USMNT considering December camp and match

The United States Men’s National Team may not be done with 2020. In a press conference ahead of tomorrow’s friendly against Panama, head coach Gregg Berhalter said that the team is hoping to schedule a camp and match in December.

“We’re trying to play in December, hopefully that gets done,” said Berhalter during the press conference. He hinted that the camp and match would take place in the United States and include mostly players from Major League Soccer. “[The Panama match} will certainly be the last time this group is together this year. And anytime we’re together, what we’re stressing on them is we want to compete to win games,” Berhalter mentioned regarding the current, mostly European-based roster that is currently in camp.

If the USMNT scheduled a camp and match in December, that match would occur outside of a FIFA international window. The current window, where the USMNT also played Wales in addition to tomorrow’s match against Panama, is the final FIFA window of the year. That would mean that a roster would include almost entirely players from MLS and Liga MX. The MLS Cup final is on December 12th, and the Liga MX Apertura playoffs conclude on December 13th, so all players from that league would be available after that date.

Gregg Berhalter did not indicate what teams they are in talks with for a match, but a camp with domestic players will be yet another chance for the coaching staff to evaluate some of the young talent in the league along with working with some of the regulars on the national team that call MLS home.

Thoughts on a possible camp and match at home in December? Who do you think the team should try to schedule? Hit the comments and discuss.