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With games every four days, the depth of the United States will be tested at the World Cup with Gregg Berhalter needing to dig deep to use his entire 26 man roster. But he likely didn’t expect to need to go beyond his projected 26 during this international window. With Tim Weah, Antonee Robinson, Zach Steffen, and Yunus Musah sidelined, Berhalter will be without four players who were critical to qualifying for the World Cup.
He’ll also be without depth players Chris Richards and Cameron Carter-Vickers in defense. Those two are already competing to replace the injured Miles Robinson, so Berhalter will be down to bare bones during this international break, That makes this the perfect opportunity for Berhalter to see what depth he has in this squad. Japan are a quality side that will push the United States and seven players on this roster have fewer than 10 caps for the national team.
While Antonee Robinson is a starter when healthy, his backup is unknown making this camp an important time for Joe Scally and Sam Vines to battle for their spots in Qatar. Similarly, at center back, Walker Zimmerman and Aaron Long will likely be the starters at the World Cup but who will back them up is a wide open race. Erik Palmer-Brown and Mark McKenzie have chances to impress after not being on this roster when it was initially released.
Palmer-Brown has been a consistent starter for Troyes since the turn of the year while McKenzie was able to earn a starting role three matches into the season for Genk. Both have a lot to prove with the national team but performing in this camp will show Berhalter that they have what it takes. Jonny Cardoso is a surprise inclusion to the squad replacing Musah, but he’s in the form of his life with Internacional.
With three goals and two assists across 17 matches, Cardoso could stay in the squad even when Musah returns by impressing in this camp. Luca de la Torre has only played 11 minutes…
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Source : cbssports
