By Juan Carlos Maygua
The USMNT squad is prepared to face off against Trinidad & Tobago in their first competitive game of the year. This fixture will signal the beginning of a busy year for the national team as they prepare for competitions like The Olympics, Gold Cup, and World Cup Qualifiers.
The camp that started earlier this month will feature most players within the national league due to COVID 19 protocols and the fixture not being part of an official “FIFA date”. The highlight of the camp is Jozy Altidore, the player with the most appearances with the National Team (115). His presence will add leadership and experience in a relatively young squad. Seattle Sounders midfielder Cristian Roldan spoke to the press ahead of tonight’s game touching base on the camp, facing Trinidad & Tobago and Altidore.
The camp and the upcoming talent
It’s been a long time, I missed playing here and the culture that the coach (Berhalter) has created. I’m excited about U.S. soccer in general, being in camp with the U-23’s and looking at the young players abroad and their success, it’s going to be a very competitive pool of players so I’m excited to train and looking forward to competing with them”.
The rivalry with Trinidad & Tobago and Morris’s loan move
“Trinidad is a tricky opponent; a lot of the Caribbean teams are tough to play against. They are very athletic, technically skillful, so it’s a tricky opponent and we had a tough game against them a few years back leading to the World Cup. We got revenge against them in the Gold Cup, I thought we played extremely well and that’s probably the best I’ve seen us play in a while. Now after a month-long camp, we have this tricky opponent who has also been in a month-long camp, so they’re fit and ready to go”. He emphasized the importance of being “Goal dangerous and their reliance on the “High press”.
In terms of Jordan Morris, he added “I’m excited for him, it’s a great opportunity. He has the skillset, the mindset, and the physical attributes to compete at that level. Once his teammates get to know him a little bit better, he will have a lot of success with Swansea. It’s a loan so who knows what his future will hold but I expect him to do extremely well. He has all the attributes to be successful”.
The evolution of the playing style and Altidore’s influence
He praised (Berhalters) decision to try and innovate the teams playing style. “When your playing at the international level is difficult to get the ball because you’re playing against the best of the best. If you can have a really good pressing set up and you can get the ball quick, I think well be more dangerous in front of goal”. Having struggled to find possession against Chile and Mexico, Roldan is looking forward to being more active in midfield for the upcoming 90 minutes.
“I’ve gotten to know Jozy a bit more, we have talked about our “MLS Cup “matchups. Its been great for me personally, being able to take all the information that he gives. He’s also a really good mentor to the “Number 9’s because he plays that position so well. He’s been here before and he likes what he sees so he’s excited about the future, just like myself”.
The importance of experience
“It’s certainly important, these guys are the future, and we need to give them as many games as possible so that in the future they’re experienced and ready to go in big games. This is a friendly so it’s difficult to replicate what a qualifier game would look like, so to give them a first look at international soccer it’s really important”. Overall, the players are ready to contribute to the national team so the game will be interesting to watch. In terms of the uncapped players that will day view tonight, he emphasizes that the most important thing is to get the call and maintain good form, “Consistency is what will keep you here for a while”.
Also, he addressed the possibility of a loan move due to the ongoing situation with the MLS and the Players Association. “It’s important for players to stay in shape and consistent, especially in such a busy year for the team”. Although he was hopeful that they soon reach an agreement to avoid delaying the start of the new season.