OT: USMNT September Friendlies and Pre-World Cup Window

A 26-man roster was released today for the final World Cup warm up friendlies against Japan and Saudi Arabia next week. The final WC roster is also limited to 26, so although Berhalter could have called more for this window, I expect there are only a few spots that haven't been booked yet and only a few players in contention for those spots. I think last week Berhalter said that "85% of the roster is basically decided."

(For me) Surprising decisions are Aaron Long over James Sands and Tim Ream (been playing very well for Fulham so far this season), Pepi over Jordan Pefok and Brandon Vazquez. My only thought with Pefok is that maybe he's just the fallback option if Pepi can't find form between now and November. We basically know what we're getting from Pefok - he's a great poacher but basically doesn't do anything else we ask from our strikers at a high level. Assuming Ferreira is our starter and Sargent is the direct backup, I would personally bring Pefok as a change of pace even if Pepi does find form, but it doesn't seem like Berhalter agrees.

Edit: Quote from Berhalter re: above paragraph

Keep in mind that Steffen, Weah, and A. Robinson are all injured but should be back by November and are basically assured spots on the roster, so 1 GK (Horvath/Johnson), 1 FB (Yedlin/Cannon/Scally), and 1 winger (Arriola/Morris) on this roster probably won't make it.

Japan v. USA - Friday Sept. 23, 8:26 AM, Dusseldorf, Germany, ESPN2, Unimas, TUDN
Saudi Arabia v. USA - Tuesday Sept. 27, 2:00 PM, Murcia, Spain, FS1, Unimas, TUDN

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To you from failing hands we throw
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To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
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To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
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To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
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To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
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To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
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To you from failing hands we throw
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To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
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To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
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To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
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To you from failing hands we throw
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To you from failing hands we throw
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Hey! It goes beyond big brother in the sky
Beyond the threat of martial law, No Horus eye
No one came to cuff you they just handed you the chain
Blind follows the blind and now the one-eyed man is king

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To you from failing hands we throw
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To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
@VTnerf on insta, @BuryHokie on twitter, #ThanksFrank

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To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
@VTnerf on insta, @BuryHokie on twitter, #ThanksFrank

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To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
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To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
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Please join The Key Players Club to read or post comments.

To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
@VTnerf on insta, @BuryHokie on twitter, #ThanksFrank

Please join The Key Players Club to read or post comments.

Hey! It goes beyond big brother in the sky
Beyond the threat of martial law, No Horus eye
No one came to cuff you they just handed you the chain
Blind follows the blind and now the one-eyed man is king

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To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
@VTnerf on insta, @BuryHokie on twitter, #ThanksFrank