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A handful of former USA internationals have reported mixed feelings about the current squad ahead of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
As reported by Fox, ex-USA players have been giving their insight into how the national team will fare on the big stage. The USA are out of form heading to Qatar, with Gregg Berhalter’s side without a win in their last three matches.
The disappointing run began with a 1-1 CONCACAF Nations League draw with El Salvador, followed by a friendly 2-0 loss to Japan. Their latest game, a friendly against Saudi Arabia, ended in a goalless draw.
Moreover, worrying form at international level has now been combined with issues for many players at club level, namely injuries and a lack of playing time.
Star players Christian Pulisic and Sergino Dest have found minutes hard to come by this season for their respective clubs. The former seemingly cannot break into the fold at Chelsea, while Dest has featured very little for AC Milan since making a loan move from Barcelona.
Preferred goalkeeper Matt Turner has been Aaron Ramsdale’s deputy at Arsenal, while defenders Walker Zimmerman and Aaron Long were playing for clubs that were eliminated from the MLS playoffs earlier this month.
As for injuries, Timothy Weah has played just 65 minutes for Lille this season due to a foot injury. Fellow attacker Giovanni Reyna has also missed a large chunk of the current campaign through various injury struggles.
And Leeds’ midfielder Tyler Adams missed the club’s meeting with Fulham on Sunday due to a muscle problem. Such a situation has resulted in ex-USA professionals having negative feelings ahead of the major tournament this winter.
Ex-USA captain “definitely worried”
“I’m definitely worried,” said former USA goalkeeper and captain Kasey Keller. “There was nothing in those last two friendlies that was confidence building. We’re still seeing key players struggling with game time at the clubs.
“We’re seeing key players recovering from injuries, as well. There’s nothing about the preparation that should give you a lot of confidence.”
Former USA defender Alexi Lalas commented: “This is not a perfect team and I think Gregg Berhalter will be the first to say that. Ideally, you want your players playing and you want them playing well.”
Not all doom and gloom for USA
There is, however, some hope among former USA internationals that the current crop of players can have a successful tournament.
The likes of Reyna and Weston McKennie registered their first goals of the season for Borussia Dortmund and Juventus respectively over the weekend. FC Groningen striker Ricardo Pepi was also on the scoresheet for his side.
Brenden Aaronson meanwhile is enjoying a very strong individual campaign for Leeds in the Premier League.
Ex-USA midfielder Stu Holden has high hopes, saying: “I still have a belief in this team, based on what they’ve done in big moments in the past.
“When the pressure is the highest and in the big, big moments, under the lights, these guys have this confidence in themselves that will I think hold them in a good stead.”
Former USA captain Landon Donovan meanwhile suggested a strong start is crucial. He commented: “If it goes well early we could be a really dangerous team in this tournament.
“If it doesn’t, I could see it not going well at all. I don’t see too much of a middle ground just because young, inexperienced teams have the tendency to be really, really high and really good or really low.”
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