5 Players the USMNT Must Base 2022 World Cup Qualification Around
After the disastrous 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign for the USMNT, which culminated in the stuff of nightmares 2–1 loss away to Trinidad & Tobago, an island country in the Caribbean with roughly the same population as San Antonio. Anyone with half an interest is wondering two years later if the unimaginable could happen again. I’ll be looking at five players, who if developed, used in the correct positions and system; will be the spine of a successful team moving forward.
1. Sergiño Dest: Right Back, AFC Ajax
The 19 year old Dest was born in the Netherlands to a Dutch mother and Surinamese-American Father. Having represented the United States of America all the way from the U17 to Senior Team he decided to commit his international future to the U.S. over Holland in October 2019. Bursting onto the scene as a rapid, attack minded, intelligent right back, he’s played in 32 games in all competitions so far this season before the world ground to a halt in March. Having come through the famous Ajax academy his technical ability is in no doubt. The modern full-back has to be bombing up and down, with aggressive running and constant pressure on their opposite number. However it’s Dest’s: maturity, decision making and genuine quality on the ball that set him apart from most at such a young age in an increasingly difficult position to play.
Garnering the transfer attention of some of Europe’s biggest clubs already including Bayern Munich and Barcelona displays the level of ability and potential he has. The best thing for him right now and the foreseeable future would be continue playing and starting every game for Ajax, allowing him to develop into a top class right back. It’s inconceivable to think that he won’t be starting for the USMNT moving forward.
2. Tyler Adams: Defensive Midfield, RB Leipzig
Having burst onto the scene as a 16 year old scoring on his debut for New York Red Bulls in a Friendly against Chelsea, Adams already has a great amount on experience playing in a total of 129 games as a professional having only turned 21 in February of this year. Excelling as a high energy defensive midfielder that could break up the play and quickly pass the ball through the lines is really what allowed him to become one of NYRB’s most important players at such a young age. In 2019 he transferred to RB Leipzig, and one of the best leagues in the world in the German Bundesliga, allowing him to progress and develop in an environment where the level of play is a world apart from what he’s used to.
The only conundrum for Adams right now apart from the occasional niggling injury he’s picked up, is where his future lies positionally. Admitting he believes that he’s at his best as a defensive midfielder, he’s been pushed out to right back and right wing back for his club, most likely due to the pace and power he possesses, and the number of midfielders ahead of him in the pecking order. Learning another position at a young age is never a bad thing, the ability to adapt and learn quickly will only benefit the USMNT.
3. Chris Richards: Centre Back, FC Bayern Munich
What might come as somewhat a wildcard selection, Richards is exactly the type of player that the USMNT should be looking to build the future around. Settling for mediocrity is exactly what led to the Trinidad & Tobago fiasco. Born in Birmingham, Alabama, Richards signed for FC Dallas in April 2018 as an 18 year old. One month later he was being invited over to German giants Bayern Munich for a ten day trial, a hastily arranged one year loan agreement followed in the summer; allowing him to move over to Germany and start performing and standing out for Bayern’s Under 19 team, so much so that halfway through the loan deal Bayern paid FC Dallas $1.5 Million to make the deal permanent, signing the youngster to a contract until the summer of 2023.
A Tall, elegant centre back, whose quality on the ball, and ability in the air, have belied his inexperience. Moving up to Bayern II this season who play in Germany’s 3rd Division has allowed him to develop as a player without being in the limelight, making 22 appearances scoring 3 goals with his head, he’s proved himself a threat in the oppositions penalty area. The next step for him is to break into Bayern’s Senior team, it’ll be no mean feat, they clearly see him as one for the future though. His path to the USMNT as a starting centre back might seem crowded right now, however building for the future should be a priority right now and Richards should be at the forefront of any plans moving forward.
4. Weston McKennie: Centre Midfield, FC Schalke
The high energy Mckennie who grew up in Texas, before moving to Germany at a young age, then returned to Texas where he spent most of his youth career in the FC Dallas academy. Another on the list who currently plies his trade in the German Bundesliga. Making over 20 appearances for FC Schalke in each of the past three seasons highlight his ability, and the faith shown in him, all just as his 22nd birthday approaches in August 2020. At his best when he’s on the ball, driving forward aggressively, looking for a through ball for his attackers. Deployed deeper in a more defensive role as Schalke have struggled, has not particularly suited his game, the experience of this required adaption in high pressure situations will prove invaluable to him and his career moving forward. Best suited to the number eight position in my opinion, a midfield with him bursting forward, and Adams behind him could be extremely exciting moving forward.
His eyes are firmly set on reaching the English Premier League, he would be wise to concentrate on performing consistently, playing regularly, and developing in a high level league. The USMNT is going to need more players playing consistently in the top five leagues round the world to compete on the world stage. Developing homegrown players such as McKennie that are able to perform abroad at a high level is a blueprint that needs to be followed across the country, until Major League Soccer is of a high enough level where it’s sustaining a world class level of play. To be honest that may never happen. Having players playing for the national team that are playing and developing in big leagues around the world, mainly Europe, is a must for the USMNT.
5. Christian Pulisic: Winger, Chelsea F.C.
The golden boy of U.S. Soccer, Pulisic moved around considerably as a child, growing up in Hershey, Pennsylvania. A year in England as a seven year old followed, time was also spent in Michigan as his father was general manager of indoor soccer club Detroit Ignition. Returning to Hershey where his youth career took off in the now defunct U.S. Soccer Development Academy System playing for his local club PA Classics. German giant Borussia Dortmund signed Pulisic as a 16 year old to their youth teams in February 2015. Less than a year after making his debut for the Under 17 team in the spring of 2015, he was making his league debut for the senior team in the Bundesliga in January 2016. A meteoric rise led to him becoming a regular contributor both in goals and assists for a team competing at the top end of the league and playing in the Champions League. Pulisic has the ability to dribble with the ball at high speeds, which is not as common as it might sound, keeping the ball close to his feet, with a low center of gravity allowing him to chop and change direction at any moment, he always has defenders on the back foot.
English Premier League teams were taking notice and a move to Liverpool seemed nailed on, that he’d follow in Jurgen Klopp’s footsteps by moving from Dortmund to the North-West of England. However it was London club Chelsea that came calling in January 2019, paying Dortmund $73 Million for his services, making him the most expensive American of all time. Chelsea to sweeten the deal, allowed him to spend the rest of the season on loan at Dortmund. After a slow start to life in the Premier League, Pulisic came to life, turning his threatening play into production, scoring a hat-trick in Chelsea’s 4–2 away victory over Burnley in October 2019. Still only 21, if he’s not already, the youngster from Hershey has the potential to become the best USMNT player of all time. With the ability to play in any of the front three positions, playing off the left wing is where he’s most dangerous. Establishing himself in a Premier League team that is competing in the Champions League is only going to help to take his game to the next level. Taking on the responsibility of leading your country on the world stage is enormous. Talent like Pulisic’s will be wasted, if the best coaches available aren’t leading and developing the team on the international stage. Or he’s the only player on his level.
