USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter to assess injured players on ‘case-by-case basis’ before World Cup

With World Cup roster submissions drawing closer United States Men’s National Team head coach Gregg Berhalter said they will address injury concerns on a ‘case-by-case’ basis.

Berhalter is set to name his 26-player roster on Wednesday from his 32-player pool, however a recent uptake in injuries may have complicated his plans.

‘Ideally, we’d want guys fit, playing 90 minutes every week,’ Berhalter said. ‘There is less lead time to get the guys fit, so we’re just gonna have to take it on a case-by-case basis.’

United States manager Gregg Berhalter said injuries will be addressed on a ‘case-by-case’ basis

Celta Vigo midfielder Luca de la Torre is out with a hamstring injury until just before the start of the tournament. Juventus midfielder Weston Mckennie is expected to be out for another 10 days with a quad injury, although his prognosis looks more promising than that of de la Torre.

Meanwhile Arsenal goalkeeper Matt Turner has missed the last three games since picking up a groin injury and centerback Chris Richards hasn’t played for Crystal Palace since August 27th after picking up a leg injury.

‘You do have five subs [per game], so there’s some positions that if you sub regularly, you can say, ‘OK, maybe it’s not that big of a deal that the guy’s not 100% fit because you can get ’em out anyway,’ Berhalter said.

 Weston McKennie has been dealing with a quad injury but should be healthy in time for Qatar

‘So there’s a number of things you just have to take into consideration.’

Center back has been one of the major areas of concern for the U.S with both Richards and Miles Robinson out hurt however, Berhalter feels confident he can put together a group that will be able to succeed.

‘Some of the guys we’re working with right now, Aaron Long and Walker Zimmerman, we’re able to work with them now for about two weeks, which would be a good period. 

‘Guys that were injured last camp, like Cameron Carter-Vickers is now back on the field. That’s helpful. Mark McKenzie’s playing every week in Belgium.

‘Eric Palmer-Brown’s playing every week in France. And Tim Ream is playing every week in the Premier League. That’s a good thing. So I’m pretty comfortable that with that group we can get four center backs that can help us win games.’

Cameron Carter-Vickers missed the USA’s last camp with an injury however should be available for the World Cup