Gregg Berhalter on Aaron Long: “I think he’s doing quite well and pleased with his progress.”
By Michael Lewis
FrontRowSoccer.com Editor
Out in social media, Red Bulls center back Aaron Long has been taking a beating from some fans.
Certain segments of fandom feel Long is the worst defender in the world.
During Thursday’s Zoom conference call with the media prior to Friday’s Concacaf Nations League opener against Grenada in Austin, Texas on Friday night (ESPN+, 10 p.m. ET), U.S. men’s national team head coach Gregg Berhalter defended his defender.
“That’s insane, to say something like that,” Berhalter said. “The guy was [2018] defender the year in MLS. He’s coming back from an Achilles injury. We’re purposely putting him in these games to keep pushing him to keep improving. He’s got a great character. He’s got tremendous speed and he’s working his way back to this level, which is a different level. I think he’s doing quite well and pleased with his progress.”
Where does Roldan fit?
Conspicuously missing from the first two games of the June international window has been midfielder Cristian Roldan, a vital member of the Concacaf Champions League champion Seattle Sounders.
Berhalter admitted he had to find some room to get Roldan into at least one of the final two matches.
“Cristian is a guy that has been doing great for his club,” Berhalter said. He’s been playing winger for his club. For us he’s played midfield, sometimes winger, but overall great team guy. He competes more than I think anyone on the team. Fantastic attitude. Student of the game, always learning. always improving, and unfortunately, he hasn’t gotten game time yet. That’s one of the things when we’re looking at these rosters and trying to deal with six substitutes and get guys on the field. It’s been difficult. I’ve had to have a number of conversations with Cristian just telling him to try to be patient. I would like to get him on the field these next two games.”
Games over training
Even though the team will be together for two weeks, Berhalter admitted the squad hasn’t had as much training as some outside observers might think. The team plays a game, has a day of recovery, prepares for the next game and then plays again.
“We didn’t really have many training days as long as the camp has been,” Berhalter said. “We think about the whole group wasn’t together until Monday. We played our first game on Wednesday.”
That was the 3-0 win over Morocco on June 1.
“So, we only had two days there and then it’s about recovery after that,” he added. “It hasn’t been extensive training. We’re learning the most from these guys in the games. In this camp, we evaluate every player. We’re running out of game time to do that. We’re going have to use some players that we haven’t used yet and give them the opportunity to prove themselves either in this game and the next.”
The USMNT’s final game, a CNL encounter, is set in El Salvador on June 14.
Not talking the talk for now
Berhalter admitted that he was “a little bit hesitant sometimes to share past experience with the players,” especially about the 2002 World Cup.
The head coach played a vital role in the two knockout-round games with the USA. After not playing in the three group stage matches, Berhalter helped the Americans secure a dos a cero result against Mexico in the Round of 16 and was a starter in the 1-0 loss to Germany in the quarterfinals.
“I know that there will be a day when I’ll call on that experience, and really talk to them about it because the World Cup is a different feeling,” he said. “No matter what competition you’ve ever played in your life and you’re in a World Cup, it’s completely different. To give them to help share that experience with them, I think will be helpful and they’ll be there for that.”
FrontRowSoccer.com editor Michael Lewis has written a new book, ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. You can learn more about it or purchase it here:
