With Berhalter saying that he will need extra players when the USMNT plays three games within a seven-day span during World Cup qualifying this fall, Sands' versatility will come in handy. Of course, he has to be selected first.
Sands, however, refused to assume anything, noting there were several center backs ahead of him, including John Brooks, Walker Zimmerman, Tim Ream, Mark McKenzie and the injured Aaron Long, among others.
"I think am certainly pushing my way up the depth chart," he said, adding that he entered camp "just wanting to get the experience with the National Team, put everything out there and do my best. In the end that's the coach's decision, who's the first center back who's the first six, who's the second center back.
"But I think if I keep putting in strong performances, I can certainly make a good case for myself. So in the games going forward I'm certainly going to try and do that and try and make a name for myself."
He has gotten off to a pretty good start.
