USA vs. Uzbekistan Friendly match

The second Gregg Berhalter era — which really seems one era in which his assistants took the reins for a few months while he dealt with a ridiculous, intra-federation issue — began with an understandably disjointed win over Uzbekistan in St. Louis.

The Yanks were without Tyler Adams and got another solid look at Luca de la Torre that was shortened by a broken nose, while Folarin Balogun and Ricardo Pepi split the game at center forward.

Eleven players are on this roster for the USMNT that were also on the World Cup roster while four seek their first caps for the USMNT. It's the first-ever meeting between these two nations as Berhalter looks to continue the USMNT's unbeaten streak, which is now at 11 matches.

Berhalter will not have the services of goalkeeper Drake Callender for this match, as he will not arrive in camp until Sunday, after playing for his club Inter Miami on Saturday. Inter Miami has lost an incredible nine players to international duty this window, so Callender elected to stay and help his club before joining the USMNT for their second friendly against Oman on Tuesday.

While this team has gone on to play in two international competitions after the conclusion of the 2022 World Cup, these two friendlies feel like the official beginning of the road to a home soil World Cup in 2026.

Coming off of the beginning of the European domestic seasons, Berhalter has called in a mix of first-choice players and new faces. It could be by design that these two September opponents on the weaker side of competitiveness to allow for some fresh meat to get their chance to shine or at least be integrated into the squad.

Former Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun will be one name to keep an eye on after scoring his first senior international goal in the Nations League final win over Canada.

Uzbekistan captain Eldor Shamurodov is his country’s key asset and all-time top scorer with 37 goals from 66 international outings.

The Cagliari frontman scored three times at the Cafa Nations Cup earlier this summer and was his nation’s top scorer as it finished runner-up to Iran, suffering a slim 1-0 loss in June’s final.

Read more

 Sarah H

Also on site :

• FaZe Clan Content House Closes: Stars Exit, Esports Takes Center Stage
• Low Countries Up High: Belgium & the Netherlands’ Secret Andean Altitude Training
• Mike Sullivan doesn’t think Rangers scoring woes are all ‘doom and gloom’