TWO VETERANS RETURN
The camp also is an opportunity for veteran players Brad Guzan and Alfredo Morales to return to the USMNT fold for the first time under Berhalter.
A part of the 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cup squads as well as numerous World Cup Qualifiers, Guzan is the senior-most player on the roster with 60 caps, and another welcome veteran for Berhalter to sprinkle in amongst a growing, young squad.
The 34-year-old would have been part of January Camp if not for Atlanta United FC’s early Champions League schedule, and has round into form with the club, putting up a league leading 12 clean sheets this season while helping the Five Stripes to the 2019 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup title on Tuesday night.
“Brad is a guy that I have a ton of respect for – respect for his career, but more importantly, respect for what type of guy he is. said all along that it’s important for us to maintain the heritage of the U.S. Men’s National Team by having experienced players that have been through World Cup Qualifying or World Cups.
Meanwhile, Morales is back in the picture for the first time since 2016, thanks to a strong preseason and start to the Bundesliga campaign with Fortuna Düsseldorf.
“As a coach, this is a time as a coach where you can feel really good about calling a guy in who has performed really well for his team. I’ve spoken to the management at Düsseldorf and he was one of their top players in preseason, he continued that form into the beginning of the season and it’s great to be able to call him in. We like his mobility, his range and his physicality and tackling. I like his attitude and mindset on the field. He’s a very positive aggressive player and we’re looking forward to getting to know him and working with him. He’s a guy that has done great and it’s nice to be able to reward that.”
The 29-year-old is an example of what Berhalter talks about when he says the door is always open to players that can make a contribution to the USMNT.
