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Who should the USMNT start against Uruguay?

U.S. Men’s National Team fans will be anxious for Tuesday to arrive, not just for the looming friendly against Uruguay, but for the chance to put Friday’s 3-0 loss to Mexico even further in the rearview mirror.

A half dozen players left USMNT camp after Friday’s loss, including many of the team’s top European-based stars, including Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie, leaving the squad in the hands of a younger group, headlined by St. Louis native Josh Sargent.

What will the USMNT lineup look like against Uruguay? Here is a look at the squad we could see on Tuesday:

https://youtu.be/FMrXa6-zPT4

Goalkeeper

Brad Guzan and Jesse Gonzalez are the goalkeepers in camp, and while Gonzalez might be better-suited for Berhalter’s possession-based system due to his superior passing, Guzan is the veteran who can help lead what could be an inexperienced defense.

Defenders

The Mexico loss was a rough one for the centerback tandem of Walker Zimmerman and Aaron Long. Berhalter could go with the tandem of Tim Ream and Miles Robinson in central defense. Ream’s passing ability combined with Robinson’s strong defensive qualities would make for an intriguing pairing.

Of course, that would likely mean having to give Sergino Dest another start, which wouldn’t be a bad thing. Dest did get burned on Mexico’s first goal, but also showed some good qualities.

If Berhalter decides that he doesn’t want to give the youngster that heavy a workload in his first USMNT camp, then Ream seems the better bet to start at left back. Daniel Lovitz is also in camp, but a start for the Montreal left back feels like a bit of a long shot, though Berhalter could decide he wants Ream centrally and doesn’t want to start Dest again, which would pave the way for a Lovitz start.

If Ream starts at left back, then look for a Robinson-Long tandem in central defense.

At right back, Reggie Cannon earned the start against Mexico, which should mean a nod for Nick Lima against Uruguay. Berhalter could choose to give Dest a look at right back, but it’s tough to see Lima not getting a start in this September FIFA window.

Midfielders

Weston McKennie and Alfredo Morales have returned to Germany, leaving at least two spots open for grabs and the veteran tandem of Sebastian Lletget and Cristian Roldan seems to be the most likely pairing to handle the dual playmaker roles against Uruguay.

Plenty of fans will be clamoring for Paxton Pomykal to make his USMNT debut, but nothing Berhalter has said during camp suggests the FC Dallas midfielder is in his plans to start.

The defensive midfield role is an interesting one to consider, because while nobody would be shocked if Berhalter gave Wil Trapp another starter, this match would be a good opportunity to have a look at a player like Jackson Yuiell, who is performing well for the San Jose Earthquakes.

Berhalter could also give Roldan a look in the defensive midfield role, and give Pomykal a start next to Lletget, but as we noted earlier, a Pomykal start seems unlikely barring injury.

Forwards

Josh Sargent should start at striker in his hometown of St. Louis, and no, not just because he’s playing at home. Gyasi Zardes was largely invisible against Mexico, and Sargent looks poised to bypass him on the striker depth chart for good.

Jordan Morris should start on the right wing in place of Tyler Boyd, who struggled against Mexico.

On the left, Corey Baird is in camp and has played that role before, but something to consider is the possibility of playing Zardes on the wing. His hold-up play as a target striker leaves plenty to be desired, but his work rate and speed could make him a viable option on the wing for this match.

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What do you think of this projected lineup? Who would you like to see start against Uruguay?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. —————Sargent——–Morris———-
    ——Lleget—-Roldan—Pomykal—-Zardes————–Ream—-Long—–Zimmerman—-Dest—————————-Gonzales—————
    Berhalter is not smart enough to do this we will loose.

    Reply
  2. Maybe too early for Yueill as a sole 6. I’d like to see Roldan as the 6…with Yueill as the 8 coupled with Lletget….Pomykal subbing in for at least 30 min.

    I’d like to see what Cannon looks like at LB…Lima at RB.

    And gasp! Dest at Rmid.

    I wouldn’t have any problem playing Dest or Lima as flank mids…probably better in the attack than most of the guys we have at that position not named Pulisic.

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  3. The centerbacks will be as doomed as they were against Mexico. The USA still does not have a set of midfielders who have the soccer brains to be open at the moment the backs need them for a short pass.

    Berhalter wants the backs to play short, but to whom? McKennie was sort of half open most of the time and I think Trapp was actually hiding against Mexico. I have seen nothing from this set of midfielders, any of them, that indicates they can move to be open when they are needed.

    Without that movement, building out of the back is impossible if the opponents apply even a little high pressure and it forces the backs into making passes to teammates who are covered and often forced to return the ball (often weakly) to the same back who originally needed the help. The back, if he is lucky can they pass back to the keeper, but when the pass is weak, too often it will be a turnover in a bad position.

    The backs are often blamed for that, but it is the lack of smart movement by the midfield that is the root cause. Of all the players in the US pool, only Bradley and Adams have consistently demonstrated the ability to be open, hence those are the guys, particularly Bradley, who receive the most passes from teammates.

