2022 Qatar WC Roster Prediction #3

GK: 3

Zach Steffen (S), Matt Turner, Ethan Horvath

In the convo: Sean Johnson

Comments: Berhalter's decision to go to Steffen when Turner has been in form is telling.  Barring injury, Steffen will be the starter.  Amazing that Turner set the record with 9 shutouts in 2021.  Ethan Horvath will need to be playing regularly by the Fall to make this team.

Fullbacks: 4

RB: Sergino Dest (S), DeAndre Yedlin

LB: Antonee Robinson (S), Joe Scally

In the convo: Shaq Moore, George Bello, Bryan Reynolds, Sam Vines, DeJuan Jones

Comments: Dest and Robinson are clear cut starters, though Berhalter seems to trust Yedlin's experience as well.  Scally will show his quality and be capable at both fullback spots as well.

Centerbacks: 4

John Brooks (S), Chris Richards (S), Miles Robinson, Walker Zimmerman

In the convo: Matt Miazga, Mark McKenzie, Tim Ream, Aaron Long

Comments: I predict Brooks learns some humility and earns his way back onto the team and the field.  Zimmerman was one of the standouts at the end of 2021, but cools off by Qatar.  Long recovers from injury, but can't overtake Miles and Zimmerman who are the 2 best MLS defenders.

Midfielders: 5

Weston McKennie (S), Yunus Musah, Gianluca Busio

Def Mid: Tyler Adams (S), Kellyn Acosta

In the convo: Luca De La Torre, Eryk Williamson, Paxton Pomykal, James Sands, Sebastian Lletget 

Comments: 4 spots seem to set in stone.  MMA (McKennie, Musah, Adams) for sure, while Acosta played the most games in 2021.  Busio is making his mark in Italy.

Wingers: 5

Christian Pulisic (S), Giovanni Reyna (S), Tim Weah (S), Brendan Aaronson, Jordan Morris

In the convo: Konrad De La Fuente, Nicholas Gioacchini, Paul Arriola, Matthew Hoppe, Cristian Roldan

Comments: The top 4 are pretty clear - Captain America, son of former Captain America, son of Liberia Pres, and son of Aaron.  Should he stay healthy, I think Jordan's pace is too attractive to Berhalter to pass up.

Strikers: 2

Ricardo Pepi (S), Daryl Dike

In the convo: Gyasi Zardes, Jordan Pefok, Nicholas Gioacchini, Josh Sargent, Jesus Ferreira

Comments: We're holding our breath that Pepi will find his groove in Deutschland.  Behind him, Zardes is probably Berhalter's favorite and Sargent is the only plying his trade in the EPL.  However, Sargent will probably be down in Championship next year, and Dike's physicality brings an option to the team that we are otherwise lacking.

Starters:

-----------------Pepi---------------

Pulisic--------Reyna--------Weah

----------McKennie----------------

----------------Adams--------------

Robinson-Brooks-Richards-Dest

---------------Steffen----------------

I'm still holding out hope that Reyna can be an attacking midfielder and allow us to get Puli and Weah on the wings.