The United States is days away from announcing the 26 players that will represent the country at the World Cup in Qatar, and Auston Trusty hopes his performances on the field for Birmingham City this season in England can make him one of the surprise picks for Gregg Berhalter.
The 24-year-old made the move across the Atlantic over the summer to join up with Arsenal, but the English Premier League side would send him down a division on loan to the Midlands team to gain some experience in the English game. The move seems to have worked well so far as he’s played in 18 games and scored three goals so far to see the team sit in 13th place in the Championship standings.
“I’m living my dream here and I think a lot of kids in the U.S., all of us dream about coming to Europe, especially coming to England and playing in one of the best football countries in the world, if not the best,” Trusty said in an interview with MLSSoccer.com.
The Pennsylvania native’s performances this season should put him among the candidates for a spot on the national team as head coach Gregg a Berhalter is less than a week away from announcing his 26-man roster. However, he appears to be on the outside looking in as the coach seems to have his favorites for the center-back spots.
However, that has not stopped Trusty from making the case for a spot at the last minute.
“I’ve been in a couple of camps before and been part of the team, part of the gameday squad for three games,” said Trusty, who mentioned that he had not been in contact with Berhalter since making the move to England. “But my mindset is to be in this World Cup, so that’s the only mindset I have. I’m not looking further than that, just at this World Cup.”
“I think I’m doing my job, I think I’m doing my part,” Trusty said. “So it’s just keep on doing my thing and playing my game.”
As for his hopes of earning his way into the first team at Arsenal, the former Colorado Rapids man expressed the same determination as he hopes to link up with fellow American Matt Turner.
“I’m in contact with them all the time and my mindset is to get to Arsenal and play for Arsenal,” he said. “It’s probably the best club in the world right now and I’m excited for it.
“It’s the perfect spot right now and I’m doing my thing, at an incredible organization in Birmingham. But, obviously, the goal is to play in the Premier League, play at a top team. That’s where it’s at.”
In the meantime, Trusty will look to keep up his good performances for Birmingham City as they face Stoke City this weekend.
