Reintegrating Gio Reyna, finding a place for Folarin Balogun and the seven decisions Gregg Berhalter must make as the USMNT look ahead to the Copa America
There's no clean slate as the coach returns for a second cycle, and he'll have a lot to work through as this run towards 2026 begins
The second Gregg Berhalter era is officially underway. Well, technically, it got underway this summer when U.S. Soccer confirmed the head coach would return for a second cycle. However, after missing out on the summer tournaments, he is officially taking over for his first camp back in charge. This is our first look at Berhalter Ball 2.0.
By opting to bring him back, U.S. Soccer made something of a statement: the program would not be undergoing a total rebuild, but rather undergo some tweaks. The foundation was laid during the 2022 World Cup cycle and Berhalter will now get to see it through to the 2026 tournament on home soil.
Still, this team is far from a finished product, and Berhalter is walking right back into a team with lingering problems from last cycle. So, what are the big decision Berhalter will have to make? GOAL takes a look…
Getty ImagesWhat to do tactically?
During the 2022 World Cup cycle, Berhalter was committed to a 4-3-3. There were some deviations, most notably the bold switch to a 4-4-2 against England at the World Cup but, by and large, it was a safe bet that the U.S. was going to come out in that favoured 4-3-3.
This summer, though, proved that the formation may not be the best one to maximize this team's talent, especially in moments like these when Tyler Adams isn't on the field.
In the Nations League, B.J. Callaghan leaned on a 4-2-3-1, inserting a No.10 into the fold with Adams out. Without a true No.6 in this camp, it seems that the U.S. could also turn to that system for these matches as Adams remains out.
The problem is that Gio Reyna, the starter in that position in the Nation League, is missing too. Malik Tillman seems like an obvious fit for that spot if Berhalter does want to go with it. Brenden Aaronson or Christian Pulisic could also tuck in if he wished.
When Reyna is healthy, playing a 4-2-3-1 is the best way to get the most out of him. However, it does mean taking one of Adams, Yunus Musah or Weston McKennie out of the XI. Is that something Berhalter is willing to do?
We won't truly find out this camp, but it's a storyline to keep an eye on over the next year or so.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesIntegrating Balogun
There's one big puzzle piece that Berhalter didn't have during his previous spell in charge: a No.9. Well, he surely has one now.
Folarin Balogun looks like the real deal, having offered a glimpse at his potential with a fantastic goal in the Nations League. After months of recruiting, the young striker has arrived, and he looks like the present and future of the national team.
Berhalter says he's already held good conversations with Balogun and is ready to tweak his system to get the best out of the newly-signed Monaco striker.
"I think with the national team, if you've seen how the ideas of the game model have evolved, to me, it's always about fitting to the players because you have a limited player pool," Berhalter said. "So with Flo, it's our obligation to work around what he can bring us because we know he's got a tremendous amount of talent.
"I've already talked to him about what he thinks his best skill sets are and how to get him involved and active. He's a very dynamic player running behind the line, good in the penalty box, so these are all things that we know are going to help our group be successful. We're very much open to working around the players and taking their strengths and integrating that into what we do."
Balogun won't just be handed the job, though. Ricardo Pepi is also in camp and is expecting to push the Monaco man for that starting spot. But, for now, all signs indicate that Balogun is the guy to start this cycle up and, barring a massive swing, will likely be start at the Copa America next summer.
GettySorting out the centerbacks
Even at age 35, Tim Ream almost certainly remains a go-to starter at centerback. He is essentially ageless for club or country as he joins the camp after scoring for Fulham against Manchester City. Despite his advanced years, Ream hasn't slowed down since returning to the fold for the World Cup, barring an injury last season.
Still, at some point, the U.S. will need to figure out the centerback situation, and all of those involved come with positives and negatives.
Chris Richards was magnificent during the summer, but is still finding playing time hard to come by at Crystal Palace. Miles Robinson has long looked ready for the top, but hasn't quite been able to seize that role due to that disastrous Achilles injury ahead of the World Cup. Mark McKenzie has done well on the club level, but hasn't yet convinced with the USMNT.
And those are just the centerbacks in this camp! Walker Zimmerman, Matt Miazga, Jalen Neal, Auston Trusty, Cameron Carter-Vickers and Erik Palmer-Brown are all very much in the pool, while youngsters like Brandan Craig and Josh Wynder could earn their chances at some point.
There are a lot of names there that Berhalter will somehow need to narrow down as he looks to find a consistent duo at some point this cycle.
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GettyThat pesky backup left-back spot
Throughout the 2022 World Cup cycle, the USMNT was looking for someone, anyone, to claim the backup left-back spot. Antonee Robinson was, and still is, the No.1 in that position but the U.S. needed someone that could play that role in case of emergency.
They never really found anyone. In those moments Robinson couldn't go, Sergino Dest was brought in on that side, reshuffling half of the defense as a result. This cycle, finding someone else to play that position is key, and there are several good contenders.
One is in camp for the first time: Kristoffer Lund. The Palermo defender recently completed a one-time switch to join the U.S., suggesting that the Stars and Stripes have high hopes for him.
Youngster Kevin Paredes is also in the squad and is someone that can play anywhere up and down the left-hand side. DeJuan Jones and John Tolkin had chances this summer and could get another run soon, while George Bello and Sam Vines are players that could step into the mix too.
No matter who it is, it needs to be someone. Robinson is an ironman, but even he needs a backup just in case.