New U.S. National Team Coach Announced
August 24, 2020
With all the young talent coming out of the United States, the national team has decided to name a young 31-year-old, Thomas Buckingham, their newest head coach.
There was a lot of negativity surrounding the national team after they failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, but the fanbase has since moved on. With an increasing number of Americans joining top clubs in Europe, players and fans are more excited than ever to see the potential these players can reach. Weston McKennie has joined Juventus, Christian Pulisic is in his second season at Chelsea, and Tyler Adams is playing for another Champions League side in RB Leipzig. The 2022 World Cup is just two years away, but might come too soon for this U.S. national team to compete with the best. However, in 2026 the Yanks could be a side looking to break through. The tournament will be held in the U.S. and the majority of the top young American talents should be in their prime.
Since the end of the last cycle, there have been questions about Michael Bradley’s future. He was the team's captain and vital for the U.S. leading up to 2018. He is yet to play a match in a U.S. shirt this cycle, but definitely has the talent to be here. His 151 caps is third all-time and his leadership on the pitch is irreplaceable. Another name is the striker Jozy Altidore. He’s another veteran who is in the top 10 with 115 caps and his 42 goals is third all-time.
The Youth Movement
There is a lot of hype coming out of the United States with all the young talent not only playing in Europe, but making an impact on the pitch. Chrisitan Pulisic has been doing it the longest after breaking into the Borussia Dortmund first team during the 2016/17 season. More recently, Weston McKennie broke in with Schalke and became a key player for the Bundesliga side before joining Italian giant, Juventus. McKennie’s midfield partner on the international side is Tyler Adams. The former New York Red Bulls player joined German side RB Leipzig back in January 2019. He’s been a rotation player for the first year and a half and will look to establish himself as a regular this season. All three of those players are just 21-years old and have plenty of time to grow into some top class players at top clubs.
Looking past those three U.S. regulars, the national team has a number of young players who have the potential to make a difference at the international level. The name everyone is talking about is Gio Reyna. The 17-year old made 15 Bundesliga appearances last season and will look to grow on that this season. Another 17-year old making a name for himself is Yunus Musah. Leading up to this 2020/21 club season, the New York native is yet to make a first team appearance. Buckingham has not made it clear if Musah needs to break into the first team at Valencia before he calls him in. Another thing to look at is which of these two players will start in the midfield. Both have played on the wing and in the middle for their club. It’s clear Weston McKennie and Tyler Adams will start which leaves just one spot for either Musa or Reyna. With Pulisic a lock to start on the left wing, the two teenages could also break into the national team on the right.
The Dual Nationals
This is always a big topic for the United States. John Brooks is massively important to this national side. He elected to play for the U.S. over his native Germany. Antonee Robinson was born in England, but he’s poised to be the starting left back for the U.S. for at least two cycles. Gio Reyna, who made it clear since day one he would only play for the U.S., was born in England when his father Caudio was playing at Sunderland.
This next generation has a few dual nationals who could make an impact for the USMNT. First is at the striker position. Although there is plenty of depth, the No. 9 spot is definitely the weakest for the U.S. Jozy Altidore is the most talented player, but he’s 30-years old and has been injury prone of late. Another name is Gyasi Zardes who has gotten the majority of the minutes this cycle, but talent wise, he’s no more than a placeholder until one of the top young talents break through. Both Sebastian Soto and Ricardo Pepi have the potential to break in soon and both have the option to play for Chile (Soto) or Mexico (Pepi). Jesus Ferreira broke into the FC Dallas first team at 17-year old and has been capped with the USMNT one time, but isn’t cap tied just yet. Ferreria could also play for Columbia as well. Lastly, Jordan Siebatcheu was born in Washington D.C., but moved to France at a very young age making him eligible for both nations. He’s represented France at the youth level, however rumors are he’s likely to finally accept a U.S. callup after the Yanks have been in constant contact with the Young Boy’s striker for a few years now.
What’s Next
Buckingham signed on as the head coach of the U.S. just four days before he’s expected to announce his first U.S. roster. The U.S. have friendlies against Canada and Egypt next week and will wrap up 2020 in October against Australia and Guatemala on home soil.
In 2021, the U.S. already have a scheduled Nations League semi-finals matchup against Costa Rica at CenturyLink Field in Seattle. If the U.S. wins, they’ll likely face off against Mexico in the final.
