PHILADELPHIA -- U.S. caretaker manager Dave Sarachan says the lack of a full-time head coach is not distracting him or the players from what is immediately in front of them, in this case Monday's friendly against Bolivia.
The match will mark Sarachan's fourth in charge since taking over for Bruce Arena, who resigned last October following the U.S. team's failure to qualify for the World Cup. In addition to Monday's game, Sarachan will be in charge for friendlies against Ireland and France, at which point the search for a new manager will intensify.
"I think the one thing about our group -- whether it's myself, our staff, the players that are here -- the task at hand is today, then tomorrow and then the next day," he said at his prematch news conference. "Right now it's focusing on Bolivia and I don't think there's been any discussion or any chatter about [no permanent manager] within our group at all."
As has been his habit, Sarachan will field a youthful lineup against Bolivia, one whose average age is 22. What's different is that U.S. star Christian Pulisic will take the field for the first time since the end of World Cup qualifying. But adding to the interest level is the inclusion of players like Weston McKennie, Matt Miazga and Cameron Carter-Vickers, all of whom have formed the core of the team during Sarachan's brief time in charge. While it's been just seven months since Sarachan first got a look at these players, it's been long enough to notice how they have developed.
"I think there has been a progression with a number of these guys, and I think there's a comfort level that has begun to take shape each and every camp that we've gotten the familiar guys together," he said. "Partnerships have been forming, relationships on the field have been forming. I hope to see that continue through this match as well."
One player in particular who has impressed is McKennie. The 19-year-old made 25 appearances for Schalke this season, after making just one the year before.
"Well clearly, when you've had those opportunities that [McKennie] has had at Schalke and the way he's finished the season, and seeing a lot of minutes, he's grown as a player, he's grown as a professional," said Sarachan. "And I know at Schalke he's played a few different roles and I think with us now with coming in, I would say we don't have a lot of leaders within this group but he's come in with a lot of confidence and personality. And I think tactically he has a better feel for different positions in the central part of the field. I think the whole package has improved since the time I had him."
Plenty of eyes will be on the goalkeeping position as well. For the first time since the 1980s there is no obvious successor to take over the position. In this camp, Bill Hamid, Alex Bono, and Ethan Horvath are all vying to get playing time, not only on Monday but in the Ireland and France games as well.
"I think we have three here that are all young, and the goalkeepers can go a long time in their careers, so right now there's a lot of youth but a lot of talent as well," said Sarachan. "I think it's kind of up for grabs, but I think that's the case for all positions. I think we're in a healthy state in terms of the goalkeeping. The one thing that goalkeepers need are a lot of minutes and banked minutes under their belt at good levels, and these friendlies are [chances] to offer these guys those opportunities as well."