The U.S. males’s nationwide staff will search a profitable begin to the Mauricio Pochettino-era on Saturday when Panama opposes them within the first of two October friendlies this month.
Q2 Stadium will play host to Saturday’s CONCACAF showdown, which would be the second USMNT-Panama assembly of 2024. Panama defeated the USMNT 2-1 in Copa America group stage play final summer season, however the People will definitely have revenge on their minds with Pochettino starting his spell as head coach.
Tyler Adams, Chris Richards, Folarin Balogun, and Tim Weah are among the many absentees for the USMNT as a consequence of respective accidents.
Nevertheless, a number of acquainted faces are again in worldwide motion together with Christian Pulisic, Yunus Musah, Weston McKennie, and Antonee Robinson.
With the USMNT hoping to kick off the Pochettino-era with a bang, right here is the beginning lineup we’d deploy the in opposition to Panama on Saturday:
GOALKEEPER
Who ought to begin: Zack Steffen
Pochettino has already expressed his concern in Matt Turner and Ethan Horvath’s roles at membership stage, opening the door for veteran Zack Steffen to get his first alternative in fairly some time.
Steffen has performed often this 12 months for the Colorado Rapids following his return from Manchester Metropolis. The previous Columbus Crew standout can be in search of his first cap since 2023.
Turner and Horvath might struggle for alternatives this window however count on Pochettino to probably go along with the new hand.
Patrick Schulte can be an possibility after remaining the Crew’s No. 1 goalkeeper in MLS this season.
DEFENDERS
Who ought to begin: Joe Scally, Miles Robinson, Mark McKenzie, Antonee Robinson
The absences of Chris Richards and Cameron Carter-Vickers will result in a brand new pairing at centerback for the USMNT.
Miles Robinson has remained a constant performer for FC Cincinnati and brings sturdy aerial skills to the sector. Robinson has beforehand been on the surface, however as a consequence of Richards and Carter-Vickers’ absences, will purpose to profit from this camp.
Mark McKenzie additionally will get the nod in our XI after rising into a daily for Ligue 1 facet Toulouse. McKenzie has rapidly made the adjustment to a top-five European league and deserves extra of a glance underneath the brand new head coach.
Veteran Tim Ream and Celtic’s Auston Trusty also needs to see minutes this window after remaining within the defensive pecking order.
Sergino Dest stays sidelined in Eindhoven which means Joe Scally is the USMNT’s No. 1 proper again. Scally break up time in September with Marlon Fossey and I count on that to be the case once more this month.
Fossey excelled in his USMNT debut vs. New Zealand and has continued to rack up constant minutes with Commonplace Liege.
Antonee Robinson is again within the USMNT fold after receiving the September window off. Robinson has been one in every of Fulham’s higher gamers in the course of the early levels of the English Premier League season and stays probably the greatest left backs general.
Kristoffer Lund may also search minutes as he tries to assert down the No. 2 job behind Robinson.
MIDFIELDERS
Who ought to begin: Yunus Musah, Weston McKennie, Brenden Aaronson
Pochettino might go a bunch of various methods in midfield however count on familiarity this window.
Weston McKennie has fought his method again into Thiago Motta’s plans at Juventus, which is a testomony to his work ethic. McKennie initially seemed destined to depart Serie A earlier than the season started, however as an alternative has jumped proper again into the plans each domestically and internationally.
His position stays simply as vital with the USMNT.
Yunus Musah hasn’t hit the bottom operating underneath Paulo Fonseca at AC Milan however is vital to the USMNT. His aggressive type of play paired along with his tireless engine makes him a key cog of the midfield corps.
Brenden Aaronson has helped Leeds United to a high quality begin within the EFL Championship and can look to hold that type over to the USMNT. Aaronson’s urgent capability paired along with his general offensive consciousness might be what Pochettino leans on in his techniques.
Malik Tillman, Aidan Morris, Tanner Tessmann, and Gianluca Busio may also see time this month, after delivering optimistic begins to the European membership season.
FORWARDS
Who ought to begin: Haji Wright, Josh Sargent, Christian Pulisic
Folarin Balogun’s absence from the USMNT roster opens the door to Josh Sargent, Ricardo Pepi, and Brandon Vazquez within the No. 9 race.
Balogun’s dislocated shoulder pressured him out of USMNT motion regardless of the ahead scoring in every of his final three membership matches. Sargent, Pepi, and Vazquez have all discovered the again of the online of their respective membership seasons, however I anticipated Sargent to get the nod this time round.
Haji Wright can be an possibility on the No. 9 place however Tim Weah’s absence possible shifts Wright to the right-wing position, one thing he has continued to do at Coventry Metropolis. The sturdy mixture of tempo and physicality makes Wright generally un-guardable as an opposing defender.
Alex Zendejas can be an possibility at proper wing, however I count on Wright to get the majority of the alternatives there.
In-form Christian Pulisic stays the USMNT’s most vital participant. After profitable AC Milan’s Participant of the Month award for September, the 26-year-old has continued to provide within the ultimate third this fall.
Pochettino will rely closely on Pulisic’s playmaking and goalscoring skills going ahead.
What do you consider our projected lineups? Which might you begin? Who’re you most excited to see play? Are there any doubts you could have?
Share your ideas under.