We’re less than two months away until the U.S. men’s national team’s quest of lifting the 2024 Copa America trophy begins.
The reigning CONCACAF Nations League winners will welcome CONMEBOL’s best to North America, with hopes of defying the odds against several international heavyweights. Gregg Berhalter still has time to narrow down his roster for this summer’s competition, and very well could be forced into changes pending the end of the European season.
Plenty of the USMNT’s first-choice players should be available for Berhalter to choose from including Christian Pulisic, Antonee Robinson, Yunus Musah, and Matt Turner. Sergino Dest’s recent injury will rule him out of action this summer though, opening a major hole at right back.
The No. 9 position remains up for grabs with Haji Wright and Josh Sargent fighting for involvement, alongside Folarin Balogun and Ricardo Pepi.
Berhalter and his staff will have to trim a 55-player preliminary roster down to 23 players before the start of the tournament in mid-June.
Here is a closer look at who we believe Berhalter will call into Copa America duty:
Goalkeepers
Matt Turner, Ethan Horvath, Drake Callender
Matt Turner’s lack of playing time at Nottingham Forest is a major worry, but expect him to remain the USMNT’s No. 1 heading into the competition.
Turner is Berhalter’s No. 1 and even though Ethan Horvath and Drake Callender are playing each week, the veteran shot-stopper should be given another opportunity to prove himself.
Horvath and Callender will certainly fight for minutes, but I don’t see them overtaking Turner anytime soon, unless an injury occurs.
Missed the Cut: Zack Steffen, Sean Johnson, Gabriel Slonina.
Defenders
Tim Ream, Chris Richards, Auston Trusty, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Joe Scally, Antonee Robinson, Kristoffer Lund, Bryan Reynolds.
Sergino Dest’s injury absence is a major worry for the USMNT, but Joe Scally will be expected to step up at right back.
Scally, 21, has continued to play regularly with Borussia Moenchengladbach this season and has a great opportunity this summer to carry his club form over to the international level. Although he doesn’t have the international experience that Dest does, Scally is a youthful option and should get the nod.
Tim Ream’s veteran experience is a must in the squad, even if he might not be in the starting lineup. His Fulham role has decreased in recent months, but Ream will be expected to play some sort of role.
Chris Richards, Auston Trusty, and Cameron Carter-Vickers have all played leading roles at club level this season and will be fighting to start in the back-four. Richards overcame a tough first half of the season with Crystal Palace to become a key contributor through the winter and spring.
Although Sheffield United is set for relegation, Trusty has gained valuable experience at Bramall Lane this season. He has featured as a centerback and left back at times for the Blades.
Carter-Vickers has helped Celtic jump back into the drivers seat in the SPFL and will aim to stay healthy for lengthy international run.
Antonee Robinson remains the USMNT’s top left back option and that role should continue this summer. Robinson has been one of the better left backs in the Premier League and will now aim to test himself against CONMEBOL’s best.
Kristoffer Lund is a left back option behind Robinson while Bryan Reynolds has enjoyed another strong season in Belgium at right back. Reynolds’ status is up in the air pending the Paris Olympics, but if he is wanted with the senior team, he definitely deserves it.
Mark McKenzie is also a centerback option that deserves an opportunity and pending the fitness levels of Ream, Richards, Trusty, and Carter-Vickers, could be in the squad.
Missed the Cut: Kevin Paredes, DeAndre Yedlin, Lynden Gooch, Reggie Cannon, John Brooks, Mark McKenzie.
Midfielders
Weston McKennie, Yunus Musah, Luca De La Torre, Malik Tillman, Johnny Cardoso, Tyler Adams, Gio Reyna.
There are no real surprises here with several of the USMNT midfielders thriving at club level.
Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie, and Yunus Musah are the USMNT’s top three midfielders and all three excelled during the Nations League window last March. Although fitness issues have sidelined Adams in recent weeks, his presence in the USMNT remains majorly important.
McKennie and Musah have enjoyed positive club seasons and will be seeking a strong summer. Their versatility has been on display in Serie A and very well could see them floated in different roles with the USMNT.
Malik Tillman has been one of the top performers in the Eredivisie and should be back in the USMNT squad. Tillman has been impactful in PSV’s title run, registering double-digit assists and closing in on double-digit goals.
Johnny Cardoso’s impressive start to life in La Liga warrants him an opportunity with the USMNT this summer. Cardoso’s strong work rate paired with his ability to create in the final third will see him as a strong bench option.
