USMNT
Know the Score: How the USMNT creates goals
Gregg Berhalter was hired just a little over 3 years ago. In that time, he’s put up fairly impressive numbers and won two major trophies for the US Men’s National time. Just over halfway through qualifying for the Qatar World Cup, it’s a good time to review his performance as a head coach.
https://twitter.com/USMNT/status/1466423721435054091
What can we learn from the USMNT if we just look at the 96 goals that have been scored under Gregg’s watch? There’s a lot of interesting information to be gleaned. It doesn’t have the depth of detail that shots or other detailed data might have but each goal is in and of itself a crucial moment and an encapsulation of the team’s approach.
To analyse these goals I went back through video of each one. I did my best to categorize the phase of possession in which they were scored as well as the key events leading up to them, and the players that performed those events. This can help us see who makes the biggest contribution to the USMNT offense.
First, a little bit of a glossary to explain the terms I’m using.
The phase of possession describes what is happening on the field during the goal. A direct attack started in the USA half before moving quickly into the opponent third and creating the goal before the defense can be settled. A transition moment is when the attacking move started in the opponent half, whether through a turnover or winning a 50/50 or aerial duel. In some cases I have included long carries as well. In these cases the defense was still disorganized like in a direct attack. Breaking down a set defense is what it sounds like – the defense was able to recover and pack the box, and the USMNT had to break them down.
The key event is the action that caused the defensive breakdown that led to the shooting opportunity. This is not necessarily the final or penultimate action, but the most important one to create the goal. Possession Play in this case means that there was no specific standout event, but a series of passes to create the opportunity.
The key pass/action is the final action before the shot. If a player passes to the shooter, that’s the key pass. In some cases, that’s not a pass; it’s a foul, a carry, or something else. The assists in the chart above do not track with official statistics – just creating the opportunity gives you an “assist”, it does not have to be a pass.
General Observations
First, the transition Berhalter has made over time away from using long balls to create offense is obvious. Berhalter favored Michael Bradley, Will Trapp, and even Jackson Yueill early on, but has moved away from that style to make room for players like Tyler Adams and Kellyn Acosta.
Instead, there has been a clear increase in scoring from turnovers. This tracks with personnel choices and a general increase in the high press. The press always been a part of Berhalter’s approach, but for whatever reason turnovers been a major source of goals in 2021. Part of it is the personnel, but I think there is a growing level of tactical maturity with the coaches and players as well.
Also of note is that the USMNT is showing an ability to break down better opponents. This has always been a criticism of the Berhalter system – creativity is not prioritized in the midfield and forwards, and at times the team has seemed helpless against a tough, organized defense.
Looking more closely into the actions directly preceding a goal is interesting as well. As a bit of prior reading, I can’t recommend the Where Goals Come From series enough. The three most productive key actions are crosses from the end line, cutbacks, and layoffs. Cutbacks and end line crosses can appear similar but I drew a line between them. For me, cutbacks are passes that are both low to the ground and moving away from the goal. A layoff is a short pass in the penalty box from one attacking player to another.
Cutbacks are a very efficient means of creating scoring chances, with a high conversion rate from the subsequent shot. We have seen the USMNT trying to create cutbacks intentionally – think the way Tim Weah attacked Mexico in the World Cup Qualifying matchup.
If there’s any criticism to the approach, it’s that the over reliance on attacks from outside (cutbacks and crosses) means that the most dangerous pass, the through ball, is a little under represented. Being able to create scoring chances for forwards and wingers with balls between defenders will help add variety in the attack.
Who Creates Goals?
Who are the best players when it comes to scoring or creating goals against quality opposition?
If we limit it to just opponents who had an Elo rating of 1600 or more, that filters out most of the weak opponents that offer little resistance.
The first thing to notice is that Sebastian Lletget leads the team in goals or goal creating actions. That seems counterintuitive for all the complaining about his place on the team, but it makes sense. Lletget is actually good in the final third; it’s just when he is asked to help out in buildup or ball progression that he struggles. He’s also played the most minutes against this band of opponents by a fair margin.
Pulisic, Reyna, Pepi, and Weah stand out as major contributors. The challenge for Berhalter is finding a way to get all four of these players on the field at the same time. Lewis and Gioacchini have also done well but in very limited minutes, so it is hard to draw too many conclusions from that.
Sargent has not contributed to a goal against a decent opponent, despite having 380 minutes to do so. I think that he has to figure out how to make an impact before we see him on the field much more for the USMNT.
The midfield is the biggest area that needs improvement. Musah is the most promising, averaging a goal creating action in just under every two games. McKennie struggles to create goals, as does Adams. Roldan surprised me; I hardly remember any contributions from him but he has helped create 3 goals in just 637 minutes against quality opponents. Still, that is a lower rate than when he plays for Seattle. This is an area where Gregg needs to experiment.
