Soccer has seen a lot of ups and downs over the years, but none perhaps were so as bad as COVID.
COVID hit everything that it touched hard, and it is still hitting hard. Luckily, some things are starting to get back to normal, including US Soccer. The USMNT might be largely limited to MLS-based players and European leagues, but it still remains an important part of the overall program. If you’ve been watching then you’ve likely already seen the impact. These camps have proved more than vital in the years when the World Cup was taking place.
There was a lot of initial drama over whether or not this year’s camp would even take place, but it has finally been officially announced that the camp will go on. It can just at the right time as well because USMNT coach, Gregg Berhalter, will need all the time that he can get to evaluate the talent and get the players ready before the games begin. As there isn’t much going on elsewhere, fans will also want to pay close attention to the camps. While doing so there are several key players you’ll want to keep an eye on. These players will likely not only stand out, but they could be the difference makers.
Bill Hamid (Goalkeeper/DC United)
It is no big secret that the United States is a huge producer of goalkeepers. They have been since the 90s and only continue to pump out great talent. It seems that this continues to be a strength of the program, and Bill Hamid could be the next example of this. Right now, Berhalter is currently looking t four candidates of which Hamid should be the one to take the spot. The other 3 vying candidates are Sean Johnson from NYCFC, JT Marcinkowski from the San Jose Earthquakes, and Matt Turner from New England Revolution. Unfortunately, the last two, Turner and JT, have yet to even a senior camp, but it is likely that they will.
Berhalter’s goals are to bring three goalkeepers to the World Cup in two years and Hamid and Johnson are currently competing for those spots. Both are frontrunners and either could start against Costa Rica, given that they perform in camp. It will be the camp that tells which emerges on top, but Hamid is a standout. The 29-year-old made it clear that he wants the spot and knows that this camp is his place to prove it.
Aaron Long (Defender/New York Red Bulls)
Strong in the back and not hesitant about venturing forward on set pieces, Long has more than made a case for himself as being a regular part of the USMNT lineup. Couple this with the year that he had in 2019, and he should be an easy pick. At just 27 years of age, he has 16 caps and three goals. And, all this has come since his 2018 debut. However, Berhalter is looking to Long for more than just his skill on the field. Given his age and experience in the league, he will be relying on his to provider leadership on the field and in the dressing room. He could be a huge factor for the younger players that are entering the camp for the first time.
Sam Vines (Defender/ Colorado Rapids)
This 20-year-old is a product of the Colorado Rapid’s academy and he’s more than eager to earn his first senior cap for the USMNT. He’s been a standout and on the rise in the MLS since he signed on with the Rapids last season. Vines made it 26 MLS games in the 2019 season, but what’s even more impressive is that he started 23 of those games. This is what earned him a closer look from Berhalter. With his youth and ambition, there is no denying that he could be a huge addition to this camp and anyone betting on games with quality online sites like บาคาร่าออนไลน์.
Sebastian Lletget (midfielder/ Los Angeles Galaxy)
There might currently be eight midfielders scheduled for the camp, but with 13 caps and two goals, it is Sebastian that stands out. Couple this with his experience and he should be a shoo-in. The only problem and very thing that might keep him out is that he has been hampered with a series of injuries over the past couple of years. Just at 27 years of age, he still has some time left to break into the starting lineup and make even more of a name for himself.