Summer soccer mailbag: USMNT, Nashville SC, MLS transfer window and the 2022 World Cup

At the dawn of July, the countdown to the most important domestic and international soccer games is less than five months away. There are questions about which players will be where, doing what.

U.S. men's national team coach Gregg Berhalter has two friendlies left in September to decide which 26 players he'll select for the FIFA World Cup in Qatar. A  few of those players are chasing an MLS Cup with their club teams – some of which are planning to make moves during the secondary transfer window, July 7- August 4, including Nashville SC.

MLS reporter Drake Hills answers questions from fans regarding all of the above. Questions have been lightly edited for clarity.

What is a realistic goal for the USMNT? — @hardinscience

I'm going to use the open-ended nature of this question to make two points: there are USMNT roster goals and then there are World Cup performance goals.

Realistically, a slew of strikers, fullbacks and central midfielders need to have a definitive second half of 2022 to secure one of the 26 World Cup roster spots. Guys like Jesús Ferreira (FC Dallas) and Brandon Vasquez (FC Cincinnati) in MLS. Ricardo Pepi ran out of gas during World Cup Qualifying. The 19-year-old has to find form in the German Bundesliga with FC Augsburg.

As for the USMNT's group stage with Wales, England and Iran, I genuinely believe the expectation is Round of 16. A healthy Gio Reyna, plus Christian Pulisic, Brenden Aaronson and Tim Weah provide a versatile platoon to match each opposition.

Seeing that Loba is starting to get more playing time, do you see Nashville keeping him into next year? Why or why not? — @hardinscience

Loba isn't going anywhere.

Admittedly, media expectations for Loba have been high, given his balance of tier-one speed and dribbling capabilities – a combination you can't find at that level on the team.

But when Loba signed with Nashville last July, Hany Mukhtar and CJ Sapong found all-star form, posting an eventual goals + assists total of 49 in all competitions. Forty-nine. No one is breaking that up.

That form will simmer down eventually. Sapong has started all but one MLS match thus far, playing 70 minutes or more in 14 of 16 starts. Loba will get his chance.

What is going on with Aníbal Godoy? He's key to stability in the team, but is out so often or just not with the team. Is it an injury problem? — @soraredts

It's not often, but it is a worry. Take away the June 11 match against the San Jose Earthquakes, following his international duty with Panama, Godoy missed three matches in May (thigh). These last two matches are what make it a worry.

Nashville said Godoy suffered a knock last Friday during training. It's seems to be more than that.

What position do we need to look into bolstering as we go into the secondary transfer period? We have no designated player spots, but could add firepower. — @hardinscience

The popular answer is right back. And yes, Nashville "could" add firepower, particularly in a winger or second striker type of player. But that isn't the need.

Nashville would benefit from adding a wingback or an attacking midfielder – an MLS veteran with the ability to play multiple positions when Randall Leal or Mukhtar is out.

Does Mike Jacobs regret trading away Alistair Johnston? — @RyneFletcher

For $1 million in general allocation money, Jacobs doesn't regret a thing. As Nashville's general manager, Jacobs has made it clear a war chest of GAM proves to be more valuable than a solid right back in a contract year or unused international roster spots.

Besides right back or right wing back, where else are we looking to strengthen? — @TalkingNSC 

Attacking midfielder, winger or second striker.

If you were the boss, who would you buy in the summer transfer window? — @gowestAU

Saved the best for last.

Give me Latif Blessing from Los Angeles FC and FC Dallas' Jáder Obrian. Both fit the build described above, regarding firepower. Blessing, however, would be more realistic. The 25-year-old midfielder is out of contract this offseason. I'd trade for him now as my team makes a playoff run.

For stories about Nashville SC or Soccer in Tennessee, contact Drake Hills at DHills@gannett.com. Follow Drake on Twitter at @LiveLifeDrake. Connect with Drake on Instagram at @drakehillssoccer and on Facebook.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville SC and USMNT mailbag before MLS transfer window, World Cup