Birmingham coach: ‘Special’ Trusty deserves USMNT World Cup roster spot

The 24-year-old has been an ever-present for the Championship side this season

Could Auston Trusty be the answer for the U.S. national team at center back? His club coach thinks so.

After Trusty scored a brace for Birmingham City in a 3-0 win over Bristol City on Saturday, John Eustace said he’s spoken to USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter and told him Trusty deserves to be on the World Cup roster.

“It’s definitely not too late,” Eustace said. “I have spoken to the U.S. manager, I have told him how well he is doing, it’s important that they see that and understand he is playing in one of the toughest leagues in Europe, week in week out against top, top players. He should be on that plane definitely.”

Trusty joined Arsenal this summer from the Colorado Rapids and was immediately sent on loan to Birmingham. He’s been a fixture for the Championship outfit, playing every minute of its 13 league games so far.

With just one month to go until Berhalter names his World Cup squad, the uncapped Trusty would appear to be major longshot despite his strong form in 2022-23.

But Eustace has challenged Berhalter to come to a game and decide for himself.

“I think they have watched a couple of games on video but I have told them to come and get the scouts out and watch him play. He should come and watch him himself. He is a special talent and he is going to be a top player going forward.

“He is getting better. He is a young player coming from the MLS into the Championship, a very, very tough league, he has got good players around him. He is in a good environment for him to develop and that’s what I want.

“I want people to come to Birmingham, develop, get better and improve. He is certainly doing that at the moment. We are very happy to have the player playing for Birmingham City.”

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