The U.S. men’s national team may be kicking off a title defense Friday night, but you’d have to forgive most for viewing its Concacaf Nations League matches in a different light. The 2022 World Cup is overshadowing and coloring everything the U.S. does, from club performances and moves to national team games between now and the conclusion of the U.S.’s run in Qatar later this year.
Gregg Berhalter has spent his time as manager cultivating the U.S. player pool, exploring his options and building out the depth chart, and as of now, a good chunk of the U.