Wow, USMNT is already back. This cycle's schedule is crazy and I imagine the players are already pretty sick of all the trans-Atlantic travel. Luckily, we're down to two matches in this window and won't have another three-match window until the final one in March. Here's the schedule for the November window:
Schedule
Friday, 11/12 - v. Mexico, 9:10 PM - TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, OH (ESPN2)
Tuesday, 11/16 - @ Jamaica, 5:00 PM - Independence Park, Kingston, Jamaica (unknown channel, probably Paramount+)
Reminder that Jamaica controls the kickoff time and it is subject to change. US Soccer will probably not change Mexico kick time this close to the match
Opponents
Obviously, Mexico is Mexico. Despite our results this summer, I think they are still the better team at this point. We got results based on trying hard and winning set pieces, which isn't necessarily sustainable. We certainly have the talent to hang with them, but they tend to look more cohesive. We generally get up for matches with Mexico and are at home, so I think we should feel good about a draw. A loss is not unlikely and I don't think it would be the end of the world in terms of qualifying.
We are finally going to get to see Jamaica with Michail Antonio and Leon Bailey. They are a pretty long shot to qualify at this point, but this match worries me. Antonio is currently rag-dolling Premier League centerbacks for fun every weekend and the pitches in Jamaica are generally...not ideal. I'm worried we'll be hungover from Mexico, whatever the result, and not be ready for Antonio's physicality. Jamaica had a couple chances last time and Antonio is not going to miss those. 3 points would be ideal here to make up for lost points in Panama. 1 is okay, but if that's coupled with dropping points against Mexico, it's not going to look great going into a 2+ month layoff.
Table
- USA - 14
- Mexico - 14
- Canada - 13
- Panama - 11
- Costa Rica - 6
- Jamaica - 6
- El Salvador - 6
- Honduras - 3
Mind the gap!
Injuries
- Gio Reyna - Injury sustained on USMNT duty in the September window. Original estimate was that he would be close to fit for the October window but he's apparently had a setback. At this point, just hope there aren't any more setbacks and he can get some minutes in for Dortmund before the late January window.
- Sergino Dest - Last minute injury picked up before Barcelona's Champions League match on Tuesday. I can't find any details on the actual injury or a timeline. He could be fine, but there's a possibility he won't even be on the roster. Edit - Dest will not play this weekend and will miss both upcoming USMNT matches
- Christian Pulisic - Came on as a sub for Chelsea's Champions League match on Tuesday after being sidelined since the Honduras match in September. Hopefully, he gets more minutes this weekend to get him back into form as much as possible before Mexico, but it's great news that he should be available for the USMNT roster.
That's all I can find for now. Possibility that there will be others with some midweek games still happening before the roster is announced, and there's always the possibility of changes after the fact.
Roster
Edit: Official squad
🚨 YOUR @USMNT 25-MAN ROSTER FOR MEXICO AND JAMAICA 🚨 pic.twitter.com/1xLDwg2xdU— USMNT Only (@usmntonly) November 4, 2021
Roster scheduled to be released Thursday, 11/4 at 11:30 AM. Will be posted here when official. Only "leak" I have found so far is that Kicker (a pretty reputable German source) is reporting that Joe Scally of Borussia Monchengladbach has been called up to the USMNT squad for this window. Since there are only two matches this time, I wouldn't be surprised if the squad is smaller than the last two. You just don't need 28 players for two matches. With that in mind, below is my best guess for the squad.
Roster Leaks - Per Roger Gonzalez of CBS, Joe Scally is getting his first call-up. Jesus Ferreira of FC Dallas is also on the roster (this is a good call - I forgot about him, but he's in very good form). He confirms Pulisic is back as well.
GKs: Turner, Steffen, Johnson
FBs: Yedlin, Scally, A. Robinson, Bello
CBs: M. Robinson, Brooks, Richards, Zimmerman, McKenzie
MFs: Adams, McKennie, Musah, Lletget, Acosta, Busio
Wings: Pulisic, Aaronson, Weah, Arriola
STs: Pepi, Zardes
That's 24. Could probably drop McKenzie or Zimmerman if they just want a 23. Maybe drop Busio and add Roldan since he can play on the wing. Keep in mind this is what I think Berhalter will do and not necessarily what I would recommend (cough...Arriola/Lletget).
Personally, I love watching USA-Mexico and that makes me very excited for this window. Regardless of the result, it's really fun soccer to watch. End-to-end, with nonstop action and a lot of poophousery. Hopefully the results are good, but keep in mind that these are both pretty tough matches.
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