What is the story about?
Here’s a bullet-point rundown of USA player performances this week (Monday through Thursday). Players are divided by position groups (which helps my depth-chart-oriented brain process this information most usefully). Stats are from FotMob.
Striker
- On Tuesday, Ricardo Pepi (23) issued a statement about his injury: “Thanks to everyone for the warm messages. Unfortunately, this is a minor setback. I have already started my recovery so I can get back as soon as possible and help the team.”
- Chase Adams (18) was named in this week’s USA U-19 roster. You can read Marcus Chairez’s analaysis of this week’s U-19 and U-20 rosters here (and a separate piece on the U-18 squad).
- On Tuesday, José Roberto Nuñez reported that Borussia Dortmund made an offer for Philadelphia Union striker Malik Jakupovic (17) this summer (Philly rejected it). Jakupovic is in this week’s U17 roster.
- Brian Sciaretta released a feature on Justin Ellis (19) on Wednesday. Here’s a clip from Ellis in camp:
- Steven Goff wrote an article on Wedenesday about the forwards in camp, including this quote from Damion Downs (22): “Everything’s an opportunity, I’m here for a reason, and for me, just play as good as I can, and hopefully learn as much as I can.”
- Jordan Morris (31) played 27 minutes off the bench in the Seattle Sounders’ 2-0 win over Real Salt Lake in MLS on Wednesday.
- On Thursday, PSG striker Paris Brunner was suspended for 4 matches. Folarin Balogun (25) could be solidifying his spot during that stretch.
- On Thursday, Derby County CEO Stephen Pearce said that two Premier League clubs tried to buy Patrick Agyemang (25) in January.
Winger/attacking mid
- It was a light week. On Monday, we got a new look at Christian Pulisic’s goal against Lecce from the weekend:
One more:
- On Monday, Larry Henry Jr. released an interview with USA senior team debutant Cole Campbell (20).
- On Monday, we got some clips of Cavan Sullivan (16) in his first senior USA camp:
- On Monday, American writer Paul Kennedy posted an article about Sullivan on French site L’Equipe. On Monday, Cavan Sullivan was named in MLS’s Team of the Matchday from the weekend. Men in Blazers wrote some words about Cavan on Tuesday. Tim Howard spoke about him on Wednesday. Henry Bushnell wrote about him on Thursday (plus more here).
- Marvin Dills (19, Eintracht Frankfurt) and Ruben Ramos Jr. (also 19) were named on this week’s USA U-20 roster.
- On Tuesday, James Horncastle reportd that AC Milan has yet to open contract talks with Christian Pulisic (28), although their intention is to keep him. His contract is up in the summer. That story faded pretty quickly, with Daniele Longo reporting the very next day that Milan will exercise Pulisic’s renewall until 2028.
- Sebastian Gomez (20) played the full 90 in the Seattle Sounders’ 2-0 win over Real Salt Lake in MLS on Wednesday.
- Taylor Booth (22) played 12 minutes off the bench for RSL.
- Diego Luna (23) missed it with a knee injury, expected back in mid-November.
- Zach Booth (22) also missed it, with a hamstring injury, expected back in early October.
- Jesús Ferreira (25) also also missed it, with a hamstring injury, expected back in late October.
- Here’s a clip of Belgian-American Noa Ojea (17) from Belgium U19 camp:
Center mid
- Sebastian Berhalter (25) and Gio Reyna (23) spoke to media about taking on leadership roles for the USA (published on Monday). Berhalter also did an interview with Men in Blazers that was released Wednesday.
- Some of Berhalter’s comments here:
- It was posted on Monday that Santiago Castañeda (21) is being shown interest by Colombia. Castañeda was also named in WhoScored’s Bundesliga team of the week, and is nominated for Bundesliga Rookie of the Month.
- On Monday, Nashville SC highlighted Matthew Corcoran’s (20) performance over the weekend.
- On Wednesday, former Red Bulls midfielder Tyler Adams (27) spoke about current Red Bull Adri Mehmeti (17):
- Adri Mehmeti also spoke about Tyler on Wednesday:
- Here’s Mehmeti talking about his reaction to being called up:
- More from Adams on Wednesday: (he also did a Men in Blazers chat; and a second clip here)
- Cristian Roldán (31) played the full 90 and had the most touches (96) in the Seattle Sounders’ 2-0 win over Real Salt Lake in MLS on Wednesday.
- Snyder Brunell (19) played 63 minutes and created 1 chance for the Sounders.
- Colin Guske (19) played 12 minutes off the bench for RSL.
- Brunell was also named in this week’s USA U-20 roster, along with Cooper Sanchez (18), Jonny Shore (19), and Ervin Torres (18).
- Jude Terry (17) and Alex Shaw (18) were named in this week’s USA U-19 roster.
Fullback
- On Monday, Alex Freeman (22) was named in WhoScored’s La Liga team of the week.
- On Monday, Peyton Miller (18) was named on the bench of MLS’s Team of the Matchday from the weekend. Miller spoke about his reaction to being called up to the USA team on Wednesday:
- Frankie Westfield (20) also spoke about his reaction to being called up:
- Here’s Antonee Robinson (29) having some fun in USA camp:
- Max Arfsten (25) spoke with Men in Blazers on Thursday.
- Joe Scally (23) played the full 90 in Mönchengladbach’s 3-0 friendly win over Sportfreunde Siegen on Thursday.
Center-back
- On Monday, Steven Goff reported that Chris Richards (26) wouldn’t join USA camp until Wednesday due to personal reasons. On Tuesday, Goff reported that Auston Trusty (28) was also delayed until Wednesday due to travel issues.
- On Monday, it was announced that Tim Ream (38) will be honored at the USA match in St. Louis on September 29.
- On Monday, we got some clips of Neil Pierre (18), who is in camp with Team USA:
- On Tuesday, Christopher Cupps (18) was named in the USA U-20 roster. Cupps is with Greenock Morton in Scotland’s second division, on loan from the Chicago Fire.
- Not so much in the USMNT picture now, Matt Miazga (31) signed with NYCFC on Tuesday.
- Luca Bombino (20) was getting some love from Stoke fans on Tuesday.
- Some words from Neil Pierre in USA camp:
- More from Pierre on Wednesday:
- On Tuesday, Miles Robinson (29) said some stuff. Miles is in USA camp, for reasons that pass understanding.
- Chris Richards did eventually make it into camp. Here he is on Wednesday. On Thursday, Steven Goff wrote a piece about Richards and new Crystal Palace teammate Zavier Gozo (19).
- Jackson Ragen (28) played the full 90 in the Seattle Sounders’ 2-0 win over Real Salt Lake in MLS on Wednesday.
- Stuart Hawkins (20) played 45 minutes off the bench for the Sounders.
- On Thursday, Ryan Tolmich published an article on West Brom captain George Campbell (25).
Goalkeeper
- On Tuesday, Steven Goff wrote a feature on Diego Kochen (20). Kochen spoke to Yahoo Sports on Thursday about his eligibility for Peru and Venezuela.
- On Thursday, Chris Brady (22) was the first one to give us his bald eagle impression.
Not particular to any specific player or position group, but here are a couple clips from USA camp:
What were your takeaways? Hit the comments to discuss.
