[ad_1]
The manager of the United States men’s national team, Gregg Berhalter, said the United States Soccer Federation is trying to schedule one more game for his team before the end of the year.
Speaking to reporters ahead of Monday’s friendly against Panama in Wiener Neustadt, Austria, Berhalter hinted that the game would take place in the United States and would primarily include domestic players.
– Stream ESPN FC daily on ESPN + (US only)
– US Big Board: Who will join Pulisic, McKennie in Qatar
“We’re trying to play in December, hopefully it gets done,” Berhalter said. “But [Monday’s match] It will certainly be the last time this group meets this year. And every time we are together, what we emphasize to them is that we want to compete to win games.
“So we’re on the field against a CONCACAF opponent and we want to win the game, and that’s what it boils down to. I think we want to end this experience with the group on a high note.”
Berhalter indicated that he would not participate in much of the squad rotation of the team that drew 0-0 at Wales last Thursday. Berhalter said the US would only have two more chances, the international window in March and the final of the CONCACAF Nations League in June, to rally its first-choice team before qualifying for the World Cup begins. World next September.
For that reason, the emphasis on Monday will be on establishing chemistry rather than looking at more players on the current roster.
“Basically, we’re going to have four more games together after this game, and that’s a small number,” Berhalter said. “For us, it’s crucial that we make the guys play together, that the guys feel comfortable with each other.”
Berhalter did reveal some details about his plans against Panama. He said that Boavista right-back Reggie Cannon would start the match, and that on Monday he would go with a more traditional center forward, as opposed to the false nine that was used against Wales.
That could pave the way for either a Nicholas Gioacchini or Sebastian Soto to get extended minutes, though Berhalter noted that there has been a period of adjustment in what is the first senior team camp for both players.
“They are doing well,” Berhalter said of Gioacchini and Soto. “I think the level has gone up a little bit and these are guys getting used to it. I think they hit the ball really well. Sebastian’s movement is good behind the line and Nicholas is a little more powerful.
“I think they both have good attributes and now it’s about them getting used to what we are doing and reaching the speed of this level, because it is a different speed. I’m sure there will be an opportunity for those guys.”
Source: espn.co.uk
[ad_2]
