COLUMBUS – Seven months ago, on February 1, at the time, the U. S. men’s soccer team played a friendly against Costa Rica, the Americans won 1-0 and then came the pandemic.
Club leagues have been looking to renew schedules to end old seasons and start new seasons as safely as possible. The team approached spring and summer, practically exploring 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, betting in midfield for the Crew, but that was the magnitude of the outdoor paintings. Berhalter’s office, which did not mention it in our conversation, but the fact that more than 30 countries (including those in the European Union) banned travellers from the United States must 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. “
This Thursday, twinnings for the UEFA Champions League organizational level were released, the tournament that will begin at the end of this month and, 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 theme of the super (and justifiable) half-hype – will be the first of Berhalter’s team. It’s even imaginable that they’re all components of your initial lineup, that is, when you can do an initial workout.
“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 looks like we’re going to play three games, and the other two 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 Monday, has generated a lot of attention. One ramification: The United States is contemplating a rematch with Canada. The last time they played, in a Nations League game in Toronto last year, Canada covered. a 2-0 loss to the Americans, the lowest point in Berhalter’s tenure.
The Gold Cup is scheduled to take place from July 10 to August 1 in places yet to be determined. Qualifications for the Under-20 World Cup, the League of Nations, the Tokyo Olympics (for 23 players) and, of course, the World Cup. Grades are also on the agenda.
“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; Tuesdays, they give their notes and argue. Wednesdays and Thursdays are working days, “and we’re working on everything from a taste for the game to getting rid of opponents,” Berhalter said. Friday is to get closer to the whole week of paintings.
Come and wait . . .