameron Carter-Vickers
CCV has done very well for Celtic this season, but unfortunately, he's right footed and that spot is occupied by Zimmerman. However, if something terrible happened to Zimmerman, Carter-Vickers could easily step into his role and start for the USMNT.
Cameron Carter-Vickers (20) has done well this season with Celtic, earning a spot on the plane
19. Joe Scally
Scally's performance off the bench against Saudi Arabia was one of the few bright spots from that match. It should be enough for him to be able to start packing
