The USMNT is set to take on Canada and New Zealand in a pair of friendlies and there are key parts of the roster that have questions. While these are friendlies, the World Cup is approaching and after a failure at Copa America places on the roster may be in flux between injuries and the needs of the squad. After all, if the team can miss getting out of a group with the roster it fielded this summer, it can probably miss getting out of a group without those players also.
Central midfield depth – Tyler Adams has had an injury strewn career up to now. It’s a real shame because he has the makings of a player that can hold the middle of the pitch down and neutralize an opponent’s buildup in midfield. The USMNT might have the depth to make up for this though as Johnny Cardoso and Aiden Morris are options to fill in for Adams at the no. 6 spot. Facing Canada and New Zealand should give these two a chance to show how up to the task they are.
Right back depth – Or even a player that can push Sergino Dest out of the starting XI. Dest is injured with an ACL tear and faces a lengthy recovery. Defensively his deficiencies are plain to see as he often pushes forward into the attack and cannot regroup effectively to chase down opponents on the counter. His one v. one skills are also not a strong suit of his game. This is potentially a problem especially for a team that at times struggles to score goals and has one main goal threat. Defending leads may become more of a priority for a new manager and a right back who is more defensive minded has a chance to show his value in that regard.
Gio Reyna – There’s a broader question for attackers below but Gio gets his own special little line on this list. How many coaches have seen your skill and talent and still decided there’s not a spot for you in a starting XI or even an 18? Injuries have played a role but at a certain point there looks like the disconnect is between you and what managers want from you. There have been a lot of managers and different roles and the common factor in all of them is you. How can you show you belong so that you don’t become another top 50 youth talent who never stepped up?
Antonee Robinson – You had tremendous growth last year, what’s your peak look like? Do fans realize you are the second best player on the USMNT? For now backup left back can start to be settled with Robinson left home for these matches.
Another goal threat – To win a soccer game, the USMNT must score more goals than their opponent. The best way to do that is have the player whose position is closest to the net be good at scoring. When was the last time there were two true scoring threats for the USMNT? It was when Jozy Altidore was starting at striker. That’s ages ago. Someone needs to step up because starting no. 9 is up for grabs on this team.
A Goalkeeper – We’re still looking at goalkeeper and thinking it’s a bit of an unsettled position for the USMNT. Matt Turner has been the no. 1 for a while but would it take that much to unseat him? It’s been a decade since Tim Howard’s game against Belgium and he was the last no. 1 that seemed to have a spot nailed down on the team. That performance might not have been predictable, but it didn’t seem that surprising that he had that kind of game in his toolkit. Is there another keeper in the pool that can step up in the 2024-2025 season and show he has that kind of potential?