Wrapping it up
There are plenty of limitations to this approach to analyzing Berhalter’s system, but it can still highlight some potential issues. As Berhalter begins to prepare this team for a qualifying stretch run, there are questions that need to be answered and squad weaknesses that need to be addressed to have the team operating at its highest level.
Club News
The constructing of a World Cup roster
Thomas Deschaine (@uskeeper on X and us_keeper on Instagram)
With the September FIFA window now in the rearview mirror, and only three more windows left before final rosters are set in late May or early June 2026, Mauricio Pochettino has drawn a clear line.
He’s stated that September’s camp was the “last camp to have the possibility for new faces.”
If we take him at his word, the nearly 70 players who’ve been called across six camps and the Gold Cup will form the pool from which he selects the 2026 World Cup squad.
Of the 60 players named to the 2025 Gold Cup provisional roster, only five, Maxi Dietz, Richie Ledezma, Tim Tillman, Caleb Wiley, and Griffin Yow, have yet to appear on a #USMNT roster under Pochettino.
Comparing the 2025 Nations League provisional roster to the Gold Cup list reveals over a dozen different players, raising the question: are these minor differences simply the edges of the player pool Pochettino intends to draw from?
Goalkeepers
Nine goalkeepers have been called into Pochettino’s camps, but it’s clear that Matt Freese is his first-choice right now, with Matt Turner likely the No. 2 as we sit just 10 months from the World Cup.
- Chris Brady
- Drake Callender
- Roman Celentano
- Matt Freese
- Ethan Horvath
- Jonathan Klinsmann
- Diego Kochen
- Patrick Schulte
- Zack Steffen
- Matt Turner
Fullbacks
Outside of Sergiño Dest and Antonee Robinson, the USMNT’s fullback depth remains a concern. Pochettino appears high on MLS defenders Alex Freeman and Max Arfsten, while Caleb Wiley, though yet to feature in a USMNT camp but named to recent provisional rosters, could still be on his depth chart.
- Max Arfsten
- Sergino Dest
- Alex Freeman
- Marlon Fossey
- DeJuan Jones
- Kristoffer Lund
- Shaquell Moore
- Antonee Robinson
- Joe Scally
- John Tolkin
Centerbacks
Center back remains another position with uncertain depth. Chris Richards and the veteran Tim Ream look like locks for now, leaving three spots up for grabs. If Pochettino opts for a back three, that tactical shift could influence which players ultimately make the cut. Notably, Jackson Ragen and Maxi Dietz are the only center backs from the recent provisional rosters who haven’t been called into a USMNT camp.
- Noahkai Banks
- Tristan Blackmon
- George Campbell
- Cameron Carter-Vickers
- Mark McKenzie
- Tim Ream
- Chris Richards
- Miles Robinson
- Auston Trusty
- Walker Zimmerman
Central Midfielders
The central midfield position is the deepest for the #USMNT, with many players in the pool capable of also playing fullback, center back, or winger. Although Richie Ledezma has primarily played as a right back and right wing-back for his current club and for PSV last season, USMNT coaches view him primarily as a midfielder. This likely explains why he hasn’t yet been called into a USMNT camp.
- Tyler Adams
- Sebastian Berhalter
- Gianluca Busio
- Johnny Cardoso
- Ben Cremaschi
- Luca de la Torre
- Emeka Eneli
- Jack McGlynn
- Weston McKennie
- Aidan Morris
- Yunus Musah
- Tanner Tessmann
- Sean Zawadzki
Attacking Midfielders
There are several players at this position who could add real quality and play pivotal roles for the #USMNT at next summer’s World Cup. Gio Reyna remains a major question mark, but his talent is undeniable. With his recent club change, there’s hope he can return to the high level of form we’ve seen from him in the past.
- Brenden Aaronson
- Paxten Aaronson
- Brian Gutiérrez
- Djordje Mihailovic
- Matko Miljevic
- Gio Reyna
- Malik Tillman
Wingers
The winger position remains thin for the #USMNT, though several players there can also slot in as attacking midfielders, strikers, or even fullback. Notably, two young wingers, Cole Campbell and Griffin Yow, appeared on provisional rosters but have yet to be called into any Pochettino camp.
- Cade Cowell
- Diego Luna
- Christian Pulisic
- Quinn Sullivan
- Indiana Vassilev
- Tim Weah
- Haji Wright
- Alejandro Zendejas
Strikers
Another area of concern for the USMNT is striker depth. While the top options have all produced well for their clubs when healthy, injuries have kept the pool thin. If everyone is fit, the primary competition for the starting role likely comes down to three players: Folarin Balogun, Ricardo Pepi, and Josh Sargent. Haji Wright and Tim Weah can also step in as center-forward options if needed.
