Addressing members of the media on Monday, USMNT goalie Matt Turner spoke about injuries to his defenders.
More recently, Cameron Carter-Vickers and Chris Richards dropped out of the USMNT September team. Both are dealing with injuries, so they will miss the pair of scheduled matches against Japan and Saudi Arabia.
In May, Miles Robinson, a center-back prop with Walker Zimmerman during World Cup qualifying, tore his Achilles tendon in an MLS match. While the Atlanta United defender is working on his recovery, it may be challenging for him to be healthy, let alone fit, in time for the World Cup.
Naturally, the replacements for Carter-Vickers and Richards in the September games are two more center backs. Erik Palmer-Brown and Mark McKenzie, who played during World Cup qualifying, will fill the void in the upcoming games.
Turner says it doesn’t matter who plays in front of him. To him, the talent and options available to Gregg Berhalter are strong, regardless of the name on the back of the jersey.
Concerns about the USMNT in the center of the back?
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Matt Turner, who played for Arsenal when the Gunners won 2-1 in their Europa League opener, does not receive regular first-team minutes. He plays behind Aaron Ramsdale, and usually sees Europa League appearances or potential cup competitions later this season. His move to Arsenal was instead due to trying to get better and better with intensified competition from an elite club like Arsenal.
For the United States, he is the likely starter, but the lack of minutes is a concern to consider. He performs well in the Red, White and Blue, but does so behind a relatively consistent defense.
With Walker Zimmerman perhaps the only healthy option at the back to see consistent, reliable minutes during World Cup qualifying, the pair of games against Japan and Saudi Arabia bring a new focus on goalkeeping and defense.
For Turner, the change in those in front of him allows one of his other strengths to flourish. If there is no familiarity, organization and management take over. On the field, that comes from the goalkeeper. In Turner steps, who credits his communication as a reason for his comfort in goal even though he has no experience with his central defenders in the USMNT.
The United States plays the first of two friendlies on Friday, September 23, against Japan. Four days later, the US is in Spain to face another World Cup-bound team, Saudi Arabia.
PHOTO: Imago/Icon Sportswire