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  4. Berhalter confirms that Yueill will start. Should mean we can breathe easier that Trapp will start.
    ————————————
    On the positive front USYT go 5-1. U17s 2-1, U20s 2-0, U23s beat Japan 2-0.

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  5. I’m going to guess 4-0 for Uruguay if that’s our line-up.
    There is literally no-one in midfield to create or defend.
    A back 4 composed of a has been, a wanna be, and 2 inexperienced new guys who’ve never played together before at any level.

    This is going to be painful to watch.

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  6. ——-Sargent——–Morris————————————————–
    Lleget—-Roldan—Pomykal—-Zardes—
    Ream—-Long—–Zimmerman—-Dest——————-Gonzales—————–
    This would be our best line up. Our coach isn’t the brightest but this line up of 4 4 2 would be much better than berhalters unknown formations of 4 1 3 1.

    Reply
  7. If only the soccer GODS WOULD LISTEN!!!!!!

    —————————–SARGENT——————————-

    F.JOHNSON ————MCKENNIE——————PULISIC

    ————–MORALES—————–NAGBE——————-

    CHANDLER—–ZIMMERMAN——BROOKS——-YEDLIN

    ——————————STEFFEN——————————–

    And yes, before anyone talks about Chandler, although predominately right-footed, he is able to play on either flank and in a number of formations.:

    “‘It’s not such a difficult thing whether it’s my right or left foot, because I can also play with my left,” he said after scoring with his alleged weaker foot against Wolfsburg last year. “I always play where my coach needs me and sometimes he needs me in defense on the right, left or as a centre-back. I always try my best.”……Timothy Chandler

    USA 3 vs England 1, haha

    Reply
    • A soccer gods response.
      .
      Morris over FJ
      .
      Nagbe didn’t want to play.
      .
      Brooks is always injured
      .
      Yedlin joined him for while now
      .
      We don’t have a left back choice….Beasley

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      • Antonee Robinson, Tim Ream, Sergino Dest, Julian Araujo and Chris Gloster we have as LB’s candidates and prospects. Extremely thin as we all can see.

    • I like this game 🙂

      I would venture and suggest this for my ideal “everyone is healthy” starting 11.

      Let’s get the most technical ability in the midfield so we actually hold the ball better…


      ————–______SARGENT——WEAH______

      ————F.JOHNSON ———————PULISIC

      ————–MCKENNIE—————–ADAMS——————-

      ————DEST—–LONG——BROOKS——-YEDLIN

      ——————————STEFFEN——————————–

      Reply
    • Zimmerman was pretty bad the other night and hasn’t been great for LAFC of late. I don’t think people has as much issue with the left side idea of Chandler as they do his just not playing. He hasn’t played enough for anyone to assess if he’s returned to his past form. Fully recovering from injuries at his age is no given. Mexico would probably appreciate it if we continue to use McKennie as out #10.

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    • Bizzy, I am not hating on Chandler, but the whole “I always try my best” doesn’t actually hold true. I will never forget Gutze’s goal for Germany (friendly under JK), when Chandler basically didn’t try at all. I do think he could help us, but it’s plays like that that make me wonder.

      Reply
  8. One, I can’t believe Boyd started over Morris. Without a doubt Morris is one of the most dangerous attackers.
    Two, give Pomykal his chance.
    Three, we saw Dest on the left. Inspite of the apologies and grace giving by everyone here, he was NOT GOOD. Start him on the right, or give someone else the opportunity.

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    • He’s an extreme liability defensively, and cannot maintain possession. If you just want a guy to run on goal, he’s a pretty good option. Boyd did a pretty poor job of these things as well the other night but you asked why Morris didn’t start.
      ———————————
      Pomykal has looked tired the last month. FCD has brought him off the bench the last few games. He got right back in the lineup after U20 WC and think that’s showing up in his legs. I’d expect him to get 15-20 minutes Tuesday.

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  9. Dest on the right please, I think it was a bad idea to start him on the left when he said he is more comfortable on the right and it was his first cap and against Mexico. I thought he played well but probably better I’m sure on the right.

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    • The problem is, who else is there at LB? Fabian Johnson, Tim Ream, even young Sergiño Dest, who made such a valiant effort — all those are good players and evidently willing to do a rough-and-ready job in a pinch, but it’s not their preferred position. So it seems more than a little unfair to make them play there.
      .
      I’ve never seen Daniel Lovitz play, but he’s evidently not exactly a spring chicken. Jorge Villafaña is a similar age and might also still sometimes be in the mix; I’ve often liked his energy, even if his efforts haven’t always paid off. In contrast, Antonee Robinson (not to be confused with Miles Robinson) still seems quite young.
      .
      But who else is there in the pool? Whom am I forgetting? How do you scout and develop a left back from academy level up, and are there any others in the pipeline?
      .
      Just as a question from a fan still learning about the game: Why is that such a hard position to fill? Is it ideally better suited to a left-footed player, and they’re just by definition thin on the ground, or what?
      .
      Re Guzan: I haven’t always been his biggest fan, but he’s been pretty hot lately for Atlanta. I think he can at least get the ball out of danger fast, which at the moment seems more essential than finding some elegant pass that can also go direly wrong.
      .

