Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.
Gregg Berhalter will make his return to the touchline as the United States match up against Uzbekistan on Saturday, September 9, followed by a game against Oman on Tuesday, September 12. Both games are international friendlies, with another pair of friendlies against Germany and Ghana coming in mid-October.
The United States has never faced either Uzbekistan or Oman, making them the 101st and 102nd different opponent in USMNT history, according to U.S. Soccer. The game against 74th-ranked Uzbekistan will be held at CityPark in St. Louis, while the match against 73rd-ranked Oman will take place at Allianz Field in St. Paul, Minnesota.
This international window represents a rare opportunity over the next few years for the United States to face opponents from the Asian confederation. Asian nations have a busy schedule over the next few years, with the upcoming AFC Asian Cup in January just the tip of the iceberg.
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USA roster for September friendlies vs Uzbekistan, Oman
The USMNT squad for the September friendlies against Uzbekistan and Oman has not yet been released. Instead, it is expected to come out on Wednesday, August 30, but we do have some insight into who might be called in.
According to a report by Doug McIntyre of Fox Sports, Gregg Berhalter has included Inter Miami duo Drake Callender and Benjamin Cremaschi on the 50-player provisional roster, who have both been sensational for the MLS club since the arrival of Lionel Messi. Inter Miami full-back DeAndre Yedlin is also reportedly on the provisional list, which will likely be cut about in half for the final announcement.
Callender and Cremaschi both have a good chance of making the final list, since other U.S. goalkeepers are struggling with injuries (Sean Johnson has a broken hand, Zack Steffen had knee surgery) or poor form (Ethan Horvath is stuck behind USMNT starter Matt Turner at Nottingham Foreset). Cremaschi, meanwhile, is an 18-year-old who has eligibility for both the United States and Argentina, and it would be smart for Berhalter to give him a chance in a friendly with the hopes of swaying his eventual decision.
Injuries are an issue for the USMNT as well, as there are others who will miss out aside from aforementioned goalkeepers Johnson and Steffen. Cameron Carter-Vickers suffered a hamstring injury, sidelining him for two months, while Josh Sargent suffered what is believed to be a serious ankle injury this past weekend. Tyler Adams has yet to return from his hamstring injury to debut for his new club Bournemouth.
Gio Reyna has missed the start of the Borussia Dortmund season after suffering a muscle injury on Nations League duty over the summer, but he has returned to training and therefore could be involved, although Berhalter could be cautious with the young midfielder as he eyes his season debut in Germany.
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Gregg Berhalter to name first squad of second USMNT stint
While the upcoming matches are just international friendlies, meaning some experimentation could occur, it’s thought that Gregg Berhalter will name a strong side in his first match back as manager.
Berhalter was hired in 2018 and led the USMNT through the 2022 World Cup cycle, but his contract ran out after last December’s FIFA tournament, and it was not immediately renewed. The federation conducted a full search process, interviewing candidates and assessing the situation, but ultimately decided to re-hire Berhalter for the 2026 World Cup cycle.
Now, ahead of the 2026 FIFA tournament, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Berhalter’s job is a massive one, navigating the 2024 Copa America and the 2025 Gold Cup before the vital and massive 2026 event.