Gregg Berhalter on USMNT future for FC Cincinnati's Brandon Vazquez: 'He's close'

It turns out the discussion around FC Cincinnati forward Brandon Vazquez's possible inclusion in the U.S. men's national team's June camp was plenty warranted.

Ultimately, Vazquez didn't make the cut for the four-match June international window, but USMNT manager Gregg Berhalter said during a Friday news conference of Vazquez: "He's close."

"We watched all his last games and I think he did a good job. He's been scoring some goals and I know the international level is a higher - t's a higher standard," Berhalter said in response to a question from The Enquirer. "He's close. If he continues to score goals at (this) rate and his team continues to win, I'm sure there will be an opportunity for him in the future.

"I don't know what that means in terms of timing but he's a guy that we've been impressed with his play."

Berhalter also referenced a goal Vazquez scored against Minnesota United FC, calling his movement on the play "really, really high level."

Even without Vazquez's inclusion in the roster for the upcoming camp, local soccer fans will have plenty to look forward to as the USMNT prepares to open its camp in Greater Cincinnati ahead of its June 1 match against 24th-ranked Morocco at TQL Stadium.

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Berhalter on Friday revealed the roster of players called in to participate in the camp, which includes the game in Cincinnati against World Cup-bound Morocco as well as matches against Uruguay (June 5), Grenada (June 10) and at El Salvador (June 14).

All four matches constitute vital preparation for the upcoming FIFA World Cup in Qatar, which is set to begin in November. The first two matches are considered friendlies against World Cup-level competition while the Grenada and El Salvador games are competitive fixtures that are part of the USMNT's title defense in the Concacaf Nations League.

Berhalter said the purpose of the upcoming camp and matches would be to assess key members of the USMNT as well as some looking to make a case for inclusion in the World Cup roster.

Berhalter also indicated he would use the games to tinker with lineups and tactics.

"In terms of the guys that are in camp, we think it's a very strong group," Berhalter said. "A lot of core players are back in and there will be some players looking to make their claim for roster spots."

More on Vazquez

FC Cincinnati's Vazquez missed out on the call-up after mounting a serious case for inclusion in the national team.

That case dates back to the latter stages of 2021, and has seen Vazquez score nine goals over his last 16 matches ahead of FCC's Saturday contest against New England Revolution.

Against Chicago Fire last weekend, Vazquez played before a crowd that included Berhalter. The player said afterward he was satisfied with his effort if that was to be Berhalter's final evaluation of him.

"Yeah, for sure. It wasn't an easy game and it wasn't a pretty game at all," Vazquez told The Enquirer afterward. "I had a couple opportunities that I couldn't put in the back of the net and that's unfortunate but I'm happy about getting three points for the team and being part of the goals," Vazquez said. "Sometimes people just focus on if I score. That's all they see. But for people behind the scenes, I'm glad I was able to contribute to the goals."

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Gregg Berhalter on USMNT future for FC Cincinnati's Brandon Vazquez: 'He's close'