USMNT roster reaction: 5 key players to watch

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CHESTER, PA – MAY 28: Christian Pulisic #10 of the US Men’s National Team lines up for the corner kick during the International Friendly Match between United States Mens National Team v Bolivia at Talen Energy Stadium on May 28, 2018 in Chester, PA. The US Men’s National Team won the match with a score of 3 to 0. (Photo by Ira L. Black/Corbis via Getty Images) /

The USMNT roster for upcoming friendlies against England and Italy has been announced with a plethora of young, exciting talents included. Here are five players to watch during the November international break.

Dave Sarachan announced his US Men’s National Team 28-man roster for the upcoming friendlies in Europe. The highlight of the USMNT roster is undoubtedly the return of Borussia Dortmund winger Christian Pulisic.

The average age of this roster is very young at 23 years old, additionally, this roster is very raw in international experience with 18 players at 10 caps or less.

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Let’s take a look at the squad.

Goalkeepers (3): Brad Guzan (Atlanta United FC), Ethan Horvath (Club Brugge), Zack Steffen (Columbus Crew SC)

Defenders (10): John Brooks (Wolfsburg), Reggie Cannon (FC Dallas), Cameron Carter-Vickers (Swansea City), Aaron Long (New York Red Bulls), Matt Miazga (Nantes), Shaq Moore (Reus Deportiu), Antonee Robinson (Wigan Athletic), Jorge Villafaña (Portland Timbers), DeAndre Yedlin (Newcastle United), Walker Zimmerman (LAFC)

Midfielders (13): Kellyn Acosta (Colorado Rapids), Tyler Adams (New York Red Bulls), Luca de la Torre (Fulham), Marky Delgado (Toronto FC), Romain Gall (Malmo), Julian Green (Greuther Fürth), Sebastian Lletget (LA Galaxy), Weston McKennie (Schalke), Darlington Nagbe (Atlanta United), Christian Pulisic (Borussia Dortmund), Kenny Saief (Anderlecht), Wil Trapp (Columbus Crew SC), Tim Weah (Paris Saint-Germain)

Forwards (2): Josh Sargent (Werder Bremen), Bobby Wood (Hannover 96)

There are experienced players on this roster such as Brad Guzan, DeAndre Yedlin, John Brooks and Bobby Wood. Their leadership will be needed as USMNT look to build on a lackluster set of October friendlies. The mix of youth, experience and type of players will make for an exciting final two friendlies in Dave Sarachan’s reign as USMNT manager. These are five players who USMNT fans will want to keep a keen eye on.

(Photo by VALERY HACHE / AFP) (Photo credit should read VALERY HACHE/AFP/Getty Images) /

5. Ethan Horvath

Ethan Horvath has had his fair share of ups and downs in his young career. At only 23, the Club Brugge goalkeeper was once touted as next up to Tim Howard and Brad Guzan for the USMNT. Horvath moved to Molde in Norway in 2013 as an 18-year-old. He became a first team regular at the club in 2015 and went on to make 54 appearances in the Eliteserien, Europa League qualifying and Champions League Qualifying.

In 2017, Horvath made the move to Club Brugge in Belgium. Unfortunately for Horvath and USMNT, the keeper has struggled to make his way on the field and has been benched multiple times while at the club. He has only made 14 league appearances since joining Brugge but it seems that his fortunes may be changing as he made his first Champions League start and made 6 saves in a clean sheet versus Monaco to help his team win 4-0.

With Zack Steffen and Brad Guzan both playing games on Sunday in the MLS Playoffs it is likely that Ethan Horvath could start against England on Thursday. It will be interesting to see how he can perform if called upon to build upon his Champions League performance.

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