The United States Men’s National Teams (USMNT) takes on England and Italy in the wake of taking on two strong South American sides in Colombia and Peru. Here is the lineup that this site believes should start.
USMNT Goalkeeper
With Zack Steffen having to withdrawal from this U.S. camp with an injury, Brad Guzan is the first-choice goalkeeper, but it’s possible Jonathan Klinsmann gets to start. It’s in the best interest of the U.S. to give Guzan plenty of minutes as he is an experienced and talented goalkeeper that isn’t very old. The U.S. will need him down the road, and they should keep him sharp.
USMNT Defense
There are some lineup dilemmas in the defense, but Reggie Cannon has really proven that he’s the best right back in the player pool. He’s even better than DeAndre Yedlin, Eric Lichaj, and Shaq Moore. Cannon looked very smooth and very good and very comfortable in his first cap with the U.S. Some players are just good, and Cannon definitely showed that’s he’s an impressive player who quickly locked down his starting spot. As fast as Yedlin is, he simply doesn’t have Cannon’s ability. Cannon’s fast too. Really fast.
Matt Miazga has looked like the best American center back for several months now, and John Brooks is likely his best center back partner. There’s still a battle going on in between Cameron Carter-Vickers, Brooks, Nate Parker, Aaron Long, and Erik Palmer-Brown, and we honestly don’t know who’s better.
At left back, Jorge Villafaña has always played well for the U.S. He’s great going forward and he defends well. He also uses both feet well, so when he cuts inside, he can actually pass, dribble, and shoot well with his weaker right foot. Nevertheless, Antonee Robinson has shown similar qualities. He did get burned by some elite Colombian attackers, but does that really make him not good and not deserving of the starting spot?
USMNT Midfield
Without Michael Bradley on this roster, the real battle is a three-way one between Weston McKennie, Tyler Adams, and Kellyn Acosta for two of the three midfield spots. The third midfield spot needs to be given to Sebastian Lletget due to his overall quality and playmaking ability. In addition to covering plenty of ground defensively and facilitating possession, Lletget is a special attacking talent who creates goals and scores goals. After Christian Pulisic, Lletget is the best U.S. player. The team needs that transition between the midfield and attack, and both McKennie and Adams lack that next level of creativity and attacking skill that Lletget provides. Lletget should be playing his soccer in Europe in Serie A, La Liga, Ligue 1, or the Bundesliga. His skill-level is at that level. With Lletget playing, Pulisic, Timothy Weah, and Bobby Wood or Josh Sargent should be getting more goals.
USMNT Forwards/Attack
There’s no question that Christian Pulisic will be starting, but who else will start? Timothy Weah has looked too dangerous and too fast and quick not to start. His style of playing combined with his speed and skill create a lot of scoring chances for the U.S. Either Bobby Wood or Josh Sargent at the center forward is a good option. People still seem to downplay Wood’s abilities, but he’s an exciting and effective Number 9. He finishes well, plus he has great off the ball movement and excellent speed. Wood is also a Bundesliga striker. Compared to say Jozy Altidore, Wood is better at getting behind defenders and going straight to goal. Sargent is also good at these things, and we still don’t know who’s better. Maybe playing both of them would make the U.S. much more dangerous against top national teams, but playing both would take away a midfielder from the lineup.
Final USMNT Lineup:
GK: Brad Guzan
RB: Reggie Cannon
CB: Matt Miazga
CB: John Brooks
LB: Jorge Villafaña
CM: Weston McKennie
CM: Tyler Adams
RW: Timothy Weah
AM: Sebastian Lletget
LW: Christian Pulisic
CF: Bobby Wood