The Olympic qualification tournament is set to start next Friday (3/20) in Guadalajara, Mexico. If you’re reading this you probably already know the basics, but let’s cover it real quick anyhow.
- There are two groups of four teams. Round robin group play with the top two teams from each group moving on to the semi finals.
- #1 plays #2 from the opposite group with the winner of each semi final qualifying for the Olympics.
- There will be a championship game but it doesn’t matter other than pride. Olympic qualification is decided by the semi final results.
| Group A | Group B |
| USA Mexico Costa Rica Dominican Republic | Honduras Canada El Salvador Haiti |
Do we care about the Olympics?
Yes.
You may run across a snob or two that will say it’s a youth tournament (it’s a U23 tourney, but you’re allowed to bring 3 overage players to the actual Olympics, not qualifying) and European teams don’t take it seriously and blah blah blah. Just ignore these people
It’s the Olympics and people all over the world care about the Olympics. I was pumped that the USA won a gold medal in Curling (!) at the last Winter Olympics. Don’t tell me people aren’t gonna care if the US plays well and wins a game or two.
What’s the most famous US sporting event of all time (arguably)? The 1980 USA Hockey team beating the Russians and then going on to win the gold medal. People don’t even care about hockey and it’s still front and center of the national consciousness. If people have an excuse to gather in a bar, chant U-S-A, and cheer for an underdog they are going to do it.
Soccer could use a boost here in the US and a nice Olympic performance from the men would do a lot to help that.
The Team
Possible Starting Lineup
Goalkeepers
*Numbers in parentheses are Transfermarkt values*
Matt Freese (Union 2, 193k), JT Marcinkowski (Reno 1868, 440k), and David Ochoa (Real Monarchs, 275k)
Like most everyone else, I don’t have a lot to say about the goalkeepers. To my knowledge I’ve never seen Freese play, and while I think I’ve seen Marcinkowski I don’t remember anything about it. Ochoa on the other hand, made me feel safe and warm during the U20 World Cup. He’s a very calming presence in back and doesn’t mind some head games. Ochoa would be my choice, we’ll see if Kries agrees.
Fullbacks
Reggie Cannon (FC Dallas, 3.3mil), Chris Gloster (Jong PSV, 275k), Aaron Herrera (RSL, 1.05mil)
Cannon and Gloster are your starters at right and left back with Herrera backing up both spots (Dotson provides cover here as well). Cannon is also your probable team captain and looks likely to make a move to Europe this summer. I feel pretty good about the fullback situation. Not gonna lie it’s an odd sensation.
Center Backs
Mark McKenzie (Union, 550k), Erik Palmer-Brown (Austria Vienna, 770k), Justen Glad (RSL, 880k)
This may be the part of the team I am most worried about. Not that any of these guys are bad players…it’s just they are a little less proven than some other positions on the team and it’s center back. I want center backs to be solid and free of mistakes. This trio doesn’t give me that vibe. McKenzie is the US’ best hope for a modern, ball-playing cb, but he was also in and out of the lineup for Philly last year for performance and health reasons. I haven’t seen EPB play in years, and Glad keeps getting benched by RSL for who knows what reason. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ No center back howlers, please.
Midfielders
Brenden Aaronson (Union, 1.65mil), Hassani Dotson (Minnesota, 770k), Richie Ledezma (Jong PSV, 770k), Djorde Mihailovic (Fire, 3.08mil), Paxton Pomykal (FC Dallas, 2.2mil), Jackson Yueill (San Jose, 1.32mil)
The Transfermarkt values here are poor reflections on the players’ ability levels. (They generally rate players that haven’t made first team debuts too low imo) I would almost (except Dotson) rank them in reverse order.
The starter at the #6 is Yueill and he doesn’t have a clear backup. He might even be the starter for the full USMNT – we have to see how Berhalter uses Adams for the full team yet. I’m very curious to see how Yueill looks this tournament. He’s been good-ish with the USMNT so far, but I’m not completely convinced. These games will provide some useful data.
The other two positions (“Free 8s,” an 8 and a 10, whatever) are some combination of Ledezma, Aaronson, and Pomykal with the possibility that Pomykal or Ledezma could get pushed to a wing spot. The depth and talent available here is very encouraging.
Forwards
Jesus Ferreira (FC Dallas, 2.2mil), Jeremy Ebobisse (Portland, 1.1mil), Uly Llanez (Wolfsburg U19, 138k), Sebastian Saucedo (Pumas, 770k), Jonathan Lewis (Colorado, 1.1mil)
Wolfsburg is only releasing Llanez for the FIFA window, which is March 18-26. Is that enough time for him to start the first game? I’d guess not, but you never know. Either way, I think the team will be good on wingers (Pomykal and Ledezma could both play there if needed).
The concern here is the #9 spot. Ferreira looked pretty good there with the full national team in the Costa Rica friendly, but he has been playing in midfield for Dallas and hasn’t looked great. Ebobisse has been working his way back to fitness and played 23 total minutes so far in two games with Portland. Where are the goals going to come from?
Opponents
- Costa Rica – reportedly doesn’t have a great youth setup, but their senior team is generally considered #3 in CONCACAF. The US needs to win their game against CR or the team will be in a tough spot.
- Dominican Republic – I know nothing about this team, but if this isn’t an easy win we’re in trouble
- Mexico – this is a talented bunch and they are playing at home. We don’t want to need a result against this team in the third game. JJ Macias, Cesar Montes, Uriel Antuna, etc. are all on this team and should probably win it.
I wish I knew more about the opponents, but I don’t want to pretend (no cap 😂) so this is all I’ve got for opposition preview.
Outlook
The US should qualify, but that semi final against (probably) Honduras or Canada, is going to be stressful. I’d love a nice 5-0 against Honduras, but that certainly seems like too much to ask for as a US Soccer fan. You know if we qualify it’s going to be through a last minute goal or in penalties or something. Ugh. Keep a copious supply of your beverage of choice on hand. One way or the other you’ll get some use out of it.
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