USMNT Stock Watch: Big winners emerge from Gregg Berhalter's first camp as coach

We know a lot more about how Gregg Berhalter’s U.S. men’s national team will play following the recent friendlies against Panama and Costa Rica, the latter match the conclusion to the new coach’s nearly month-long first training camp.

We also know more about his players. Several up-and-comers took their opportunity with both feet; in the Jan. 27 win over Los Canaleros in Berhalter’s debut, it quickly became clear that the likes of defenders Aaron Long and Nick Lima are going to be central figures this cycle, even when the entire player pool is available.

Several others made a strong case for future consideration in Saturday’s 2-0 victory against the Ticos. Meantime, another youngster continues scoring goals for one of Europe’s most storied clubs. Find out which players are hot or not this week below.

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M/F Paul Arriola, D.C. United (MLS)

Although he reported to camp as one of the most experienced members of a young squad, Arriola didn’t start Berhalter’s first match. But when his opportunity came against the Canaleros, the 24-year-old took it, scoring the backbreaking second goal in a 2-0 win:

Takeaway: As a pure winger, the hardworking Californian seems like a perfect fit in the coach’s system, even when the entire player pool is available. “What we ask of our wingers is to be dynamic, to be aggressive, to take players on 1v1 to try to get behind the backline. He certainly met all of that. His work rate was excellent,” Berhalter said. “Overall I think he had a very positive performance.”

M Sebastian Lletget, Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS)

He was named Man of the Match versus the Ticos after scoring the opener and setting up Arriola’s strike on Saturday.

Takeaway: It was the second straight game in which Lletget made an impact off the bench. “He’s got a load of ability,” Berhalter said of the 26-year-old. “He’ll be the first to say he struggled with the structure a little bit in the beginning [of camp]. All the credit goes to Sebastian. When he plays within the structure, now his skill set can take over and help him be very effective.”

F Gyasi Zardes, Columbus Crew (MLS)

Zardes didn’t score in either game, but his positioning was sound. “I think we could’ve done a better job, particularly in the first half, of getting him better service,” Berhalter said after Saturday’s match. The coach believes the goals will come as the veteran, who led Americans in MLS in scoring in 2018, builds his sharpness ahead of the new season.

Takeaway: The 27-year-old clearly remains in Berhalter’s plans. “Overall we’re happy with Gyasi’s play,” he said. “I think he proved that he can be a valuable part of the squad.”

F Tim Weah, Celtic (Scotland)

Weah continues to tear it up for the Bhoys; the 18-year-old from New York City had a goal and an assist in just 16 minutes of action off the bench in Sunday’s 3-0 victory over St. Johnstone.

Takeaway: With three goals in five appearances, four of those as a sub, Weah is making a case for serious minutes in next month’s friendlies against Ecuador and Chile. But does he play as a striker, the spot he’s been used in Glasgow? Or is he better-suited to a wide position in Berhalter’s system, the one Corey Baird has manned so far?

M Cristian Roldan, Seattle Sounders (MLS)

The hard-running Sounders man started both games as one of Berhalter’s two No. 10s and while some rust was evident in the final third, he defended well and didn’t look at all out of place.

Takeaway: The affable Roldan isn’t a starter when everyone else is available. But his versatility on both sides of the ball plus his popularity among teammates and the coaching staff should see him continue to get call-ups.

M Jonathan Lewis, New York City (MLS)

The 21-year-old was a revelation off the bench for the Americans in both games, picking up two assists in just 44 minutes on the field.

Takeaway: Lewis is a project, which means it’s hard to see him getting an invite next month. Still, his two impressive cameos should lead to more playing time with NYCFC; the Floridian made just four starts during his first two seasons in the Bronx.

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M Djordje Mihailovic, Chicago Fire (MLS)

A week after celebrating his international debut with a game winning goal against Panama, Mihailovic fell back to earth against the Ticos. Costa Rica’s physical approach made the 20-year-old playmaker uncomfortable from the start, and he was replaced by Lletget just after the hour mark.

Takeaway: Mihailovic’s struggles shouldn’t have been a huge surprise. The youngster still has a ways to go at the international level, where there’s a lot less time and space than he’s used to in MLS. Speaking of the domestic league, Mihailovic played just over 1,300 minutes in his first two seasons. Becoming a breakout player for the Fire this year is probably his fastest route back to the USMNT.

F Andrija Novakovich, Fortuna Sittard (Netherlands)

After notching his fifth goal of the season two weeks ago, Novakovich had to be subbed out of Sunday’s 5-0 loss against PSV Eindhoven because of an undisclosed injury.

Takeaway: Even if the 22-year-old Wisconsin native only misses a game or two, it could affect his chances of making a case for inclusion for the March roster, which Berhalter is expected to name by the middle of next month.

D DeAndre Yedlin, Newcastle United (England)

He continues to play week-in, week-out in one of the world’s best leagues. But Berhalter has made it clear that he’ll pick the players who fit within his system. And after watching the new boss’ first two games, it’s unclear that Yedlin, for all his experience, does.

Takeaway: Berhalter met with Yedlin in December, so it would seem the veteran is in the plans. He should be. The USMNT is in no position to overlook a Premier League starter. However, it’s looking more and more likely that Yedlin will be used as a wide attacker with the national team — a spot with considerably more competition than fullback.

Doug McIntyre covers soccer for Yahoo Sports. Follow him on Twitter @ByDougMcIntyre.

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