The U.S. men’s national team resumes its quest of repeating as CONCACAF Nations League winners this week with Jamaica standing in the way of Gregg Berhalter’s squad.
AT&T Stadium will play host to the tournament’s final four, as the USMNT and Jamaica square yet again in competitive action. The winner of Thursday’s semifinal will meet either Mexico or Panama on March 24 in the tournament final.
Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, and Antonee Robinson are among the USMNT players coming into camp on strong runs of form and will be expected to lead the squad this week. Tyler Adams and Haji Wright are back in their first USMNT squads since the 2022 FIFA World Cup and eager to impress.
Sergino Dest’s suspension for the semifinal will force changes at right back.
Here is the starting lineup we could see the USMNT deploy against Jamaica on Thursday, as well as the lineup we would deploy if we were making the final lineup decisions:
GOALKEEPER
Who will start: Matt Turner
Who should start: Matt Turner
Matt Turner might have lost his starting job at Nottingham Forest, but don’t expect him to drop to the USMNT bench.
Turner is the No. 1 option for Gregg Berhalter’s squad and should be back in between the posts this month. Ethan Horvath’s rising playing time at Cardiff City could up the fight between him and Turner, but I can’t see Turner being dropped.
DEFENDERS
Who will start: Joe Scally, Chris Richards, Tim Ream, Antonee Robinson
Who should start: Joe Scally, Chris Richards, Tim Ream, Antonee Robinson
Berhalter can go several different ways with his backline on Thursday, but I’d expect him to go this way against the Reggae Boyz.
Sergino Dest’s suspension will force Joe Scally into the right back position. Scally has continued to play regularly in Germany and remains the only natural right back in the current squad.
Tim Ream’s veteran presence remains key in the USMNT backline and although he isn’t playing regularly for Fulham, he should start against Jamaica. Ream’s defensive presence could see him as a stay-at-home defender while Chris Richards moves higher upfield.
Richards has enjoyed a stellar run in the Crystal Palace squad and has a leg up on Miles Robinson and Mark McKenzie in terms of form. Both Robinson and McKenzie are starting at club level, but Richards has enjoyed some positive performances in his most recent USMNT caps.
Antonee Robinson is enjoying a career-best season for Fulham and remains the USMNT’s long-term option at left back. Robinson’s strong defensive abilities paired with his growing distribution skills in attack could make him a dangerous weapon vs. Jamaica.
MIDFIELDERS
Who will start: Weston McKennie, Yunus Musah, Tyler Adams
Who should start: Weston McKennie, Yunus Musah, Malik Tillman
Tyler Adams is in the USMNT squad, but there are fitter options for Berhalter to call on.
Adams admitted Monday that he could be available for 45-60 minutes, which does make him an option off the bench. However, his long-term presence is crucial in the squad, so risking him in the starting lineup doesn’t make sense.
Weston McKennie and Yunus Musah remain vital to how the USMNT want to attack and defend and partnering together in midfield is the logical thing. McKennie is back from his injury spell while Musah is coming off added minutes in Europa League play.
Musah could be forced to play more defensively, allowing McKennie to get upfield in attack.
Gio Reyna’s lack of playing time at Nottingham Forest could cost him a starting role in Thursday’s match, but he does have positive history in Nations League play. Malik Tillman has been playing regularly and deserves an opportunity in the USMNT midfield alongside McKennie and Musah.
Confidence is certainly on Tillman’s side more than it is on Reyna’s.
Brenden Aaronson and Johnny Cardoso will also fight for minutes, but expect them to serve as bench options.
FORWARDS
Who will start: Tim Weah, Folarin Balogun, Christian Pulisic
Who should start: Haji Wright, Folarin Balogun, Christian Pulisic
Christian Pulisic remains focal in the USMNT attack and has form on his side coming into camp.
Pulisic now has 20 goal contributions in his debut Serie A season and has been able to score and assist in numerous ways. Expect him to be lively from the opening whistle from his left wing position.
Folarin Balogun has struggled lately with Monaco, but he remains the USMNT’s most talented striker. Balogun’s versatility and physicality could force issues for the Jamaican back line, especially if he is paired with the right wingers.
Tim Weah’s role with the USMNT is higher than it is right now with Juventus. Weah has mainly served as a bench option this winter with Juventus, but has chemistry with Balogun from their past appearances together.
In-form Haji Wright was called into camp as an injury replacement and could also see time as a No. 9 or out wide. Wright has enjoyed a positive first season with Coventry City and is coming off another stellar performance last weekend.
Ricardo Pepi will fight for Balogun and Wright for minutes and has remained an impact substitute for club and country.
Reyna and Tillman are also wide options, but I’d expect to see them more so in midfield.
What do you think of our projected lineups? Which would you start? Who are you most excited to see play? Are there any doubts you have?
Share your thoughts below.
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