According to the federation, since 1999 30 players who have won their first or second caps in the USMNT’s opening camp of the year have progressed to a World Cup squad, including nine who went to Qatar in 2022. With the Olympics in mind, Marko Mitrović, the US under-23 head coach, is on Berhalter’s staff for this camp. Given home advantage, Berhalter’s team should take their first two games with the Uruguay clash deciding the group winners. Remember the rumblings before the 2022 World Cup about goalkeeper Matt Turner’s lack of playing time at Arsenal and how rustiness might stiffen his play? Berhalter is a diligent planner, but sometimes all a coach can do is cross his fingers and hope for the best.

Source: The Guardian January 11, 2024 22:22 UTC