2 Atlanta United players called up by U.S. for World Cup qualifiers

Atlanta United centerback Miles Robinson and fullback George Bello were called to the U.S. men’s national team for next week’s 2022 World Cup qualifying games.

Manager Gregg Berhalter’s team was released by the United States Soccer Federation on Thursday.

“It’s about a chance to earn the right to participate in the World Cup,” Berhalter said. “It’s a great moment for the team. We feel like we have good depth in the squad. Now, its about doing it. It kicks off next week, and it’s going to be an exciting three-game series.”

The U.S. will play at El Salvador on Sept. 2, vs. Canada on Sept. 5 and at Honduras on Sept. 8. It remains to be seen if Robinson and Bello will re-join Atlanta United for its MLS game against Orlando on Sept. 10.

Berhalter said it’s nice that the team already has won the Nations League and Gold Cup and reached No. 10 in FIFA’s world rankings, but those aren’t what are most important.

“It’d be a failure if we don’t qualify for the World Cup. All of our work would be undone if we don’t qualify for the World Cup,” Berhalter said

This marks the second time this summer that the two players were called up by Berhalter. Both were key players in the U.S. winning the Gold Cup by defeating Mexico on Aug. 1. Robinson has nine appearances for the U.S. and Bello has three. With one more appearance, Bello will be tied to the U.S. based on the number of international matches played. He currently is eligible to play for Nigeria.

Among the centerbacks Robinson will be competing against are John Brooks, James Sands, Mark McKenzie, Tim Ream and Walker Zimmerman, who is a native of Lawrenceville. Berhalter said there are six central defenders in the group because he wants to keep some tactical flexibility.

Berhalter said Thursday that he thinks Robinson should have been named the MVP of the Gold Cup because he scored two goals and the team gave up just one goal on a set piece in the entire tournament.

“He exceeded expectations in the Gold Cup, and are looking for him to do that again in the qualifying round,” Berhalter said. “For him, it’s about taking that next step.”

Among the left backs that Bello will be competing against are Sergino Dest, DeAndre Yedlin and Antonee Robinson. Bello is the only MLS-based player in the fullback pool. Berhalther said the decision came down to Sam Vines, who split time with Bello in the Gold Cup. Vines is adjusting to a new club in Europe after his recent transfer from Colorado.

Berhalter said that Bello performed well in the Gold Cup and that the U.S. coaches like “his performance, his mentality and his tenacity,” and that they are looking forward to seeing how he performs in the road games in Central America.

Bello does have previous experience playing in Central America because of Atlanta United’s games in the Champions League in Costa Rica, Honduras and Mexico.

“We believe George is a massive part of the future, and a great opportunity to get him involved now,” Berhalter said.

Bello and Robinson won’t join the camp until after Saturday’s game against Nashville at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Both players were named to the MLS All-Star team and helped defeat a team of Mexican All-Stars on Wednesday in Los Angeles.

Credit: MLS

MLS All-Star Ricardo Pepi, an 18-year-old forward at FC Dallas, kicks with winning goal in the shootout against Mexican All-Stars.

On Wednesday, striker Josef Martinez and fullback Ronald Hernandez were called up by Venezuela for its qualifying games against Argentina on Sept. 2, Peru on Sept. 5 and Paraguay on Sept. 9.

“Every time they call a player to the national team from us, it’s fantastic,” Atlanta United manager Gonzalo Pineda said. “That means the player is doing well with the team. They’ve been performing at a high level. We are happy for them. The timing is tough, but I will always be supportive of players going to their national teams. It’s always an honor.”

The U.S. team (appearances/goals)

GOALKEEPERS (3): Ethan Horvath (Nottingham Forest/ENG; 7/0), Zack Steffen (Manchester City/ENG; 23/0), Matt Turner (New England Revolution; 7/0).

DEFENDERS (10): George Bello (Atlanta United; 3/0), John Brooks (Wolfsburg/GER; 43/3), Sergiño Dest (Barcelona/ESP; 11/1), Mark McKenzie (Genk/BEL; 6/0), Tim Ream (Fulham/ENG; 45/1), Antonee Robinson (Fulham/ENG; 12/0), Miles Robinson (Atlanta United; 9/3), James Sands (New York City FC; 6/0), DeAndre Yedlin (Galatasaray/TUR; 64/0), Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC; 17/2).

MIDFIELDERS (5): Kellyn Acosta (Colorado Rapids; 37/2), Tyler Adams (RB Leipzig/GER; 14/1), Sebastian Lletget (LA Galaxy; 29/7), Weston McKennie (Juventus/ITA; 24/7), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders; 25/0).

FORWARDS (8): Brenden Aaronson (RB Salzburg/AUT; 7/3), Konrad de la Fuente (Olympique Marseille/FRA; 1/0), Jordan Pefok (BSC Young Boys/SUI; 6/1), Ricardo Pepi (FC Dallas; 0/0), Christian Pulisic (Chelsea/ENG; 38/16), Gio Reyna (Borussia Dortmund/GER; 8/4), Josh Sargent (Norwich City/ENG; 16/5), Tim Weah (Lille/FRA; 13/1).

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