In? Out? Eyeing the United States national team roster ahead of World Cup qualifying

The United States national team is done with a busy stretch of games, one that produced an unlikely three wins from as many matches. Capturing the Nations League and beating Costa Rica in a friendly on Wednesday provided some clarity for the squad ahead of World Cup qualifying this fall.

Some players established themselves as locks for head coach Gregg Berhalter’s core group within the United States national team’s player pool. They join the handful of players who came into camp two weeks ago as virtually locks for the team and to start.

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But a lot of questions were answered in these three wins, much needed now with the important games clearly in view. Plenty was learned about the United States national team over these last three games.

A look at how the 23-man roster breaks down for the United States national team and head coach Gregg Berhalter:

Tier I – The Locks

The likes of Christian Pulisic, Gio Reyna, John Brooks and Weston McKennie are absolute sure things for Berhalter provided that they are fit. These players, in both their club situation and for the national team, are capable of producing at a high level. Tyler Adam’s second half insertion into the win over Mexico on Sunday and then his start midweek against Costa Rica puts him in as a lock. His ability to cover space and make recovery runs is elite and world class. Zack Steffen falls into this category too although there must be some concern about his lack of league minutes at Manchester City.

Tier II – Influential

This is where things get a bit tricky in terms of ranking the locks. A player like Barcelona right back Sergino Dest, playing for arguably the biggest club in the world, didn’t replicate this form with the national team in his last four games. At times, Dest can be a liability defensively. In form and committed to doing the dirty work, he should be a lock. His form recently for Berhalter hasn’t looked that way. He simply isn’t well-rounded enough yet to be considered a lock for the United States national team.

The likes of Reggie Cannon, Brenden Aaronson, Antonee Robinson, Josh Sargent, Yunus Musah and Timothy Weah all looked set to play big roles for the United States in qualifying. This is blasphemous on national team social media, because Sargent gets lampooned for his lack of scoring in recent appearances at the international level. But his work rate and positioning is good that he can’t be left out.

Musah, who brings possession and patience on the ball, needs to find his form in La Liga at Valencia but the 19-year old is brimming with potential.

Aaronson along with Cannon and Robinson, are very talented and growing. All three could very easily start for the United States. Weah’s only concern stems from a history of injury and knocks that seem to derail his promise every couple of months.

If fit and healthy, Aaron Long is firmly with this group.

Tier III – Knocking

Over the past week, players like Kellyn Acosta, Theoson-Jordan Siebatcheu and Ethan Horvath all showed that they can contribute, start and be counted upon in big moments. Daryl Dike, fresh off a loan at Barnsley and having scored midweek, falls into this category. All four can and should take the next step in becoming a regular part of Berhalter’s core group of players.

Acosta is a hard worker, a good locker room presence and has some position versatility. Jordan-Siebatcheu scored the winner in the Nations League semifinal against Honduras and has shown well in Europa League play this past spring.

Horvath did well in the friendly loss at Switzerland and of course, was huge in the win over Mexico and then did what was needed against Costa Rica. He needs a better club situation where he can get regularly playing time in a good league.

Dike’s club situation remains in flux given his overseas suitors but even in MLS he will get the chance to play and should build on his solid 2020 with Orlando City.

Chris Richards, though injured, showed at Hoffenheim on loan that he has the pieces and can be a starting center back at the international level. He very quickly could emerge as a Tier I player.

Tier IV – There…for now

Wednesday’s win was a nice bounce back for Mark McKenzie and Tim Ream, the starting central defenders for the United States national team in Sunday’s win over Mexico – both of whom drew criticism for their individual performances (Ream played fine in actuality).

Both can and should be counted on in qualifying. Ream has played in big matches for the national team before and McKenzie is young and growing. Neither should be counted out.

But neither can consider the spots on the team safe.

The same goes for Matt Miazga, who had a very good season in Belgium with Anderlecht but looks uncomfortable with the international pace. He needs to do better but is certainly a piece here for qualifying and the World Cup next year.

Sebastian Lletget has done well for the United States and is a good depth piece here. De Andre Yedlin is one of the few players in the pool with World Cup experience but depth at right back hurts his chance to make an impact.

Tier V – Just waiting

Given the questions at centerback, Walker Zimmerman can and should get a look in the upcoming Gold Cup. The same goes for Atlanta United’s Miles Robinson. The kid is an up and coming center back.

The same should be said of New York Red Bulls attacking midfielder Caden Clark, who has four goals and an assist in MLS so far this season. The Gold Cup would be a great time for him to get some run. He’s a tremendous super sub in the making with a high work rate and soccer IQ.

Erik Palmer-Brown, fresh off a tremendous season in Austria, should be getting a

Tier VI – Dropping

A rough go in Olympic qualifying and now this past week sees Jackson Yueill probably drop out of the national team picture for the time being. This is the case even if he’s included in the Gold Cup roster he likely isn’t a factor come qualifying this fall.

Follow Kristian Dyer of ‘MLS Multiplex‘ on Twitter @KristianRDyer