We already know four of the starters for Gregg Berhalter in Friday’s U.S. men’s national team friendly against Japan (8 a.m. ET, ESPN2/UniMás).
Berhalter revealed no fewer than four starters for the match, which will be played in Düsseldorf, Germany. Arsenal goalkeeper Matt Turner will get the nod, while Berhalter said he will also give starts to Aaron Long, Sam Vines, and Walker Zimmerman.
“We’re focused right now on the Japan game, evaluating performances there, just looking to have a good team performance. That’s the most important thing,” Berhalter told reporters on Thursday. “We talked about putting the players at ease, focusing on the team performance rather than individual performances. And for tomorrow, we decided to go with Matt in goal.”
Berhalter is surely looking at how the entire group responds as a unit, but in Turner’s case, he may have something else on his mind: match fitness. Turner has appeared just once for Arsenal since his summer move, in a 2-1 Europa League win at FC Zurich. Turner’s last USMNT appearance came in a 5-0 win over Grenada back in June.
In Long, Vines, and Zimmerman, Berhalter in all likelihood announced 75% of his starting back line to face Japan. On Zimmerman, who seems likely to start for the USMNT in Qatar at this point, Berhalter highlighted how important his aerial ability will be for the group.
“He’s a warrior. I think that’s what you want in center backs, as a starting point,” said Berhalter. “That’s what you want as a teammate. So guys can rely on him to give 100% in everything he’s gonna do. Besides from that, a key quality that he has is exceptional in the air. There’s not many people that you see that are that good at heading, and it helps the team especially when we’re pressing and teams are playing long.”
Big praise for Vines
While Long and Zimmerman are a familiar partnership over the past few years, Vines only has eight caps, and his last appearance with the USMNT came in the semifinals of the 2021 Gold Cup.
However, since moving to the Belgian top flight with Royal Antwerp, Vines has become a virtual ever-present. With Antonee Robinson absent through injury, Berhalter has called in plenty of players who have spent time at left back, but only Vines plays the role full-time.
In Berhalter’s opinion, Vines has taken a noticeable step forward of late.
“What I’ve noticed from (Vines) in particular is the speed of his decision-making has gotten better, has improved. He looks a lot more sure of himself, (being) aggressive, attacking down the left wing,” said Berhalter. “He’s been coming inside a little bit with his club sometimes, and that helps give him flexibility.”
“I see a confident Sam Vines, a guy who has been embracing one-v-one duels, embracing getting the ball under pressure and being able to play out of pressure. Overall he’s a guy that I’ve been really pleased with this camp. He’s another one that’s gonna start tomorrow. So, really excited about him, and him getting this opportunity, because when he’s played with us, he’s played well. So excited to see him get this opportunity tomorrow.”
[lawrence-related id=7258,7251]