With all the young talent coming out of the United States, the national team has decided to name a young 31-year-old, Thomas Buckingham, their newest head coach.
There was a lot of negativity surrounding the national team after they failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, but the fanbase has since moved on. With an increasing number of Americans joining top clubs in Europe, players and fans are more excited than ever to see the potential these players can reach. Weston McKennie has joined Juventus, Christian Pulisic is in his second season at Chelsea, and Tyler Adams is playing for another Champions League side in RB Leipzig. The 2022 World Cup is just two years away, but might come too soon for this U.S. national team to compete with the best. However, in 2026 the Yanks could be a side looking to break through. The tournament will be held in the U.S. and the majority of the top young American talents should be in their prime.
Since the end of the last cycle, there have been questions about Michael Bradley’s future. He was the team's captain and vital for the U.S. leading up to 2018. He is yet to play a match in a U.S. shirt this cycle, but definitely has the talent to be here. His 151 caps is third all-time and his leadership on the pitch is irreplaceable. Another name is the striker Jozy Altidore. He’s another veteran who is in the top 10 with 115 caps and his 42 goals is third all-time.
The Youth Movement
There is a lot of hype coming out of the United States with all the young talent not only playing in Europe, but making an impact on the pitch. Chrisitan Pulisic has been doing it the longest after breaking into the Borussia Dortmund first team during the 2016/17 season. More recently, Weston McKennie broke in with Schalke and became a key player for the Bundesliga side before joining Italian giant, Juventus. McKennie’s midfield partner on the international side is Tyler Adams. The former New York Red Bulls player joined German side RB Leipzig back in January 2019. He’s been a rotation player for the first year and a half and will look to establish himself as a regular this season. All three of those players are just 21-years old and have plenty of time to grow into some top class players at top clubs.
Looking past those three U.S. regulars, the national team has a number of young players who have the potential to make a difference at the international level. The name everyone is talking about is Gio Reyna. The 17-year old made 15 Bundesliga appearances last season and will look to grow on that this season. Another 17-year old making a name for himself is Yunus Musah. Leading up to this 2020/21 club season, the New York native is yet to make a first team appearance. Buckingham has not made it clear if Musah needs to break into the first team at Valencia before he calls him in. Another thing to look at is which of these two players will start in the midfield. Both have played on the wing and in the middle for their club. It’s clear Weston McKennie and Tyler Adams will start which leaves just one spot for either Musa or Reyna. With Pulisic a lock to start on the left wing, the two teenages could also break into the national team on the right.
The Dual Nationals
This is always a big topic for the United States. John Brooks is massively important to this national side. He elected to play for the U.S. over his native Germany. Antonee Robinson was born in England, but he’s poised to be the starting left back for the U.S. for at least two cycles. Gio Reyna, who made it clear since day one he would only play for the U.S., was born in England when his father Caudio was playing at Sunderland.
This next generation has a few dual nationals who could make an impact for the USMNT. First is at the striker position. Although there is plenty of depth, the No. 9 spot is definitely the weakest for the U.S. Jozy Altidore is the most talented player, but he’s 30-years old and has been injury prone of late. Another name is Gyasi Zardes who has gotten the majority of the minutes this cycle, but talent wise, he’s no more than a placeholder until one of the top young talents break through. Both Sebastian Soto and Ricardo Pepi have the potential to break in soon and both have the option to play for Chile (Soto) or Mexico (Pepi). Jesus Ferreira broke into the FC Dallas first team at 17-year old and has been capped with the USMNT one time, but isn’t cap tied just yet. Ferreria could also play for Columbia as well. Lastly, Jordan Siebatcheu was born in Washington D.C., but moved to France at a very young age making him eligible for both nations. He’s represented France at the youth level, however rumors are he’s likely to finally accept a U.S. callup after the Yanks have been in constant contact with the Young Boy’s striker for a few years now.
What’s Next
Buckingham signed on as the head coach of the U.S. just four days before he’s expected to announce his first U.S. roster. The U.S. have friendlies against Canada and Egypt next week and will wrap up 2020 in October against Australia and Guatemala on home soil.
In 2021, the U.S. already have a scheduled Nations League semi-finals matchup against Costa Rica at CenturyLink Field in Seattle. If the U.S. wins, they’ll likely face off against Mexico in the final.