Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.
Gregg Berhalter will make his return to the touchline as the United States match up against Uzbekistan on Saturday, September 9, followed by a game against Oman on Tuesday, September 12. Both games are international friendlies, with another pair of friendlies against Germany and Ghana coming in mid-October.
The United States has never faced either Uzbekistan or Oman, making them the 101st and 102nd different opponent in USMNT history, according to U.S. Soccer. The game against 74th-ranked Uzbekistan will be held at CityPark in St. Louis, while the match against 73rd-ranked Oman will take place at Allianz Field in St. Paul, Minnesota.
This international window represents a rare opportunity over the next few years for the United States to face opponents from the Asian confederation. Asian nations have a busy schedule over the next few years, with the upcoming AFC Asian Cup in January just the tip of the iceberg.
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USA roster for September friendlies vs Uzbekistan, Oman
The USMNT squad for the September friendlies against Uzbekistan and Oman was released on Wednesday, August 30, with Gregg Berhalter calling in 24 players.
There have been a few alterations to the roster forced by injuries. Midfielder Jonny Cardoso was part of the initial squad, but had to be withdrawn due to an ankle injury, while Tanner Tessmann was added to the roster in his place.
Following the match against Uzbekistan, Joe Scally departed camp for family reasons, and was replaced by DeJuan Jones. Also after the first game, Matt Turner left the squad in anticipation of the birth of his daughter, while fellow goalkeeper Drake Callender joined the team mid-camp after playing for his club Inter Miami on Saturday.
| Pos | Name | Club | Caps | Goals |
| GK | Drake Callender | Inter Miami (USA) | 0 | 0 |
| GK | Ethan Horvath | Nott. Forest (ENG) | 8 | 0 |
| DEF | Sergino Dest | PSV Eindhoven (NED) | 26 | 2 |
| DEF | DeJuan Jones | New England Revolution (USA) | 6 | 0 |
| DEF | Kristoffer Lund | Palermo (ITA) | 0 | 0 |
| DEF | Kevin Paredes | Wolfsburg (GER) | 0 | 0 |
| DEF | Tim Ream | Fulham (ENG) | 36 | 2 |
| DEF | Chris Richards | Crystal Palace (ENG) | 10 | 1 |
| DEF | Antonee Robinson | Fulham (ENG) | 36 | 2 |
| DEF | Miles Robinson | Atlanta United (USA) | 25 | 3 |
| MID | Benjamin Cremaschi | Inter Miami (USA) | 0 | 0 |
| MID | Luca de la Torre | Celta Vigo (SPA) | 16 | 0 |
| MID | Weston McKennie | Juventus (ITA) | 44 | 11 |
| MID | Yunus Musah | AC Milan (ITA) | 27 | 0 |
| MID | Tanner Tessmann | Venezia (ITA) | 1 | 0 |
| MID | Malik Tillman | PSV Eindhoven (NED) | 4 | 0 |
| FWD | Brenden Aaronson | Union Berlin (GER) | 32 | 7 |
| FWD | Folarin Balogun | Arsenal (ENG) | 2 | 1 |
| FWD | Cade Cowell | San Jose Earthquakes (USA) | 8 | 1 |
| FWD | Ricardo Pepi | PSV Eindhoven (NED) | 16 | 7 |
| FWD | Christian Pulisic | AC Milan (ITA) | 60 | 25 |
| FWD | Tim Weah | Juventus (ITA) | 31 | 4 |
𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗕𝗢𝗬𝗦 𝗔𝗥𝗘 𝗕𝗔𝗖𝗞!!!! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
— U.S. Men's National Soccer Team (@USMNT) August 30, 2023
Gregg Berhalter selects 24-player roster ahead of September friendlies » https://t.co/9C2PXqEe17#USMNT x @BioSteelSports pic.twitter.com/c4BqYXbN4F
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Gio Reyna, Tyler Adams, other USMNT players injured
Multiple U.S. goalkeepers are struggling with injuries, including Sean Johnson has a broken hand and Zack Steffen who has yet to return from knee surgery, paving the way for Drake Callender's inclusion on the roster.
Injuries are an issue throughout the USMNT player pool, as there are others who will miss out aside from aforementioned goalkeepers Johnson and Steffen. Cameron Carter-Vickers suffered a hamstring injury, sidelining him for two months, while Josh Sargent suffered what is believed to be a serious ankle injury this past weekend. Tyler Adams has yet to return from his hamstring injury to debut for his new club Bournemouth.
Gio Reyna has missed the start of the Borussia Dortmund season after suffering a fracture on Nations League duty over the summer, and while he has returned to training, Berhalter is being cautious with the young midfielder as he eyes his season debut in Germany. Those two are set to discuss a way back into the mix for Reyna following the post-World Cup drama between their two families, but that will have to wait until October.
Others injured to varying degrees include Daryl Dike, Walker Zimmerman, and Alejandro Zendejas, while Luca de la Torre shakes off a recent injury to be included.
MORE: Who is Benji Cremaschi? Inter Miami youngster choosing between USMNT, Argentina
Benji Cremaschi, Kristoffer Lund new USMNT faces
There are a pair of players that USMNT fans will maybe not recognize as much as the other regulars within the squad.
Inter Miami midfielder Benji Cremaschi is an 18-year-old who has eligibility for both the United States and Argentina, and it is smart for Berhalter to give him a chance in a friendly with the hopes of swaying his eventual decision.
Kristoffer Lund, meanwhile, is a 21-year-old left-back who plays for Serie B side Palermo in Italy. He was born in Denmark and has played for the Danish youth international setup at multiple levels, but has an American mother and therefore is eligible to play for the United States. He filed a one-time switch with FIFA, making him now committed to playing for the United States.
Gregg Berhalter names first squad of second USMNT stint
While the upcoming matches are just international friendlies, meaning some experimentation could occur, it's thought that Gregg Berhalter will name a strong side in his first match back as manager.
Berhalter was hired in 2018 and led the USMNT through the 2022 World Cup cycle, but his contract ran out after last December's FIFA tournament, and it was not immediately renewed. The federation conducted a full search process, interviewing candidates and assessing the situation, but ultimately decided to re-hire Berhalter for the 2026 World Cup cycle.
Now, ahead of the 2026 FIFA tournament, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Berhalter's job is a massive one, navigating the 2024 Copa America and the 2025 Gold Cup before the vital and massive 2026 event.
