Today FIFA announced an expansion of World Cup rosters from 23 to 26 spots (as well as confirmation of 5 substitutions per game).
GK: 3
Matt Turner (S), Zack Steffen, Ethan Horvath
In the convo: Sean Johnson
Comments: Matt's shot-stopping ability helps him make a mark at Arsenal. It's possible that our top 3 GKs will all be riding the pine in England in the fall. If they don't get much playing time, Sean can easily snag the last spot.
Fullbacks: 4
RB: Sergino Dest (S), Reggie Cannon
LB: Antonee Robinson (S), Sam Vines
In the convo: DeAndre Yedlin, Shaq Moore, George Bello, Bryan Reynolds, Joe Scally
Comments: Dest and Jedi are clear-cut starters for us here. Cannon provides CB insurance as well. Scally was a bit of a disappointment in June, and may have missed his chance to impress. Yedlin was a tough cut, but his form has dipped in the MLS and both Adams and Acosta can fill in at RB in a pinch.
Centerbacks: 5
Walker Zimmerman (S), Chris Richards (S), Aaron Long, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Erik Palmer-Brown
In the convo: Matt Miazga, Mark McKenzie, Tim Ream, John Brooks
Comments: With Miles' injury, Aaron Long's spot is now likely secured. CCV has made an impressive return to the fold, while John Brooks seems to be firmly out of the national team picture after not getting called up in June. I still don't understand why we wouldn't consider Tim Ream, captain of Fulham at CB (not LB!), as veteran presence on the team.
Midfielders: 6
Central Mid: Weston McKennie (S), Yunus Musah (S), Luca De La Torre, Djordje Mihailovic
Def Mid: Tyler Adams (S), Kellyn Acosta
In the convo: Gianluca Busio, Eryk Williamson, Paxton Pomykal, James Sands, Malik Tillman
Comments: MMA (McKennie, Musah, Adams) are still most likely to start, while Acosta is the only trusted backup at def mid. Luca has finally emerged as a playmaking central mid and Djordje will continue his hot MLS form. Aaronson and Reyna are also candidates to play central mid.
Wingers/Forwards: 6
Christian Pulisic (S), Tim Weah (S), Giovanni Reyna, Brendan Aaronson, Paul Arriola, Jordan Morris
In the convo: Konrad De La Fuente, Nicholas Gioacchini, Matthew Hoppe, Cristian Roldan
Comments: No changes for top 4 - Captain America, son of former Captain America, son of Liberia President, and son of Aaron. Morris hasn't shown his previous explosiveness, but the additional roster spot allows Berhalter to bring him along with fellow MLS attacker, Arriola.
Strikers: 2
Daryl Dike (S), Josh Sargent
In the convo: Haji Wright, Ricardo Pepi, Jesus Ferreira, Jordan Pefok, Gyasi Zardes
Comments: This position will be about who is scoring goals for their club come Oct/Nov timeframe. Some wild guessing going on here. Ferreira's form in the MLS tails off while both Dike and Sargent find their footing in the Championship.
Starters:
-------------Dike---------------
Pulisic---------------------Weah
------McKennie----Musah-------
----------------Adams--------------
Jedi-Richards-Zimmerman-Dest
---------------Turner----------------
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