Gio Reyna enjoyed a strong March window with the USMNT and has shown some bright spots with Nottingham Forest since then. Although Reyna’s club future remains a major question mark this summer, a strong USMNT run could be great for a potential move away from Borussia Dortmund.
Luca De La Torre’s creativity will also be something to watch off the bench for the USMNT. De La Torre has missed some time with Celta Vigo, but he has been positive when healthy in Spain.
Gianluca Busio and Tanner Tessmann will be in the mix for Olympic opportunities so I’d expect to see them there and not at the Copa America. Brenden Aaronson’s up-and-down loan spell in Germany likely will rule him out of contention while Lennard Maloney is also one of the odd-men out.
Missed the Cut: Brenden Aaronson, Gianluca Busio, Tanner Tessmann, Lennard Maloney.
Forwards
Christian Pulisic, Josh Sargent, Folarin Balogun, Tim Weah, Haji Wright.
Christian Pulisic remains the headlining attacking threat in Berhalter’s squad, but who will step up around him?
Haji Wright has been one of the productive forwards in Europe this season, helping Coventry City reach the FA Cup Semifinals and also come close to a top-six finish. Wright’s versatility has seen him used out wide, a role we could also see him in with the USMNT.
Folarin Balogun has struggled at times with Monaco, but his long-term potential remains very high. Balogun’s physicality and verticality makes him a good option to have, whether that is in the starting lineup or off the bench.
Ricardo Pepi’s limited playing time at PSV is worrying for his club future while Josh Sargent has had a great season for Norwich City. Although Pepi has earned more USMNT chances in recent time, I think bringing Sargent back is a must this summer.
Similar to Wright, Sargent has floated out wide at times in David Wagner’s squad, which could be used if needed.
Tim Weah remains a likely candidate to start on the right wing of Berhalter’s set-up despite being in-and-out of the Juventus squad. Weah could also play as a right wing back or right back if needed, but I’d expect him up high in the formation.
Brandon Vazquez and Alex Zendejas are additional attacking pieces that deserve chances, but there are others ahead of them right now in the pecking order.
Missed the Cut: Ricardo Pepi, Brandon Vazquez, Taylor Booth, Alex Zendejas.
What do you think of our projected roster? Who made the cut that you are hoping is included? Who did we leave out that you think deserves to be part of the Copa America squad?
Share your thoughts below.
Hmmmm…..Current Tyler Adams tho??? When was the last time he was consistent in a line-up, let alone played in a meaningful game….
Without the “wheels” and form he is known for he’s a midfield liability….
Vac, thanks for the thoughtful reply
to be clear, I was comparing the move by CP and Wes, along with countless others, that helped them or hurt them…not the players themselves. But, that said, the right spot for BA is imperative at this point.
Maybe playing for country can help him, like it has so many others, like Gio
oops, this was supposed too be a reply below to you, Vac
We should play with three in the back and use Weah and Jedi as wingbacks.
Jesse Marsch reportedly in the running for Canadian manager.
No Miles Robinson, I approve.
It has been 794 days since Duane Holmes scored a goal from outside the box.
Miles Robinson not on list? Really.
European CB’s playing at a higher level right now tbh. Robinson probably will make it over one of the guys I picked
do you think that outside of a few group stage games in the UCL every season, that playing in the SPL is better than playing in MLS week in and week out?
He overrated and not better than Trusty, did you not remember how awful he was in the Jamaica game.
I recall CCV being really bad against TNT too, he literally gave up a bad goal that sealed their win. I don’t recall Miles being bad against Jamaica, but I could be wrong!
Just one indicator but Miles had a 8.1 rating on Fotmob vs Jamaica and CCV had a 6.6 against TnT and a 7.9 in the TnT win.
Is Miles Robinson hurt? Or just not playing well this season?
He has been playing for FC Cincy.
Would be a mistake to leave out Pepi. I think he makes it over Reynolds. Weah can cover RB if needed.
Pepi should be on the Olympic roster as he will be a starter. Probably wouldn’t get much time on the field for the Copa.
yeah agreed
Tim Weah may be positioned as the insurance fill-in at wingback, with Dest out. If so, Pepi may squeeze in. Who would be out? Thinking Lund.
I think Pepi has produced basically each time he’a put on the US jersey, so for me he should be there, despite limited minutes at club.
