It was quite the opposite as Brooks’ form began to sink in the Bundesliga and on the national team the 29-year-old had begun to become a liability rather than a necessity at the back. At the club level, Brooks began to mix good performances with bad ones at VfL Wolfsburg, so much so the team did little to renew his contract rather have him leave as a free agent.

On the national team, Brooks began as a key component to Berhalter’s backline but his inability to keep up with the highline and his difficulty containing attackers with speed, Brooks saw himself dropped from the national team.

Why is John Brooks missing the Qatar 2022 World Cup?

While Brooks may have been a talking point for the better part of two years, the reality was Berhalter had seen enough of Brooks to determined he was surplus. While Brooks is a capable defender, he was not a leader on the USMNT rather a role player. A luxury Berhalter could not afford since many on his backline including his goalkeepers were “new” to international soccer.

When Walker Zimmerman, a more vocal presence at the back, took over the position, Berhalter had found his replacement for the “experienced” Brooks. Since then, a money move to Benfica in Portugal has seen Brooks play only 3 games in the last six months. While not completely written off of the USMNT player pool a massive change in form and personality will be needed to see John Brooks in a USMNT jersey again.

This season a record 12 USMNT players will be a part of the UEFA Champions League group stage. Last season Christian Pulisic became the second American to win European Soccer’s biggest club prize. Now players like Gio Reyna, Weston McKennie, and Sergiño Dest will want to continue to make history by becoming the third American to do so.

Gregg Berhalter can’t complain, he has some of his most important players playing at the highest level. This season the UEFA Champions League will be exciting to watch as fans will return to the stadiums, now with 12 USMNT players it gets even more interesting. Here is the list of all 12 USMNT players in the 2021/22 UEFA Champions League.

Brenden Aaronson

Brenden Aaronson will be commanding the midfield for Red Bull Salzburg, in his short time there Aaronson has already established himself as one of the club’s better players. The Austrian team will look to at least get to the next round, but a good group showing could help Aaronson land a transfer to a bigger league.

Tyler Adams

Already a Champions League veteran Tyler Adams is back at the big stage with RB Leipzig of Germany. Adams has the skill and the talent to play at this level, the question is can he stay healthy for a whole season.

John Brooks

The USMNT defender gets a crack at Champions League action with Wolfsburg of Germany. John Brooks is entering his fifth season with the club and is one of the best defenders of the Bundesliga.

Sergiño Dest

Sergiño Dest had a lot of growing pains last season at Barcelona, this season is an opportunity to show that he has the talent and the perseverance to maintain a starting spot at Barcelona. Barcelona will be without Messi, and while the club has seen better days, Dest can still shine if he corrects some of the issues that plagued him last season.

Weston McKennie

Weston McKennie was a bright spot for Juventus last season, now in his second season what kind of role will he have? That question will be answered by Massimiliano Allegri. McKennie can play at this level no question, hopefully Allegri will find a spot for the box-to-box midfielder.

Owen Otasowie

Owen Otasowie recently signed with Club Brugge of Belgium after playing just 6 games with Wolverhampton Wanderers. At 20, Otasowie seems to have a good future ahead of him, but if he wants to crack the USMNT, getting a starting spot at Brugge and good Champions League outings will be essential.

Jordan Siebatcheu

After a great season with Young Boys on loan last season and a big goal against Honduras in the Nations League semifinal, Jordan Siebatcheu is already off to a fast start this seasonwith 2 goals in 3 games in Switzerland.

Christian Pulisic

Last season’s Champions League winner, Christian Pulisic wants to continue to show why he is the USMNT poster boy. Pulisic already scored a goal in his first game of the Premier League season and will want to hold down a starting spot for Chelsea this season.

Gio Reyna

Gio Reyna had an up and down season at Dortmund last year but showed his capacity to win his starting spot back last season, while showing the talents that have him pegged as one of the best young prospects in the world. Reyna will look for this season to be his official coming out party.

Chris Richards

Chris Richards will be in the Bayern Munich squad this season, just how much he will play will depend on many factors, nonetheless it will be a season of invaluable experience.

Zack Steffen

Zack Steffen is Manchester City’s back up goalkeeper, hopefully Guardiola will give Zack some Champions League minutes. Steffen’s chances of playing are slim unless an injury occurs.

Tim Weah

The French champion will be able to showcase his skill in the Champions League, like his father before him. Tim Weah is often used as a bench option and his goal will be to be a consistent starter for Lille.

Germany has always been home to many great Americans from Kasey Keller, Claudio Reyna, and Landon Donovan. Now a new crop of players will continue to excite fans in the U.S. playing in the tough German league.

Fans can watch the Bundesliga on ESPN and the ESPN platforms and there are 7 USMNT players that will start the season in Germany with another arriving in 2022. Here is the list of USMNT players in the German Bundesliga for the 2021/22 season.

Giovanni Reyna

Giovanni Reyna is back for another season at Borussia Dortmund, the talented midfielder had the growing pains of a few ups and downs last season but has been given the number 7 shirt this season. Reyna is a long-term project at Dortmund and after some mid-season hiccups, he finished the season strong. Since 2020, Reyna has 4 goals in 47 games and won one German Cup.

