Seven months ago, on February 1, at the time, the U. S. Men’s National Soccer Team played a friendly against Costa Rica, the Americans won 1-0 and then came the pandemic.
Club leagues have been looking to revamp schedules to end old seasons and start new seasons in the safest way possible. The team approached spring and summer, practically detecting and planning.
“I haven’t traveled that far because we can watch everything on TV,” Berhalter said in a phone interview On Friday. “The other thing is that you can’t in (travel) smart given the prospect of spreading them (players) to anything. “If they had anything and pushed them back, it would be a disaster.
Berhalter was in the summer bubble of Major League Soccer in Orlando, was there to spot and was able to take a look at his son, Sebastian, playing midfield for crew, but that was the magnitude of the outdoor paintings. Berhalter, who did not mention it in our conversation, however, the fact that more than 30 countries (including those in the European Union) banned travellers from the United States should have been a major obstacle.
“The positive thing is simply to turn out that we are flexible, adaptable and innovative,” Berhalter said. “As a team, we don’t make progress, but it’s wonderful to see individual progression. “
Couples for the UEFA Champions League organizational level were announced on Thursday. The tournament begins at the end of this month. As Berhalter noted, 11 American internationals will play one of the most prestigious club tournaments in the world.
Among them: Gio Reyna, 17, central flyer of Borussia Dortmund of the Bundesliga; Sergino Dest, 19, an outdoor runner for Barcelona de La Liga; Tyler Adams, 21, midfielder/Bundesliga side of RB Leipzig; Weston McKennie, 22, central midfielder for Juventus in Italian Serie A; Christian Pulisic, 22, midfielder / Chelsea wing of the English Premier League; and Zach Steffen, 25, EPL Manchester City goalkeeper.
It is imaginable that each of them, from Pulisic, a consolidated star, to Steffen, the former goalkeeper of the crew, to Reyna in the face of baby, the son of two American internationals and the subject of the super (and justifiable) media. hype – will be the first of Berhalter’s team. It is even imaginable that they are all components of their initial lineup, that is, when they can do an initial training.
“The October window has been cancelled,” Berhalter said, referring to the U. S. federation’s resolve to act cautiously. “We are still making plans for November (for a camp in Europe). At the end of the year, it turns out that he only plays 3 games, and the two more seem uncertain».
In other words: the victory over Costa Rica on February 1 would possibly be the only match that the USMNT will play in the 2020 calendar year, it is an oppressive idea if you are looking to rebuild a program that has reached its lowest point of fashion the last circular. World Cup.
No one knows where COVID-19 will go last fall and winter, when the pandemic can be more confusing during flu season and without blood No one can be sure when a coronavirus vaccine will be available. hands crossed to say it will be faster than in the past, and if that’s the case, the USMNT will be very busy by 2021.
The CONCACAF Gold Cup draw, announced on Monday, has generated a lot of attention, one of the ramifications: the United States is contemplating a rematch with Canada. a 2-0 defeat to the Americans, the lowest point in Berhalter’s tenure.
The Gold Cup is scheduled to take a position from July 10 to August 1 at venues yet to be determined. The rankings for the Under-20 World Cup, the Nations League, the Tokyo Olympics (for 23 players) and, of course, the World Cup qualifiers are also on the show.
“Our biggest challenge is to get organized – how we manage our lists for next year,” Berhalter said. “November is a time when we bring together our most productive organization and leave. The truth is, we do. We know we have to. “juggling lists is frustrating, but we’re up to the challenge. “
On Sundays and Mondays, Berhalter and his team watch the matches assigned to them, analyze the video and compare the players; On Tuesdays, they deliver their notes and argue. Wednesdays and Thursdays are days, “and we’re working on everything from the taste of the game to defeating opponents,” Berhalter said. Friday is to expand the whole week of paintings.
Come and wait . . .
marace@dispatch. com