The first post-Gregg Berhalter U.S. roster is certainly attention-grabbing, due to both its inclusions and exclusions
There are numerous new faces in the U.S. men's national team squad, but the big takeaways are the few that are missing. That group includes established regulars, stars such as Weston McKennie and Antonee Robinson. More importantly, the missing includes the USMNT's coach, or at least the soon-to-be coach.
After falling short at the Copa America, the U.S. is now set for this team's first friendlies of the post-Gregg Berhalter era. They'll come against Canada and New Zealand in the next week, but the new era won't properly kick off this September. Instead, the U.S. will tread water just a bit until the reported hire of Mauricio Pochettino finally gets over the line.
For now, the job falls to Mikey Varas, who will take charge of the USMNT on an interim basis. He will start the process of picking up the pieces, but he knows he won't be finishing it. How does that impact this camp? What can the U.S. do to get something, anything, out of this brief time in limbo?
We'll find out in a few days but, for now, Varas is in charge, and he'll be leading an interesting squad. Robinson's exclusion is about rest, which is tough but understandable. McKennie's absence, meanwhile, is a bit more headline-worthy. And while those exclusions are notable, the inclusions are also compelling – several new faces will look to make their claim less than two years out from a World Cup.
What should fans be watching out for in USMNT camp? GOAL names the winners and losers of this squad announcement.
Getty ImagesWINNER: Auston Trusty
Right or wrong, Auston Trusty was the odd man out all too often under Berhalter. This camp is proof, though, that the slate is completely wiped clean. For Trusty, that's very good news.
The centerback race is generally pretty open, particularly with veteran Tim Ream slowing down. The Charlotte FC defender is still in the team for now but, at some point, Father Time will show his face. Who will take that spot? Could it be Trusty?
He faces competition, to be fair. Mark McKenzie is in the mix, as is Trusty's new Celtic teammate, Cameron Carter-Vickers. Even if Trusty doesn't win a starting spot, just being back in a camp is a considerable step forward considering he hasn't been involved since June 2023.
Now's the time to prove it for Trusty, who is being given the chance to take full advantage of this regime switch.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesLOSER: Weston McKennie
Aside from January camps, it's been a while since there's been a legitimate USMNT camp without Weston McKennie. He was absent in March 2022 due to injury but, aside from that, he's largely been ever-present for this team.
Not this time. McKennie was surprisingly left out of the squad but, realistically, it does make sense. Varas explained the decision saying that McKennie needs more fitness and minutes, and staying at Juventus will get him closer to that.
"In the case of Weston McKennie he wasn't able to do a full preseason," Varas said, "so the best thing for him in collaboration with player, club and country is to leave him at Juventus and let him catch up and get ready for his season."
Even so, it's unfortunate for McKennie, who relishes these moments in a national team shirt. For now, though, the focus is getting into Thiago Motta's plans at the club level and, once that happens, hope everything else can fall back into place.
(C)Getty ImagesWINNER: The young goalkeepers
Matt Turner's place as USMNT No. 1 is far from safe and, if this roster is any indication, the U.S. could get younger in goal quickly.
Diego Kochen is in for his first USMNT camp, which represents a massive leap for the young Barcelona product. The 18-year-old goalkeeper is uncapped and has yet to even play a senior game, but it seems he'll get a chance to at least integrate into the team this fall.
"Diego will be his first time with the senior national team," Varas said. "He’s a young player playing for Barcelona B that we see as a high-potential player. This is an opportunity for him to come in and not only compete with the senior team, but also get an amazing experience so that we can keep building for our future.”
Patrick Schulte is a player closer to the senior level, having already earned one camp while also serving as the Olympics starter for the U23 squad that reached the quarterfinals. Schulte was a breakout star in MLS this season and is now right on the precipice of a USMNT role. Now's his chance to push for it.
The guard is changing in goal and, even if Turner holds that No. 1 spot, the backup and third-string role seems tailor-made for the new generation. There is one young goalkeeper, though, that was left off the list.
USA Today SportsLOSER: Gaga Slonina
It's unfortunately the negative effect of playing in League One. Young goalkeeper Gaga Slonina would seem like a great call-up for this U.S. group, but his club situation will keep him in England.
Barnsley, unfortunately, play through the international break, as does the rest of League One. As a result, Slonina is needed on the club level, which almost certainly played a part in his status for this particular camp.
That's unlucky for Slonina, who could have used this opportunity after backing up Schulte at the Olympics. It's an easy argument to say that Slonina has the highest upside of any USMNT goalkeeper but, at just 20, he hasn't quite had a chance to show that upside.
He won't this camp, either, which means his hopes of pushing for that No. 1 spot will have to wait.