      Reply
      • Chris Gloster -(NYRB academy), & George Bello- (Atl United academy) are the 2 best prospects in USMNT system after who’s in the player pool, already. Who knows who we will see in this coming year!
        -I didn’t pay attention to Ben Sweat until Sarachan gave him appearance, as well as Lovitz, sans Berhalter. If age 25-30 is considered an athletes prime, then that would explain why relative unknown players in MLS are getting called in, or mid/w like FJ, or RBs are playing LB, because there’s no depth, @ LB between ‘87-‘95 birth years.
        -This is also the reason why, Kellyn Acosta, is who I’d like to see @ LB. He’s a defensive player. He’s got a wicked left-foot on set pieces, he’s younger than Sweat & Lovitz but more experienced with USMNT, then Antonee Robinson, because he played LB in U20s (Steffen, Morris, Arriola, etc.), (I know, he’s a Mid-fielder, and actually has played some attacking mid this season!)
        – I’m no pro- athlete, nor was I even a high school athlete, but I am left-footed. There are just more right-handed, right-footed people in this world. In futbol, RBs TEND to be technical, LB TEND to more creative. You’re taught to keep yourself between the defender and ball. A left-footed player, @ LB, will keep the ball, on his/her left, 1st instinct, vs a right- footed player, who’s 1st instinct is use their right, giving the defender a chance @ the ball, or passing it back 2 the CBs.
        -In 2009, the US academy system for MLS was developed, (JKs MANY stipulations, before he took the USMNT job). 10 years later, every commenter on this board, would pay to see Ramos’ U20s, or Hackworth, or Wicky’s U17s! YNT play an attractive style! Developing players isn’t a obstacle anymore. Prior to 2009, America has been developing it’s players to play specifically in a 4-4-2. It has nothing to do with being JK apologist. “Proof is on the pitch!”. US players playing in Europe, & the players born in ‘99 until …have a difficult time playing a 4-4-2, not cause they can’t play… hardly any club in any league in Europe, play that archaic formation. It handcuffs players, effecting movements off the ball, passing lanes, and overall cohesion, making it a boring to watch. It’s a ‘submission cobra!’ formation.
        – GC Semi- vs Jamaica, 1st ‘15 – 4-3-3. After weather delay, 4-4-2!
        -GC final-1st ‘15 4-3-3, fell back 2 a 4-4-2. -Friday’s friendly- 4-4-2 out the gate!
        – As for Guzan, he usually kicks the ball out of bounds, when making a pass to a player on the touch line. Any USMNT goalie born before ‘95 will not be able to play with their feet. As Ives, pointed out, J. Gonzalez is the best American goalie I’ve seen, play out of the back! I hope he starts vs Uruguay!!

    • Disagree – thought he was the best LB I’ve seen for us since FJ, which is not saying much, sure, but he’s still an upgrade to what we’ve seen there recently. For a 1st game at LB when he plays RB in club and against Mexico, at age 18, I’m convinced he can play there until we find someone better.

      After all, let he who as never been nutmegged cast the first stone!

      People also forget that on that play, another more irritating mistake is how can Chicharito be left so unmarked in the middle of the box!

      Reply
    • Marlon Fossey’s birthday today. He has yet to play for Fulham’s U23s and was not called into the U23 camp after he was in May. Possibly an injury of some sort given how high people were on him before his ACL injury.

      Reply
  10. Based on who is left I’m not sure how it could go any other way. Maybe Ream starts at LB and Dest plays as a wing but that seems doubtful. Boyd plays LW for his clubs, I’d rather see that even after his performance Friday than Baird. Pomykal isn’t really a wing but could play there but Berhalter mentioned how he’d come off the bench the last couple weeks so not likely to start.

    Reply
  11. “U.S. Men’s National Team fans will be anxious for Tuesday to arrive, not just for the looming friendly against Uruguay, but for the chance to put Friday’s 3-0 loss to Mexico even further in the rearview mirror.”

    I think this is wishful thinking. I, for one, have been a die-hard U.S. fan most of my life (since I was 12,in 1989).I have little to no desire to watch Tuesday’s friendly. This team, under Berhalter, is an uninspiring mess. I have better things to do with my time than watch yet another poor performance. This is something I never would have said in the past.

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    • With all the injuries, MLS schedule, early departures, and U23-U20-U17s all training this is much closer to a January roster. Uruguay roster isn’t that exciting either.

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    • I have read that Uruguay will not have Suarez or Cavani, so all is not lost. We could eke out a boring 0-0 draw. The way the team has been playing, we can overwhelm the minnows in CONCACAF, but have trouble with scoring against anyone tougher. Despite our defensive lapses vs. Mexico, right now I think I’m more worried about how weak our attack is. Without Pulisic, who is there to score? We will need some “team” goals.

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  12. Guzan? No. Please, no. Ten years ago, yes, but now, no.
    His distribution is horrible, and he isn’t as good as he used to be. Give Jesse a start and let’s see what he does under pressure. This is what friendlies are for.

    Reply

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