- Patrick Agyemang
- Folarin Balogun
- Damion Downs
- Jesus Ferreira
- Ricardo Pepi
- Josh Sargent
- Brandon Vazquez
- Brian White
Conclusion
It’s tough to read Pochettino’s mindset right now. Many expect fewer MLS players to be called for the October window, partly because the league continues through FIFA dates and the regular season ends mid-October.
Most World Cup rosters largely select themselves, with only a few surprising omissions, think of the 1994 squad, which left out several players many felt deserved a spot.
But with Pochettino still showing a shaky grasp of the USMNT player pool, this cycle could produce more notable snubs than ever, though there’s still time for him to get it right.
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Concacaf Gold Cup is becoming tarnished
Thomas Deschaine (@uskeeper on X and us_keeper on Instagram)
Not long ago, winning your confederation’s tournament earned a spot in the FIFA Confederations Cup, a prestigious competition held in the World Cup host nation the summer before the world’s biggest tournament.
The tournament featured the champions of all six confederations (AFC, CAF, CONCACAF, CONMEBOL, OFC, and UEFA), along with the reigning FIFA World Cup winner and the host nation, rounding out the field to eight teams. The tournament was last played in 2017.
The Concacaf Gold Cup is a semi-cycle tournament played in the first and third years of the cycle. The CAF Africa Cup of Nations is the only other confederation that plays two tournaments a cycle, and in many circles, the frequency of the Concacaf Gold Cup and the addition of the Concacaf Nations League has made the Gold Cup a throwaway tournament for the USMNT, as it’s been six years since the so called A list player pool has played in the event.
It raises the question for FIFA and Concacaf: should the Gold Cup be played once a cycle, and should FIFA consider bringing back the Confederations Cup?
The USMNT won the inaugural Gold Cup in 1991 and has claimed seven of the 17 editions since. Only two other CONCACAF nations Mexico (9) and Canada (1)—have lifted the trophy, and both are contenders in this edition.
The USMNT has a strong track record at the Gold Cup, finishing first in their group every year except 2011. They’ve reached 12 finals, with a record of 69 wins, 12 draws, and 9 losses, scoring 189 goals and conceding just 60
Gold Cup Player Stats
Across 17 editions of the Gold Cup, the USMNT has netted 189 goals, conceded just 60, and recorded 50 clean sheets. Here’s a look at the players who made it happen, those who found the back of the net, and those who kept it out.
Goals
18-Landon Donovan
13-Clint Dempsey
9-Eric Wynalda
8-Brian McBride
7-Jesus Ferreira
Assists
16-Landon Donovan
7-Michael Bradley
6-DaMarcus Beasley
6-Alejandro Bedoya
6-Eric Wynalda
5-Clint Dempsey
Wins
17-Kasey Keller
11-Tim Howard
8-Tony Meola
7-Matt Turner
Shutouts
14-Kasey Keller
8-Tim Howard
6-Tony Meola
6-Matt Turner
Captain
10-Michael Bradley
10-Kasey Keller
9-Carlos Bocanegra
8-Tony Meola
7-Claudio Reyna
Gold Cup Manager Stats
Over the past 34 years, the USMNT has reached 12 of the 17 Gold Cup finals under the leadership of seven different managers. Here’s a look at how each of them performed.
Matches Coached
25-Bruce Arena
18-Bob Bradley
12-Gregg Berhalter
12-Jurgen Klinsmann
10-Bora Milutinovic
8-Steve Sampson
5-B.J. Callaghan
Matches Won
19-Bruce Arena – GF-52-, GA-14
14-Bob Bradley – GF-34, GA-17
11-Gregg Berhalter – GF-26, GA-3
9-Jurgen Klinsmann – GF-32, GA-9
8-Bora Milutinovic – GF-15, GA-8
6-Steve Sampson – GF-14, GA-5
2-B.J. Callaghan – GF-16, GA-4
Gold Cup Trophies
3-Bruce Arena
1-Gregg Berhalter
1-Bob Bradley
1-Jurgen Klinsmann
1-Bora Milutinovic
Conclusion
In the future, U.S. Soccer and the USMNT should clearly communicate roster expectations for the Gold Cup, especially if a full A-list squad is not planned. Transparency on this front is essential, as it directly affects fan interest and attendance.
The constructing of a World Cup roster
Launching Caring Excellence in Northern Kentucky
Concacaf Gold Cup is becoming tarnished
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