I think Aaronson makes it, too. His energy off the bench is something most other players can’t bring so consistently.
If Pepi is not starting on this team, he’s the first guy in if offense is a need.
Since Qatar ended, what good has Brenden’s “energy” done for the USMNT? Is Uruguay scheming to deal with the threat of Brenden off the bench? I don’t think so.
He has been less than mediocre for a long time now.
Deserve’s got nothing to do with it but Brenden does not deserve a spot on the Copa America team.
At the moment, no, though I’m a lot higher on Aaronson than many folks are. Unless I was coaching a Man City or suchlike, he’d be one of the first guys I’d try to sign. He is so freaking versatile, so incredibly coachable, and his effort is contagious. You plug him in a half-dozen different places and he can do the job. And no, he is not “Paul Arriola with better skills”…Arriola ran hard and was obviously a good locker-room guy but that just wasn’t nearly enough for me. Aaronson’s really good on the ball, really good on the turn, and can play in shoebox-sized spaces. And he is a pretty good finisher, too.
His form is so-so at the moment though it’s improving, but honestly I just don’t think he’s found quite the right home yet. I think he’s a Serie A guy and would be a tactical coach’s dream. Aaronson would thrive at AC Milan or Juventus. All that said, he’s definitely on the razor’s edge as far as having a spot for Copa. If he makes it in it’ll be as a winger, and Haji Wright’s in better form than he is, and more than likely I see Gregg rostering Malik Tillman as a winger too, which could leave him on the outside.
I’m fine with the projected roster given here. I’m neutral on Aronsson, but I think the last time he played for the nats he seems to have improved considerably. He seems a lot more skilled than say two years ago while still showing all that energy. I wouldn’t have a problem with him replacing someone like De La Torre. De La Torre is one of those guys who doesn’t seem to screw up, but he doesn’t seem to really distinguish himself, IMO.
“Unless I was coaching a Man City or suchlike, he’d be one of the first guys I’d try to sign. He is so freaking versatile, so incredibly coachable, and his effort is contagious.”
No doubt. But you just said you wouldn’t sign him if you were coaching for an elite top team like Man City. That’s what the USMNT is supposed to be, a team of the very best the US can produce. Brenden ain’t that guy anymore.
The USMNT players don’t need any incentive to raise their effort. Are you telling me a guy like HAJI ( see JR I spelled it right) , a junk yard dog who won’t let anyone tell him he’s not good enough needs Brenden fucking Aaronson to inspire him?
I don’t think so.
“Aaronson’s really good on the ball, really good on the turn, and can play in shoebox-sized spaces. And he is a pretty good finisher, too.”
Yeah, in the Austrian BL, MLS or Concacaf, all places where Paul Ariolla might also distinguish himself.
But Aaronson can’t do it in the EPL or it seems, the BL. He didn’t impress in the World Cup.
Jesse said he was exceptionally coachable. Which makes you wonder because he started his downhill slide while being coached by Jesse at Leeds. Brenden is one reason I’ve soured a bit on Jesse’s coaching acumen.
Brenden is not one of your diva shitbags. He’s no Gio. He is immensely likeable and most everyone here, including me, would love him to come back and be a huge success. At lot of you were rating him better than Pulisic at one point.
But the things he still can do at a high level, the running at so called “tired defenders” until the cows come home, the being “coachable”, that’s just not good enough. You’re describing him as a chaos agent you bring in off the bench to mess up the other team. Well, the other team doesn’t seem to be bothered.
Brenden is going to have to make adjustments. Maybe another year or two will help him get it right.
Whatever he did at the lower levels it’s not working at the higher levels. He’s been found out. Gregg is the guy who tried to force Ferreira into being a #9 and he couldn’t make it happen. Now he’s going to try salvage Brenden. Gregg might not be able to get away with Ariolla but he can and will get away with putting Brenden on the Copa roster and even the World Cup roster.
Hate to say it, but I think all that time playing under Jesse’s crack-ball, helter-skelter, system without a cause was a disservice to Brendan. He certainly has attributes to his game and attitude that were well suited, but that narrow approach stalled his overall development. High energy, hustle is great- when it’s warranted, but there are times when you need to be smart, measured, more intelligent with your approach. With the ball at his feet in the final 3rd in particular, BA tends to be rushed, panicky… needs to pick up his head and see the field, be more calm and precise. He’s got all the right the tools and I’ve seen signs in recent games of maturation. Would like to see him reach his potential.
