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The U.S. men’s national team has a busy summer on its hands with involvement in the 2024 Copa America and Paris Olympics vastly approaching.
Both Gregg Berhalter and Marko Mitrovic have several major decisions to make regarding their rosters, knowing strong runs in each tournament are expected. Unlike the Copa America, where Berhalter will have many of his first-choice options available, Olympic rules state that rosters can only have three players older than 23-years-old.
A lot of the players in the current USMNT pool can fall into both categories, but may be saved for one tournament or the other.
With both competitions coming up this summer, here is a closer look at which USMNT players could use an opportunity at the Olympics:
Ricardo Pepi
Ricardo Pepi remains high on the USMNT’s striking pecking order, but a limited club role this season could see him passed over for others at the Copa America.
Pepi, 21, is eligible for Mitrovic’s Olympic roster and very well could lead the line for the United States. The former FC Dallas homegrown has tallied nine goals for PSV this season in 36 combined appearances.
However, Luuk De Jong’s goalscoring abilities and veteran presence have made it tough for Pepi to earn consistent minutes in Holland this season.
With Folarin Balogun, Haji Wright, Josh Sargent, and Brandon Vazquez also fighting for international opportunities this summer, Pepi might be the odd man out based off his lack of consistent playing time (693 minutes this season).
Brenden Aaronson
Another American attacker that could be of good use in the Olympic squad is Brenden Aaronson.
Aaronson is finishing his loan spell at Union Berlin in the German Bundesliga, finding better moments in 2024 compared to 2023. The 23-year-old has scored twice in 33 combined appearances for Union Berlin, totaling just under 1,200 minutes of playing time.
Aaronson’s loan spell ultimately hasn’t gone as…
Source link : https://sbisoccer.com/2024/04/741154
Author : Larry Henry Jr
Publish date : 2024-04-15 21:08:00
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