MLS Players to Watch: USMNT vs. Portugal
By Liam Pettit
The USMNT plays Portugal in a friendly. Acting coach David Sarachan’s 21-man roster is full of talent from MLS. This will be U.S Soccer’s last game of 2017.
David Sarachan’s 21-man roster is full of new faces, as well as some more familiar players who are set to go up against Portugal. Below are all the MLS players featuring in Tuesday’s friendly. Kickoff will be at Estádio Dr.Magalhães Pessoa in Portugal at 3:45 p.m ET.
Goalkeepers
Jesse Gonzalez (FC Dallas) – FC Dallas’ Homegrown talent gets another opportunity to represent the USMNT, following his first call up in the knockout round of the 2017 Gold Cup. On June 29th 2017, FIFA approved Gonzalez’s one-time switch, making him no longer eligible to play for El Tri. Gonzalez, who once played for Mexico’s Youth national teams, is now looking to etch a name out for himself in a crowded field of goalkeepers ahead of the 2022 World Cup cycle.
Midfielders
Kellyn Acosta (FC Dallas) – Another FC Dallas product, and one of US Soccer’s brightest young stars comes into the friendly with 16 caps. Acosta saw his fair share of minutes in the 2017 Gold Cup, but will definitely look to make amends for his lack-luster play last summer. Acosta will likely start against Portugal, due to an inexperienced mid-field.
Tyler Adams (New York Red Bulls) – Adams is one of the most intriguing players who made the 23-man roster. If the 18 year-old sees the pitch on Tuesday, he will become the fifth youngest American player to be capped in the past ten years. Adams is a natural central midfielder, but has occasionally featured out wide for the New York Red Bulls. As the United States begins to look ahead to 2022, keep an eye on the versatile Adams as he continues to develop.
Alejandro Bedoya (Philadelphia Union) – The Union’s Designated Player had a pretty quiet season for the Union. Bedoya scored just twice while notching 4 assists in 28 appearances. With 65 caps, Alejandro Bedoya is the most experienced and oldest USMNT player on this roster. With the looming pressure for a youth movement inside the USMNT, this friendly will be an important appearance for the 30 year-old. Bedoya’s role on Tuesday is to provide leadership and composure among a group of unexperienced youngsters.
Kelyn Rowe (New England Revolution) – Kelyn Rowe is looking to build upon his impressive first three appearances for the USMNT in the Gold Cup. Rowe scored his first goal for the Yanks against Nicaragua with a tidy near-post finish. For the Revolution in 2017, Rowe had an impressive 7 assists in only 23 appearances.
Forwards
Juan Agudelo (New England Revolution) – Juan Agudelo was once prophesized to be the next American soccer superstar. Since Agudelo’s breakout, he has left a lot to be desired by U.S Soccer fans. Agudelo scored eight times this year in 28 appearances. On Tuesday, Agudelo has a point to prove to interim coach Dave Sarachan or whoever eventually replaces him, that he is still an asset moving forward.
Dom Dwyer (Orlando City SC)- In his first three caps for the USMNT, the English-born striker has scored twice. The newly naturalized citizen has a proven goal scoring pedigree which he cemented year and year out for Sporting KC, and now with Orlando City. With eyes already on 2022, Dwyer is certainly going to vie for a spot on the roster over the coming years. U.S. Soccer fans should be excited to see whether Dwyer’s club form can translate to the international stage.
CJ Sapong (Philadelphia Union) – With 16 goals and 5 assists for the Philadelphia Union, Sapong is coming off his best season yet. Sapong has not received a call up since 2012, and may have more luck breaking into the team under a new coach. Based on Sapong’s recent form, Sarachan should give CJ the start against the European Champions.