USMNT vs El Salvador: Stars and Stripe's call-up at risk by COVID-19

Stars and Stripes coach Gregg Berhalter expressed concern that his call-up for the USMNT vs. El Salvador game could be at risk from COVID-19, specifically the omicron variant. 

The coach admitted that he is considering the possibility of more contagions within his group with the arrival of players who play primarily for teams in Europe, as was the case with Gianluca Busio of Venezia. 

It was the contagion of this player and his consequent withdrawal from the U.S. team that set off alarm bells in the American press and among the supporters of the team coached by Berhalter, who says that he has considered the possibility of having to deal with more departures from the group. 

The World Cup qualifiers are just around the corner and the U.S. National Team will face a difficult FIFA matchday against their counterparts from El Salvador, Canada, and Honduras. 

Busio's infection was a bucket of cold water for the entire USMNT

Everything had been joyful in the North American team regarding the call-up for the World Cup Qualifiers, as the USMNT had had a formidable qualifying campaign, finishing second in the standings. 

They had even celebrated overtaking Mexico, long known as the "CONCACAF Giants," in qualifying. 

But Busio's contagion put the U.S. squad and coach on alert. 

On the subject, Berhalter said, "In Busio's case, we called him, but he got COVID, and that's unfortunate. But he was in the squad and we had to make a change," were the answers of the Stars and Stripes coach at a press conference. 

The coach was approached by the media about the possibility of more contagions within the squad with the arrival of players who play in foreign leagues. 

Gregg Berhalter and his strategy for taking care of his players

Faced with this possibility, the coach reminded the media that this is one of the reasons why there are 23 players on the USMNT roster and that the possibility of more outbreaks of omicron is contemplated. 

Berhalter detailed this, "When you look at the speed at which this new variant of COVID has spread, we can expect guys to come into camp and test positive, that's nature. So we need protection on that, plus playing three games in seven days increases the risk of injury, and losing important players to card accumulation”. 

In addition, the USMNT coach hinted to the media that the area where he will be most encouraged to try out changes will be in attack.

For this area, the coach is willing to try different combinations between his main strikers such as Christian Pulisic, Brenden Aaronson, Tim Weah, Jordan Morris, and Paul Arriola.

Berhalter assured that in order not to have problems in the squad with injuries, fatigue, or suspensions, he will try to give minutes to as many players as possible to be able to deal with the issue of having to play the three games in less than five days.

So far the only known contagion in the USMNT is Busio, but Gregg Berhalter's game plan already contemplates the possibilities and everything suggests that his game plan will be able to get his players safely to the World Cup Qualifiers.