The United States men’s national team are back in action today. After nine months of drama and uncertainty, Gregg Berhalter makes his return as U.S. head coach in a friendly against Uzbekistan in St. Louis.
While this team has gone on to play in two international competitions after the conclusion of the 2022 World Cup, these two friendlies feel like the official beginning of the road to a home soil World Cup in 2026.
Coming off of the beginning of the European domestic seasons, Berhalter has called in a mix of first-choice players and new faces. It could be by design that these two September opponents on the weaker side of competitiveness to allow for some fresh meat to get their chance to shine or at least be integrated into the squad.