USMNT
Gaslight
The USMNT has qualified for the 2022 World Cup. But was the entire qualification campaign a giant exercise in world gaslighting? Here is the definition:
“Gaslighting is a form of manipulation that often occurs in abusive relationships. It is a covert type of emotional abuse where the bully or abuser misleads the target, creating a false narrative and making them question their judgments and reality.”
The first part that has to be satisfied is the abusive relationship criteria. I would totally argue that nobody has been abused more than USMNT fans over the past 5 years! Plus let’s look at the pattern of qualifying. It was a roller coaster of performances and emotions. The kind of pattern where someone makes you feel great then insulted that narcissists use to emotionally abuse their spouses. Just think of the state of US fans at halftime of the Honduras game staring at a 2 pt window…
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After only picking up 2 pts in the first game, Gregg Berhalter rolled out a completely un-played formation with a central midfielder that had never played there before for the USMNT, a uncapped 18 year old at striker, and the best available defensive midfielder as a right wing back!
Gregg made changes to start the second half and the subs, along with the 18 year old, broke the game open for a rare come from behind road victory. The team then came out at home against Jamaica in the next window and looked great. Everything was right and good and fans could rest easy again, right? Hold on, Gregg then rotated just about the whole team, brought Lletget and Zardes and Acosta into the spine, and the team doesn’t even register a shot on goal and suffer a historically improbable loss (the USMNT had only lost a few times to Central American teams not named Costa Rica in the previous 20 years; the 2017 disaster team didn’t).
This pattern of a good home game followed by a terrible road game continued all through qualifying. It was simply fan abuse.
But what has this abuse led to? The idea that the USMNT cannot play on the road or against low block set ups. But is that true? It is true that the USMNT played mostly poorly on the road in Concacaf qualifying. But if you look closely, almost every road game was a rotated midfield and forward line. Does anyone expect Lletget, Zardes, Busio and Acosta, to start as “8’s” Qatar? Will the first two even be on a 26 man roster? Here is my starting lineup projection for Qatar:
How many of the above started in Panama? Just two outfield players and one was a CB. Simply put, the USMNT didn’t start that game. Berhalter subbed in Adams at the half, but for Musah. So, still only two outfield players. For the last 23 minutes, they had three, if you think Pepi is the #1 choice at striker (many don’t).
Road games in Concacaf are just unique games that are not duplicated anywhere. The fields are terrible, and the refs are incredibly lenient. It is very easy to play defense against superior teams when the field doesn’t let the ball roll and the ref lets you hack down any talented player with impunity.
Are games in Qatar, Concacaf road games? No. They are not home games either. But the fields will be pristine, the refs will be the best in the world and generally protect talented players, and rather than 1500 mile trips in between games, the games in Qatar are all a short bus trip.
Canada played a low block against the USA in both games. The second was against our best midfield, but was played on a barely regulation width field, that was unheated artificial turf, in freezing weather. Last I checked, none of the fields in Qatar are super narrow with artificial turf; and the weather will hardly be freezing in the desert of the Middle East.
The Canada home game is possibly the best evidence the team has a “problem” against a low block. But how many Qatar projected starters started that game? Well, it was better than the away Panama game as five outfield players project to start in Qatar. But looking a little closer, the problem in that game was getting the ball from the back to the front. The two 8’s in that game were Lletget and Acosta. The former was soon out of the team for being too inept at progressing the ball, the latter has also not played well, offensively, as an 8.
Reaching back to June, the USMNT played Honduras at home and also had a problem generating good scoring chances as Honduras sat back in a low block. But this game also only had 5 Qatar starters and again, Lletget as an 8. This lineup also had the unfortune to have Yueill as a “6”. While it wasn’t his last chance to be ineffective, it was the second to last and he hasn’t started a game since the Summer.
So, can the USMNT play against low blocks? Few teams in the last decade were better at playing in a Low Block than Costa Rica. In the home qualifier against the Ticos, the USMNT played 7 Qatar starters, and all 11 starters will be on the roster for the World Cup. They then did the unthinkable and gifted Costa Rica a goal one minute in which made it easy for Costa Rica to sit deep and defend. In 2017, the same occurred and the Ticos got a second and shut out the USA and won. In this game, the USMNT took control of the game and had three times the xG in that game (1.89 to 0.61) and won 2-1. Generally, if you have three times the xG as an opponent, you win almost all the time. If we face low blocks against Wales and Iran and come out of those games with 1.8 to 0.6 xG, we should easily get out of our group.
So, why all the discussion of terrible road form and terrible results against low blocks? This was all by design! It was a giant gaslighting operation by Gregg Berhalter to make the world think this way. By abusing fans and by never ever overperforming in qualifying; by using rotated rosters with key inept players to make even the closest followers of the team believe they can’t succeed except against open teams in home games.
Not since Operation Bodyguard, has such a misinformation campaign worked so well! As usual, we can’t give Berhalter all the credit. His detractors would say he didn’t actually mean any of it! That can’t be true, no coach would make such radical unsuccessful changes and decisions. I mean, even that Costa Rica home game I think is such a good example of playing against a bunker, has Tim Weah as MOTM and he wasn’t even going to start.
There have just been a tremendous injury crises all during qualifying. So, maybe Gregg didn’t mean to rotate so much, but was forced into it to some degree. But it just added to the successful operation. Think of it! Our opponents have zero game tape of our actual best team on the field together.
There are 7 months until the World Cup. There will be hundreds of hours of podcasts, thousands of Twitter posts, entire Discord discussions, dozens of articles, all bemoaning our lack of ability to play on the road and play against low blocks. Just give a wry smile, nod your cap towards Berhalter, and say, “job well done, sir!”
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.
USMNT
Launching Caring Excellence in Northern Kentucky
USMNT
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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