Soccer-Exciting time to be part of U.S. men's team, says Lennon

Next up for the USMNT is a Jan. 27 showdown with El Salvador followed by a Jan. 30 match against Canada and a Feb. 2 battle against Honduras, and Berhalter said the team would be ready. "We're looking forward to this January window," he said.

It is a thrilling time to be part of the youthful U.S. men's national team (USMNT), defender Brooks Lennon said on Monday from an Arizona training camp where the team is gearing up for another round of World Cup qualifying matches. The Atlanta United fullback is hoping to be chosen by manager Gregg Berhalter for the three upcoming matches and said he relishes his chance to showcase his aggressive style of play.

"We have a very young squad right now, and it's an exciting group," Lennon told reporters on a video call. "It's an exciting time for fans to watch U.S. soccer and get involved because it's the time for us to show the world what we are."

The U.S. have 15 points, good for second behind Canada (16 points) and one ahead of rival Mexico in the CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers standings. The top three in the eight-team group qualify automatically for Qatar 2022 with the fourth-placed finisher going into an intercontinental playoff for another spot.

The team is eager to qualify for this year's tournament and put behind it the humiliating loss they suffered at the hands of Trinidad and Tobago in 2017, which kept them from reaching the World Cup in Russia and led to a rebuild of the organization. Next up for the USMNT is a Jan. 27 showdown with El Salvador followed by a Jan. 30 match against Canada and a Feb. 2 battle against Honduras, and Berhalter said the team would be ready.

"We're looking forward to this January window," he said. "We're looking forward to this first game against El Salvador. We'll be prepared and ready to go."

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