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<ul><li>Meola identifies midfield uncertainty as key concern for national team</li><li>Former USMNT goalkeeper praises Cardoso's development in La Liga</li><li>Meola also believes Wright could make the cut for USMNT</li></ul><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script>

'Going to push his way into that lineup' - Tony Meola believes Johnny Cardoso could become a USMNT midfield starter

LaLiga

Real Betis

Real Valladolid

Championship

Luton

Coventry

In light of Johnny Cardoso’s recent form for Real Betis, some have suggested the American midfielder should make the cut for the USMNT. While he was picked for the CONCACAF Nations League camp, Cardoso stepped out because of an injury and was eventually replaced.However, his form since, combined with the fact that USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino has yet to find his midfield pairing, has Tony Meola believing that Cardoso can break into the starting 11. The USMNT legend admitted that while the Betis star won’t start right now, if he keeps performing at the high levels, Pochettino will have no choice.“A starting spot? Not quite sure, right,” Meola said on CBS Sports Golazo America. “If you look at that midfield and if Pochettino wants to play with two players, Tyler Adams, no doubt about it, is the one guy that we lock in. Then, is it Weston McKennie or is it Johnny Cardoso?“He certainly is going to push his way into that lineup, it’s just been a matter of injuries. There’s times where he’s come on and all of a sudden he’s got a slight injury, he’s going to be out for a little bit, but no doubt this guy has flourished at Betis.”

WHAT HAPPENED

The former USMNT goalkeeper also endorsed Haji Wright, saying he could break into the team if he keeps up his form.“Yeah, he should certainly get a look,” Meola said. “Keep in mind, you mentioned the Nations League, and he was a part of that. He came back from his injury a little bit earlier than everybody thought he would, so he wasn’t included in the 60-man roster. Just before the Nations League, he comes back and immediately scores a hattrick and we’re all thinking, Haji Wright, bring him into camp.“He gives a different profile, bigger and stronger, and he’s played for Coventry on the right wing, a majority of his time on the left, and recently as a center forward, which is where he came in as the profile player with Gregg Berhalter with the national team. In the youth national team system, he played predominantly as a right-winger. So this guy plays along the front line, and that versatility may give you an opportunity when you’re putting a roster together."But there’s a battle at the No. 9 position and there’s no question about it - and the only thing Haji Wright can do, is continue to score goals. That’s the only thing that he can control, but I would expect to see him in a USMNT jersey in the next camp.”<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="362" src="https://youtube.com/embed/ydz8ax1h6Qg" title="YouTube video player" width="644"></iframe>

WHAT TONY MEOLA SAID

The talk surrounding both Wright and Cardoso comes at a crucial time for the USMNT, especially as Mauricio Pochettino is still tinkering with his squad. The Argentine has yet to find his perfect starting XI that consistently does the job for him, which does give both American stars a chance to make their mark.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

For Cardoso and Real Betis, the fight for European football is still on. After a 3-1 win over Girona on Monday night, they sit in sixth place on the La Liga table. They face Valladolid at home next on April 24 before the first leg of their Europa Conference League semi-final against Fiorentina on May 1.Wright and Coventry City, on the other hand, sit in sixth place on the Championship table which is the final playoff spot but their place in the top six is far from secure. Only three points separate them, seventh-place Middlesbrough and eighth-place Millwall, with two games left in the league season. The Sky Blues face Luton Town next in the league on April 25 and then host Middlesbrough in the final league game of the regular season.

WHAT’S NEXT?

'He certainly is going to push his way into that lineup' - Tony Meola believes Johnny Cardoso could become a USMNT midfield starter | Goal.com

The MLS icon shared his thoughts on the current state of the national team&apos;s midfield and Cardoso’s future as well as Haji Wright’s potential

&apos;Going to push his way into that lineup&apos; - Tony Meola believes Johnny Cardoso could become a USMNT midfield starter

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