The U.S. males’s nationwide crew will meet a well-known CONCACAF foe in its first post-Copa America match.
Interim head coach Mikey Varas leads the People into Saturday’s showdown with Canada at Kids’s Mercy Park. The USMNT endured a tough summer season on the Copa America, however now has a fast begin to get again on observe of their first of a number of preparatory matches for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Christian Pulisic, Yunus Musah, and Tim Ream headline Varas’ 24-player roster for the upcoming pair of matches. Matt Turner and Auston Trusty have been additionally among the many roster choices, regardless of their lowered roles at membership stage.
Antonee Robinson, Weston McKennie, and Cameron Carter-Vickers are among the many gamers not within the present squad for respective causes. Their absences will present a optimistic alternative for others to step up equivalent to Caleb Wiley, Johnny Cardoso, and Malik Tillman.
Right here is the beginning lineup we may see the USMNT deploy in opposition to Canada on Saturday, in addition to the lineup we might deploy if we have been making the ultimate lineup selections:
GOALKEEPER
Who ought to begin: Matt Turner
Matt Turner’s lack of taking part in time continues to be a problem, however I’d count on to see Varas present him with a chance on Saturday.
Turner may very properly be out of the No. 1 job by the point the World Cup comes round. Ethan Horvath has continued to play often for Cardiff Metropolis whereas Patrick Schulte is a rising prospect with the Columbus Crew.
Twin-national Diego Kochen can also be included on this month’s camp for the primary time in his worldwide profession.
Nevertheless, Turner is probably the most skilled goalkeeper among the many present 4 and may earn an opportunity to show himself once more.
DEFENDERS
Who ought to begin: Joe Scally, Chris Richards, Auston Trusty, Caleb Wiley
There are many defensive choices for Varas to select from at every place.
Sergino Dest’s continued absence means Joe Scally heads into September camp because the USMNT’s No. 1 proper again choice. Scally excelled on the Copa America, strolling away as one of many few vibrant spots within the squad.
That confidence has carried over into the early levels of the Bundesliga season with Borussia Dortmund. Count on to see Scally given the chance once more on Saturday.
Marlon Fossey can be pushing for his debut and deserves a shot off the bench to show himself with the USMNT.
Centerback stays one of many greatest query marks within the USMNT squad.
Veteran Tim Ream is again in MLS and will very properly proceed to be a pacesetter within the squad. Ream continues to be taking part in at a excessive stage at 36-years-old, however can be pressured by a number of youthful centerbacks within the pool.
I believe Ream may be rested for this match, opening the door for Chris Richards and Auston Trusty to begin collectively. Richards is again taking part in often with Crystal Palace and will use a confidence increase after a tough summer season on the Copa America.
Trusty, who joined Scottish leaders Celtic on Deadline Day, may even be hoping to characteristic incessantly over the subsequent few months. After taking part in closely within the English Premier League final season, Trusty ought to see minutes in opposition to Canada or New Zealand as he tries to pad his inventory in Cameron Carter-Vickers’ absence.
Mark McKenzie can also be an choice that wants taking part in time, however once more, that might come within the second match vs. New Zealand. McKenzie made the summer season transfer to Ligue 1 membership Toulouse and now has a brand new alternative with the USMNT as properly.
Antonee Robinson’s absence from the squad means both Kristoffer Lund or Caleb Wiley may begin at left again. We all know what Lund brings to the squad, a powerful defensive work price, however Wiley is a youthful choice and extra of a livelier full again within the closing third.
Varas may go together with the youthful choice in Wiley in opposition to Canada, particularly recent off his trio of Ligue 1 appearances for Strasbourg.
MIDFIELDERS
Who ought to begin: Johnny Cardoso, Yunus Musah, Malik Tillman.
The USMNT stays with out Tyler Adams and can also be lacking Weston McKennie for this window, opening the door to new pairings and concepts.
Johnny Cardoso is a participant that has actually risen to the problem with La Liga aspect Actual Betis and deserves a begin on this window. Cardoso’s sturdy two-way talents may see him use extra defensively, however I count on to see Varas enable him and Yunus Musah to interchange with each other in midfield.
Malik Tillman is an effective choice on the No. 10, particularly after a quick begin to PSV’s season. Tillman hasn’t translated his membership manufacturing over to the worldwide stage, however may use this window as a springboard into a bigger position down the street.
Luca De La Torre has not featured but for Celta Vigo this season, however may benefit from the call-up. Persevering with his chemistry together with his USMNT teammates is actually essential and possibly a pair of cameos this month may assist him get again right into a groove at membership stage.
Aidan Morris also needs to see time this window, particularly after his spectacular begin to life in England with Middlesbrough. Morris, a former Columbus Crew standout, has jumped proper into Michael Carrick’s squad on Teesside and hasn’t appeared again.
Brenden Aaronson, who was listed as a ahead within the squad announcement, can also be an choice to drop into midfield if want be.
FORWARDS
Who ought to begin: Haji Wright, Josh Sargent, Christian Pulisic
Varas may go a bunch of various methods in assault, much like the opposite place teams in his squad.
Haji Wright and Brenden Aaronson are choices at proper wing, with Tim Weah staying in Turin by way of damage. Wright’s versatility has continued with Coventry Metropolis, floating out huge and utilizing his bodily talents to pair properly together with his attacking teammates.
Aaronson, who has primarily featured extra as a midfielder for Leeds United, may additionally characteristic out huge as a urgent attacker within the formation. Midfield can also be an choice for Aaronson.
Folarin Balogun, Ricardo Pepi, and Josh Sargent ought to all see alternatives on the No. 9 place this month. Balogun has struggled to seek out the again of the web to date, whereas Sargent has two targets for Norwich Metropolis and Pepi has two mixed between PSV and Jong PSV.
I’d go together with Sargent right here and let Balogun and/or Pepi come off the bench.
Christian Pulisic stays top-of-the-line attackers in CONCACAF and is essential to how the USMNT wish to assault. Pulisic has one purpose and one help to date for AC Milan and can be keen so as to add to his worldwide numbers this window.
Much like Aaronson, Pulisic may additionally drop into the midfield for possession earlier than springing assaults upfield.
What do you consider our projected lineups? Which might you begin? Who’re you most excited to see play? Are there any doubts you have got?
Share your ideas under.