Gregg Berhalter explains USMNT Gold Cup roster decisions

The United States men’s national team head coach Gregg Berhalter announced the final 23-player roster ahead of the 2021 Gold Cup on Thursday. Many prominent players included in the Nations League will not be traveling to Kansas City. Despite big absences, Berhalter insists the players featured are perfectly capable of winning the tournament. 

Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie, two players who played a huge role in the team’s Nations League win, will not be traveling to Kansas City. Berhalter credits a need for rest in preparation for the World Cup qualifiers in the fall. Bryan Reynolds and Johnny Cardoso will also miss the Gold Cup.

“The major European players were going to get time off after [Concacaf] Nations League to prepare for their season,” said the coach (via USMNT's official website). “Some other players that are in critical situations in Europe, we felt that it was more important for them to be in preseason with their team, and give them a good chance of making a positive impact with their new coaching staff and with their club, rather than to be in the Gold Cup.

"I talked about being able to affect a larger player pool, being able to have really good information on a broader pool based on the congestion of World Cup qualifying,” he later added. “We get to work on another group, we get to solidify this pool [so] that when we go into qualifying, we know where everyone stands.”

As European players rest, young Major League Soccer players will get a chance to shine. James Sands and Gianluca Busio are significant additions to the roster after fantastic performances in MLS. Sporting Kansas City player Busio, in particular, has impressed Berhalter with his ability on the ball.  

“I've been really impressed with the way he's been playing, mostly at the No. 6 but also, we see him also being able to play an attacking midfield position. So, again, it's about timing, it's about form and his time has come,” said Berhalter of Busio. “He will play in games, you guys will see him on the field.”

The USMNT will kick off their Gold Cup campaign on Sunday, July 11 against an opponent to be determined during a preliminary round in Miami the week prior.