Robinson, like Yueill, started the year a couple dozen spots down the USMNT depth chart. The Atlanta United center back is not going to earn a Gold Cup start from 10 solid MLS games. But he’s certainly been one of the better center defender in MLS through the opening two months of the season. He’s read the game well, used his athleticism when needed, and added a new composure on the ball when building out of the back. The tough part for Robinson is that center back is probably the USMNT’s deepest position.

One of the spots up for grabs in Berhalter’s team is the attacking midfielder role. Rodriguez has shown he might deserve a look. He starts on the left for Houston, currently the second best team in the league on points per game, but spends most of the game tucked into a central position. He’s been good at receiving the ball between the lines, and more so at making complimentary runs off his more talented teammates — traits that Berhalter values. Rodriguez probably isn’t as talented overall as someone like Cristian Roldan, but Rodriguez might fulfill the unique requirements of Berhalter’s system better.

Two more interesting names…

Alejandro Bedoya and Roldan. It seemed like Bedoya had seen the last of his national team appearances, both for his age and the emotional scar of being on the last qualifying squad, but he’s been excellent over the past two MLS seasons. He’s been a dominant force both on the field and in the locker room for the Union.

Similarly, Roldan’s game has taken a step forward in 2019. He’s moved from “excellent role player” to “central boss.” The one question I have about both of them, which runs counter to my points about Rodriguez and Yueill, is that they might be casualties of Berhalter’s specific tactical system. Bedoya and Roldan are energetic all-arounders, and the system Berhalter has implemented with the USMNT doesn’t appear to use that type of player.

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F Christian Ramirez (LAFC)