- USMNT stars moved to "old" team
- Pulisic the most experienced player in camp
- U.S. set for two friendlies
WHAT HAPPENED? In the lead up to the USMNT's friendly against Uzbekistan, Berhalter divided up his 24-man squad for a series of seven-a-side games in training. To spread out players, three teams were made, based on the players' experience level, to add a bit of competition.
The likes of Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Antonee Robinson and Sergino Dest were stunned to be included in the "old" group, with Robinson the oldest among them at just 26. However, due to the USMNT's youth, that quartet found themselves alongside the likes of 35-year-old veteran Tim Ream.
WHAT THEY SAID: "It's a young group and we played we played seven-a-side today," Behalter began. "we had old vs. medium vs. young and the old team had Christian, Weston, Antonee Robinson, Sergino. It's off the charts how young this group is and to have 18-19 year olds in camp is really fun, and they've been doing a good job."
Berhalter went on to say that some of those young World Cup stars were stunned to be included in the "old" team.
"They were shocked," he said with a laugh. "I think that's something that they were really surprised at. They don't know how time flies. They still think they're one of the younger guys in the team and they're not; they're senior players. They were really surprised and I think they they didn't take it too well, so I'll have to talk to them this afternoon and get them in better spirits!
THE BIGGER PICTURE: The groupings go to show how young the current USMNT pool is, with the average age of the squad just under 24 years old. Despite having 12 World Cup veterans in the team, 14 players in the squad are under the age of 23, while nine of those 14 will be eligible for the Olympics next summer.
Pulisic is the most experienced player in the team with 60 caps at age 24, with Ream, McKennie and Robinson taking up the second, third and fourth spots. The squad, meanwhile, has six players under the age of 21, including newcomers Benjamin Cremaschi and Kevin Paredes.
IN THREE PHOTOS:
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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR THE USMNT? The USMNT will face Uzbekistan in St. Louis on Saturday before taking on Oman on Tuesday in Minnesota for the second match of the international break.