The Sportsletter - The World Cup Squad ⚽️

BY JEFF YODER

NOV. 10, 2022  |  SUBSCRIBE  |  REFER  |  WEB VIEW

Good Morning,

Today's edition goes three-up, three-down. The USMNT World Cup roster was made official, and we're taking a moment to give out the NFL midseason awards. A busy football weekend is drawing near, so stay tuned.

Letter Rip!

NFL PICK 'EM

Week 10 Picks

Let’s reset the points! We’ll keep track of our season-long leaderboard as the year rolls on, but you can join the fun at any time for a shot at weekly prizes. Week 10 picks can be made until Sunday.

Thursday Night Football Games Not Included to Allow Players to Make Picks Until Sunday Morning

SOCCER

The World Cup Roster

Photo: Kyle Rivas / Getty Images

Gregg Berhalter Announces 26-Man Roster for 2022 World Cup in Qatar

The United States Men’s Soccer Team revealed the 26-player roster for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar on Wednesday. The big reveal came in front of a fan environment in New York City. Manager Gregg Berhalter’s picks for the squad featured a few surprise omissions, including forward Ricardo Pepi and goaltender Zack Steffen. It’s the second-youngest World Cup roster with an average of 25.5 years, and they’re the youngest squad in the World Cup. Here’s a look at the full squad, headlined by the team’s superstar forward, Christian Pulisic.

Forwards: Jesus Ferreira, Jordan Morris, Christian Pulisic, Gio Reyna, Josh Sargent, Tim Weah, Haji Wright

Midfielders: Brenden Aaronson, Kellyn Acosta, Tyler Adams, Luca de la Torre, Weston McKennie, Yunus Musah, Cristian Roldan

Defenders: Cameron Carter-Vickers, Sergino Dest, Aaron Long, Shaq Moore, Tim Ream, Antonee Robinson, Joe Scally, DeAndre Yedlin, Walker Zimmerman

Goalkeepers: Ethan Horvat, Sean Johnson, Matt Turner

World Cup Begins: Sunday, Nov. 20

1st Match for USA: USMNT vs. Wales (Nov. 21)

Group B: USA, Wales, England, Iran

Additional Storylines

SI: Berhalter Springs Late Surprises for Final USMNT World Cup Squad

Sporting News: USMNT Final Squad & Possible Starting XI for Qatar

NFL

NFL Midseason Awards

Photo: Michael Owens / Getty Images

The Sportsletter Team’s Picks for MVP, DPOY, ROY & Coach of the Year

We’re about to kick off Week 10 tonight with another brutal Thursday Night Football showcase between the Falcons and Panthers. The NFC South is in shambles. Before Week 10 begins and we unbox the second half of the season, it’s time for our midseason awards. The MVP appears to be a three-horse race, as well as the Coach of the Year award, but almost every NFL poll has the same five players tabbed for OPOY, DPOY, rookie awards and Comeback POY. We didn’t deviate either — because they’re pretty straightforward. The second half of the season starts tonight.

MVP

1. QB Josh Allen (BUF): 2,795 total yards, 23 TDs, 8 INTs

2. QB Jalen Hurts (PHI): 2,364 total yards, 18 TDs, 2 INTs

3. QB Patrick Mahomes (KC): 2,781 total yards, 22 TDs, 6 INTs

Offensive Player of the Year

WR Tyreek Hill (MIA): 76 receptions, 1,104 yards, 3 TDs

Defensive Player of the Year

LB Micah Parsons (DAL): 36 tackles, 8 sacks, 2 forced fumbles

Offensive Rookie of the Year

RB Kenneth Walker III (SEA): 618 total yards, 7 TDs

Defensive Rookie of the Year

CB Sauce Gardner (NYJ): 44 tackles, 2 INTs, 13 PDs

Comeback Player of the Year

QB Geno Smith (SEA): 2,395 total yards, 16 TDs, 4 INTs

Coach of the Year

Nick Sirianni (PHI), Brian Daboll (NYG), Pete Carroll (SEA)

Additional Storylines

The Ringer: The 2022 NFL Midseason Superlatives

Yahoo! Sports: Midseason NFL Awards: Patrick Mahomes is MVP

FOX Sports: Micah Parsons, Sauce Gardner Highlight Midseason NFL Awards

NBA

Nets Win Vaughn's Official Debut

Photo: Jacob Kupferman / Getty Images

After Backlash on Hiring of Ime Udoka, Nets Turn to Jacque Vaughn, Then Blow Out Knicks

The mess in Brooklyn took another turn during the clean-up phase on Wednesday when the team backed down on the hiring of Ime Udoka and instead handed the reigns to interim coach Jacque Vaughn. The team named Vaughn the official head coach just hours before the Nets destroyed the Knicks in a New York battle (112-85). Vaughn is now 3-2 since taking over for Steve Nash. Nets brass and players reportedly trusted Vaughn to lead their star-studded group of players, and he’s off to a hot start. Kevin Durant (29-12-12) had a takeover triple-double to lead Brooklyn with Kyrie Irving still serving a suspension. The Nets have now won three of their last four.

Watch: Nets Blow Out Knicks in Vaughn’s 1st Official Win (112-85)

Other NBA Highlights

Clippers Win LA Battle: The Clippers topped the Lakers in the second Los Angeles clash of the season (114-101) thanks to Paul George’s 29 points. It was the Clippers’ fifth win in the last six games (7-5) while the Lakers fell to 2-9.

Bucks Survive 2OT Thriller: No Giannis, no problem. The Bucks improved to 10-1 after surviving the Thunder in a double-overtime epic (136-132, 2OT). Jevon Carter stepped up for Milwaukee with 36 points and 12 assists.

Jazz Get 10th Win: The surprise start from Utah (10-3) continued last night as the Jazz beat the Hawks (125-119) to claim their fourth straight win. Lauri Markkanen led the way with 32 points.

THE STORYLINES

🏈 Early 2023 NFL Coaching Carousel

Even though we're only halfway through the 2022 NFL season, the 2023 coaching carousel is already starting to turn. Matt Rhule (Panthers) and Frank Reich (Colts) have been fired. Who’s next? And who could get axed in the offseason? (Bleacher Report)

⚾️ MLB Offseason Trade Candidates

It’s a top-heavy free-agent class, but teams could venture into the trade market. Here are MLB's top 20 trade candidates heading into the 2022-23 offseason, ranked in order of how likely they are to be moved and how attractive they are to potential trade suitors. (CBS Sports)

🏀 NBA Power Rankings Week 4

The Utah Jazz have the best record in the Western Conference. The Cavaliers keep ascending up the East. And Luka Doncic is looking like an early frontrunner for MVP. Here’s a look at the early NBA team tiers. (ESPN)

📰 THE HEADLINES

• Brett Favre-Backed Drug Companies Tied Into Welfare Fraud Scheme (SI)
• Raiders Release Former 1st-Round Pick Safety Johnathan Abram (Yahoo! Sports)
• Tiger Woods Returns to Competitive Golf at Hero World Challenge (ESPN)
• Astros Manager Dusty Baker to Return for 2023 Season (SI)

• California Votes No On Allowing Sports Betting (ABC News)

• Rams QB Matthew Stafford Enters Concussion Protocol Ahead of Week 10 (B/R)

• Rangers Acquire Right-Hander Jake Odorizzi From Braves for Kolby Allard (CBS Sports)

Support The Sportsletter Team

Writer & Editor: Jeff Yoder

Product Manager: Matthew Cahill

Lead Designer: Joe Stella

Technical Lead: Kevin Lonergan

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