USMNT November Camp

The United States Mens National Team were FINALLY back in action this past week. It was the first time that the band got together since COVID-19 hit, last playing an international match on Feb. 1 when they beat Costa Rica 1-0.

The boys in red, white, and blue first played Wales last Thursday, whom they tied 0-0. A boring scoreline indeed, however the game was against a decent European side and US fans were able to draw a lot of positive things from the match. 

Fans were also able to note that we need to play a striker to score goals. Head coach Greg Berhalter elected to start LA Galaxy attacking midfielder Sebastian Lletget in a false-9 role, which in some ways was reason for the lack of attacking creativity in this matchup. 

Berhalter seemed to hear the cries of US fans before the second game against Panama, starting 20 year old Caen striker Nicholas Gioacchini. Gioacchini earned a brace in his USMNT debut, scoring the goal that put the U.S. ahead 2-1 and then his second right after to make it 3-1. 

Coming out of the break with a 3-1 lead, The USMNT didn't look back. The U.S. ran away with the game in the second half, with two goals from substitute Sebastian Soto and one goal from Lletget, who came off the bench in the 76th minute. 

The matched against CONCACAF opponents finished 6-2 in the U.S.'s favor, proving that the young squad can handle business when it comes to the teams they need to beat in order to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

There was a new sense of excitement around USMNT fans when coach Greg Berhalter announced his squad list for the international friendlies against Wales and Panama.

Berhalter definitely has his sights set on the future, selecting a roster far different from ones that U.S. soccer fans are used to seeing. Berhalter picked a very young and potential filled team, with the average age being on 21 years old and many of which had never earned a cap for their national team.   

This list of exciting young talent includes, then 17 year-old Borussia Dortmund star Gio Reyna. Reyna, who was aged 17 at the time of his debut against Wales, has appeared in all seven games that Dortmund has played this season, scoring one goal and assisting three. Reyna scored his first goal for the USMNT this international friendly break, a sweet free-kick goal against Panama.

Another up and coming 17 year-old Yunus Musah also received his first call up to the USMNT. Musah, who was born in New York City to Ghanaian parents, plays in the much needed position of right wing and has recently found his role in La Liga's Va

Other stars who earned their first cap includes Konrad De La Fuente, 19 year old forward at Barcelona, Chris Richards, 20 year old center-back who plays for European champions Bayern Munich, and Richy Ledezema, midfielder from PSV who got two assists against Panama. 

The future proves bright for the USMNT, with an astounding 10 players currently playing in this year's Champions League campaign. Other players such as Sergino Dest, Weston McKinnie, and Christian Pulisic help the idea of 2022-2026 back-to-back World Cup Champions seem not too far off. 

Well maybe a little, but I can dream.