I watch a lot of BA over the years. he’s in the wrong league, Italy would be great, or Spain.
and I agree with rico
How many of you have watched him this season, or just this year, at club? Check for me
As for in the US uni, he does whatever is asked of him, always has, whatever the role, and they have varied a lot, including off the bench.
against Bayern in the CL and in that CL in general, BA showed his quality tho it is forgotten by some evidently.
And, as predicted, the EPL broke him. Said it before he went there he would get abused with no protection, that his holdup game was brave and that he’d take a lot of punishment from behind for it. Check to all of that, and again, agree with rico
deserves a spot on the Copa America team? idk about that. basing it on an ‘up and down’ loan spell? maybe in part, but GB knows exactly who BA (and Gio) is and what BA has done for the nats under GB’s leadership, and that he’s very versatile in positions and tactics, and has been around this group and produced, and has played better as the season has worn on in Germany than has been reported on this board.
I am not advocating for his inclusion but it would hardly be a bad decision as some here claim (have you all seen him play at Union at all?). and not making excuses for him either; soccer is a physically brutal game and he got punished and it took a toll on his belief. making his way back
Yunus playing right back for Milan is an interesting twist to it all maybe.
the right club in the right league helped CP. Also helped Wes. Plenty of others…and the wrong ones hurt plenty, too.
beachbum,
“the right club in the right league helped CP. Also helped Wes. Plenty of others…and the wrong ones hurt plenty, too.”
I agree with most of what you wrote.
I don’t agree with comparing Brenden with CP or Weston.
Weston and CP aren’t like Brenden.
CP would hardly be the first very talented player who did not fit well at Chelsea and failed to show well. And once they got out of there, those talented players got a chance to show what they were all about. The list is too long to mention but Kevin DeBruyne and Mo Salah are a good place to start with that list.
Weston blew hot and cold at Juve at first . Pirlo, who brought him in, got axed. In some ways it is surprising they loaned him out rather than just cut him loose. Weston was a disaster at Leeds but that was mostly because Leeds was a disaster for almost everyone involved. Everyone that that version of Leeds touched turned to shit. He was very lucky that when he got back to Juve he had a chance to win his way back into a regular role. He took that challenge with both hands and has done very, very well. Good for him.
I didn’t see either player’s basic talent and ability being questioned. CP had a nice successful run with Chelsea and he was a vital part of their Champions League winning side. And Weston had some runs at Juve where he showed what he could do even before the Leeds banishment.
What I saw being questioned was their commitment and discipline, their toughness and consistency.
But Brenden is not as good or as proven a soccer player as Weston or CP11.
His basic talent is being questioned. Union was an interesting choice for him since they were not known for pressing which Brenden, with his discipline and that good old relentless run all day American endurance, was good at.
Of course, they have since fired the manager, Fischer.
I didn’t get to see a lot of him at Union because he hasn’t played that much. With the new manager, I see he’s playing more now. A change of manager often helps. I don’t know much about Croatian Nenad Bjelica but he has led them out of the relegation zone and appears to have righted the ship. That 30 million that Jesse blew on him may be an issue but if Brenden can swing it, it might be good for him to stay. Starting fresh somewhere else is very disruptive.
It’s not the league that is BA’s problem. It’s him and the team. Leeds was a shithole with a shit manager. And now with the new manager, maybe Union is getting better for him to be there. Now it’s just a matter of him getting better.
Gregg loves his guys and BA is certainly that so I’m confident that Brenden will get crammed onto the roster.
BA has done a lot for this team , and is extremely popular with y’all and with the media ( he and Paxton and his family are such good wholesome copy; we’re not dealing with Hope Solo here). I like the guy too but I think this whole Jesse generated most coachable player ever thing is such bullshit.
The USMNT is supposed to be about merit and who makes the team play better today. If locker room presence, physical attributes and great stories are the rule then Brandon Vasquez, Cade Cowell, Roldan and Aaron Long should be on the Copa America squad. Big, strong, athletic, powerful likeable guys. And Roldan too.
You never know, unlike Ferreira, BA may come good in Copa America. I don’t like that his non-meritorious inclusion might retard the development of other players. I don’t have like for like replacements for him but if he’s there that means Gregg is NOT forced to give another player a chance to be relied on.
And for me the USMNT needs to find out about a lot of players.