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USMNT: Top 5 bloomers to watch for 2022 World Cup

By Andrew Dowdeswell

CARSON, CA - FEBRUARY 01: Ulysses Llanez #19 of the United States shows his love to the fans after scoring a goal against Costa Rica at Dignity Health Sports Park on February 1, 2020 in Carson, California. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
CARSON, CA - FEBRUARY 01: Ulysses Llanez #19 of the United States shows his love to the fans after scoring a goal against Costa Rica at Dignity Health Sports Park on February 1, 2020 in Carson, California. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images) /
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SAINT LOUIS, MO – SEPTEMBER 10: Paxton Pomykal #24 of the United States moves with the ball during their International Friendly soccer match Uruguay at Busch Stadium, on September 10, 2019 in St. Louis, MO. (Photo by John Todd/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
SAINT LOUIS, MO – SEPTEMBER 10: Paxton Pomykal #24 of the United States moves with the ball during their International Friendly soccer match Uruguay at Busch Stadium, on September 10, 2019 in St. Louis, MO. (Photo by John Todd/ISI Photos/Getty Images) /

4. Paxton Pomykal

I felt a little uneasy including Paxton Pomykal in this list. He has been a regular starter for FC Dallas for over a year now. But he has actually only made one international appearance and is not yet an established member of the senior squad. That will not be the case for long, though.

Pomykal is already one of the best central midfielders in MLS. Deceptively athletic and industrious defensively, he allies hard work and positional intelligence with superb skill on the ball and accurate distribution. The American played just short of 2,000 minutes for FC Dallas and will become a key starter for the Texans this year once he is fully fit.

He does turn 21 until next December and by the time the World Cup rolls around, he will likely be plying his trade in Europe. As long as he lands at the right club, which is not necessarily a safe assumption to make, he will have a key role in Berhalter’s thinking.

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