Timothy Chandler

Hey USMNT fans, remember Timothy Chandler? The guy who only wanted to play for the USMNT when it was World Cup time. Well Chandler is still playing in Germany for Eintracht Frankfurt, having played well over 100 games. At 31 Chandler could still be of some use to the USMNT program if he can change his attitude.

Julian Green

A lot of eyes this season will be on Julian Green, the former Bayern Munich prodigy who went to Greuther Fürth to kick start his career in 2017 and is one of the best players on the team. Finally getting to the topflight of German soccer, Green will look to make a point that he can hold his own in the big leagues and finally get back on with the USMNT.

Tyler Adams

Tyler Adams is a talented player, but can he stay healthy for a full season that is the question. Red Bull Leipzig will have a familiar face on the bench coaching Adams, Jesse Marsch and another American in Caden Clark will make his way over at the start of 2022. Adams will hopefully flourish under Marsch and play a full season.

Joe Scally

Former NYCFC player Joe Scally is on the Borussia Mönchengladbach roster, the 18-year-old will get his feet wet in the big leagues and will most likely be loaned out or play a few minutes here and there.

Chris Richards

Chris Richards had a very good loan spell at 1899 Hoffenheim last year and will look to break into a very competitive Bayern Munich squad. Another loan is not out of the question, but it would be nice to see Richards getting first team minutes at Bayern.

John Brooks

The big man at the back, John Brooks is back for VFL Wolfburg playing in his fifth season. Brooks will be a leader at the back and last year was one of his best years. As steady as they come Brooks is one of the best defenders in the Bundesliga.

It’s hard not to argue that the U.S. has talent in every position, and this will make Gregg Berhalter’s job a bit easier knowing his top talents are playing meaningful minutes in these competitive leagues. Players like Duane Holmes and Julian Green may be in the second divisions, but can also be used as good role players when called upon.

Fielding a starting 11 is always hard, especially when you have options in each position. Some players will be left out, but there are 11 key players in Europe the USMNT hope continueto develop and lead the team back to the 2022 World Cup.

USMNT European Starting 11

Goalkeeper – Zack Steffen – Manchester City

While Zack Steffen is not starting at Manchester City, he has already played in a cup game and the day in and day out training for a top club make it hard to argue there is another goalkeeper ahead of him in the pool.

Right Back – Reggie Cannon – Boavista

Reggie Cannon was already one of the best right-backs in MLS when he was sold to Boavista in Portugal, since his arrival, he has started every game and will be one of the main options for the U.S. Defense.

Defender – John Brooks – Wolfsburg

Brooks has been in the Bundesliga since the start of his career, the 2014 World Cup hero is entering the prime of his career. He has been a bit inconsistent when playing for the U.S. buthis performances in league play have been very good.

Defender – Chris Richards – Bayern Munich

Chris Richards has yet to claim a place in the Bayern first team, but coach Hans-Dieter Flick has praised him and has inserted him in some games. If he can continue to develop, he will challenge for a starting spot.

Left Back – Sergiño Dest – Barcelona

Sergiño Dest has had a rollercoaster ride to the top of European soccer. In oneyear he started playing for Ajax, got his first USMNT cap, and is set for a record move to Barcelona. Dest has shown his talent and is considered one of world soccer’s best young prospects.

Midfielder – Tim Weah – Lille

The multipurpose midfielder is coming back from injury and has shown flashes of what he can do at Celtic and PSG. He will need to stay healthy, but Weah has the energy and talent to be a key figure for the USMNT.

Midfielder – Weston McKennie – Juventus

Since his move to Juventus, Weston McKennie has only added to his rising stock. He was one of FC Schalke 04 best players last season and already has received positive marks in Italy. He is one of the new leaders of the U.S. team.

Midfielder – Tyler Adams – R. B. Leipzig

Adams is one of the U.S. most consistent European based players, he has grown in each season since his move to Germany. The key is for Adams is to avoid injury, despite some amazing performances his seasons are cut short due to injury.

Midfielder – Christian Pulisic – Chelsea

The new Landon Donovan, the man who everyone will look too to lead the squad. Pulisic is yet to debut this season, butlast year he was the best player for Chelsea, that can’t be argued. He completely dominated in a game against Liverpool and scored some amazing goals. The hopes of the USMNT rest on Pulisic.

Midfielder – Gio Reyna – Borussia Dortmund

Like his father before him, Reyna looks set to be the new USMNT set up man. His quick passing and field vision will look to open up spaces for speedsters Pulisic and Weah. Reyna started his season strong as he looks to break out for Dortmund.

Forward – Josh Sargent – Werder Bremen

The USMNT weakest position by far is forward. Sargent is young, but he plays on a dreadful Bremen side. With little options besides Sargent, the U.S. will hope that he finally starts scoring for his club. At the national team level, Sargent does have 5 goals in 12 games.