Miles Robinson, Diego Luna, Duncan McGuire & the USMNT stars to watch for as January camp concludes with Slovenia friendly

We're going to group these three together because they will all feel they have something to play for heading into this camp.

As things stand, Matt Turner is the USMNT No.1 and that probably isn't changing any time soon despite recent struggles at Nottingham Forest. But behind him? There's plenty of debate about who can take over those spots. Gaga Slonina is young, Ethan Horvath isn't playing, Zack Steffen just made a big move and Sean Johnson is already 34, and that leads us to the three goalkeepers in this camp.

Both Drake Callender and Roman Celentano will feel like they have a legitimate shot at a Copa America spot, and strong performances in this camp would do plenty to help. It remains to be seen who Berhalter goes with in goal and for how long, but it's safe to say the two of them do have a real chance of being with the full team at some point this year.

As for Patrick Schulte, the Columbus Crew rising star, he'll need a bit of seasoning, but could very well play a part for the Olympic team this year. His rise has been rapid, though, so don't write him off as he joins the USMNT for the first time.

"In terms of tomorrow, the goalkeeper will be an uncapped player and we're looking forward to seeing what they can do," Berhalter said on Friday. "It's been, I think, a good camp for the goalkeepers in general, and again, like all the players, now it's what you do on the field in front of a crowd against an opponent."

He's the leader of this group by virtue of him being the most experienced player. And, right now, Miles Robinson is also under the microscope.

His decision to sign with FC Cincinnati, rightly or wrongly, left a lot of fans frustrated. Many who follow the USMNT believe that Robinson has what it takes to play at a high level in Europe. Instead, he opted to stay home, joining a very, very good FC Cincy team while also securing a pretty good payday, too.

Because of that decision, the margin for error is a bit smaller in Robinson's case. He'll need to be a best XI-calibre defender in MLS to really contend for a starting spot at the Copa America this summer. He can do it, sure, but anything less than spectacular won't be good enough.

This camp is a good chance to quieten down some naysayers, even if it won't do much to silence all of them. A strong performance in this friendly would be a nice reminder of how good Robinson is as he pushes towards the Copa America.

From the most experienced player to the youngest in the group. What a moment this could be for young Esmir Bajraktarevic.

The 18-year-old New England Revolution starlet Is still very, very young, with just 16 total MLS appearances and six total starts to his name. However, Berhalter and co. clearly see him as a player who could help the team in the future, leading to his call-up this month.

“The coaching staff has been really impressed with him,” said Berhalter. “Really impressed with his skill set. He's 18 years old, but he's got a strong mentality, very competitive, very aggressive on the ball, willing to do the work defensively, and has coped really well with the environment. You would think that a young player, 18 years old, comes in and is shy and is afraid to impose himself on the field, but this is the exact opposite of Esmir, and we think he's got a great future ahead of him.”

That future probably won't be with the full USMNT for quite a while. Instead, the young attacker will be shooting to be one of the younger members of the Olympic squad this summer. It'll be interesting to see how he handles a potential first cap and how he uses that to build into this MLS season.

If you follow MLS, you'll know plenty about Moon Boy. All sauce and all fun, the Real Salt Lake star is a throwback player who's simply willing to try things.

Luna is one of MLS' rising stars, a player that neutrals love to watch because of the fun he brings to the game. His ascendance hasn't been straightforward, as he's had to learn some lessons, but he really started to break out at the tail end of last season. His two playoff goals felt like a proper arrival for a player who will hope for bigger and better in 2024.

The year should begin with a USMNT debut for a player who was key for the U-20s throughout the last cycle. An Olympic spot almost certainly awaits for the 20-year-old and it'll be interesting to see how his style fits in with the senior group if and when his moment comes with the full-strength side.

If you're looking for the real story of this camp, you don't have to look past Kamungo. The fact that he's even here is a miracle.

Born in Tanzania, Kamungo spent his early years in a refugee camp before eventually making the move to the United States. His family settled in Abilene, Texas and, following his graduation from high school, Kamungo and his brother began searching for local tryouts. Kamungo scraped together the $90 required for a trial with North Texas SC, the reserve team of FC Dallas, in January 2021 and his story has simply gotten better and better in the three years since.

Having dominated the USL and MLS Next Pro levels, Kamungo truly broke out with FC Dallas this past season. He scores six goals in the regular season and two in the Leagues Cup, with one of those goals famously coming against Lionel Messi's Inter Miami.

From a refugee camp to scoring against the GOAT to now representing the U.S. on the international level, there's no better feel-good story than that.

It's a similar situation to the goalkeepers. Right now, there's a locked-in starter, Antonee Robinson, but, after that, cover at left-back is an open competition.

Kristoffer Lund is in the mix, as is Joe Scally, but there are a few guys in this camp that'll feel they have a shot. DeJuan Jones is the most likely to be with the main team this year, having impressed in his chances in 2023. A good showing here would help him push for that backup spot with Nations League and Copa America coming.

Don't count out John Tolkin, though. The New York Red Bulls star has the attitude and ability to step into any game, having proven that with his season-saving penalty on Decision Day last season. He's Olympic-eligible and likely to be with that team, but there's a realistic chance he could be in Copa America contention if he starts the season right.

The same can be said of Caleb Wiley, the Atlanta United starlet capable of playing all over the left-hand side. He's listed as a defender by U.S. Soccer, but he can go forward with ease. This summer is probably a bit too soon for Wiley, but he's one to keep an eye on before the Olympic season.

Whatever they have in the water down in Orlando, it sure does produce some ridiculously good strikers.

Cyle Larin lasted just three seasons before going to Europe. Daryl Dike just two. And now, after just one MLS season, McGuire is already earning his own looks from Europe after scoring 13 goals in 29 MLS appearances during his rookie year.

Before a potential transfer, though, McGuire is focused on a USMNT debut. The striker picture is crowded, with Folarin Balogun and Ricardo Pepi serving as the two clear front-runners, but the fun thing about being a striker is one good run of form can get you just about anywhere, and McGuire has shown he has the ability to make that sort of run happen.

At 22, he could very well start for the Olympic team depending on how this summer shakes out, and this first game gives him a good chance to make a big first impression.

He's 22 years old and already has two MLS Cups to his name. It's fair to say that Morris' career is off to an ideal start.

The young midfielder wasn't a passenger on those Columbus Crew title teams, either. He was a key player, starting both MLS Cup finals, and alongside Darlington Nagbe, Morris absolutely bossed the midfield in December's 2-1 triumph over LAFC.

He's had four appearances in a USMNT shirt and hasn't quite seized his chance in any of them just yet. He'll almost certainly be a key player for the Olympic team, though, as that U-23 group prepares for a huge year. For now, though, this camp is a chance for him to be the guy in midfield and really show what he can do in a U.S. shirt.

One of the big winners from last year's U-20 World Cup, McGlynn now has the opportunity to take it up a notch.

The Philadelphia Union youngster is a legitimate midfield maestro, a player who can dominate games from the center of the field. He very well could be at the hart of the U.S. midfield at the Olympics this summer, particularly if he can get off to a strong start to the MLS season this year.

Also eligible for Ireland, McGlynn should get his first senior cap in this match, and it'll be fun to see how his ability to run a midfield translates to this new level of play.