About a month out from the last pre–World Cup international window, the U.S. men’s national team’s player pool remains split into a few categories. There are those who are the perceived locks for a trip to Qatar, those on the fringe looking to climb into that more secure group and then those a little farther off the radar seeking a late burst into the fray. As a result, not all player-club situations can be assessed equally. Just because one player who isn’t playing and may be on the move (one of those perceived locks, Sergiño Dest; read on for more) doesn’t necessarily dock him roster points, while for another (John Brooks, a free agent still without a club), it’s detrimental to whatever roster shot he may have left.
This past weekend had much more of the above on display. Players like Gio Reyna (returning from injury for Borussia Dortmund), Luca de la Torre (just starting at a new club, Celta Vigo) and Tim Weah (fresh injury at Lille) all didn’t play, yet their roster hopes should be no worse for the wear. For others who either aren’t playing at all or aren’t playing well, the pressure is that much greater. And it also opens the doors for those making that late surge, especially at positions of need.
With all of that in mind, here are the key takeaways from a weekend abroad that will have caught U.S. manager Gregg Berhalter’s eye:
