The U.S. men’s national team will meet a familiar CONCACAF foe in its first post-Copa America match.
Interim head coach Mikey Varas leads the Americans into Saturday’s showdown with Canada at Children’s Mercy Park. The USMNT endured a rough summer at the Copa America, but now has a quick start to get back on track in their first of several 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 were also among the roster selections, despite their reduced roles at club level.
Antonee Robinson, Weston McKennie, and Cameron Carter-Vickers are among the players not in the current squad for respective reasons. Their absences will provide a positive opportunity for others to step up such as Caleb Wiley, Johnny Cardoso, and Malik Tillman.
Here is the starting lineup we could see the USMNT deploy against Canada on Saturday, as well as the lineup we would deploy if we were making the final lineup decisions:
GOALKEEPER
Who should start: Matt Turner
Matt Turner’s lack of playing time continues to be an issue, but I’d expect to see Varas provide him with an opportunity on Saturday.
Turner could very well be out of the No. 1 job by the time the World Cup comes around. Ethan Horvath has continued to play regularly for Cardiff City while Patrick Schulte is a rising prospect with the Columbus Crew.
Dual-national Diego Kochen is also included in this month’s camp for the first time in his international career.
However, Turner is the most experienced goalkeeper among the current four and should earn a chance to prove himself again.
DEFENDERS
Who should start: Joe Scally, Chris Richards, Auston Trusty, Caleb Wiley
There are plenty of defensive options for Varas to choose from at each position.
Sergino Dest’s continued absence means Joe Scally heads into September camp as the USMNT’s No. 1 right back option. Scally excelled at the Copa America, walking away as one of the few bright spots in the squad.
That confidence has carried over into the early stages of the Bundesliga season with Borussia Dortmund. Expect to see Scally given the opportunity again on Saturday.
Marlon Fossey will be pushing for his debut and deserves a shot off the bench to prove himself with the USMNT.
Centerback remains one of the biggest question marks in the USMNT squad.
Veteran Tim Ream is back in MLS and could very well continue to be a leader in the squad. Ream is still playing at a high level at 36-years-old, but will be pressured by several younger centerbacks in the pool.
I think Ream can be rested for this match, opening the door for Chris Richards and Auston Trusty to start together. Richards is back playing regularly with Crystal Palace and could use a confidence boost after a rough summer at the Copa America.
Trusty, who joined Scottish leaders Celtic on Deadline Day, will also be hoping to feature frequently over the next few months. After playing heavily in the English Premier League last season, Trusty should see minutes against Canada or New Zealand as he tries to pad his stock in Cameron Carter-Vickers’ absence.
Mark McKenzie is also an option that needs playing time, but again, that could come in the second match vs. New Zealand. McKenzie made the summer move to Ligue 1 club Toulouse and now has a new opportunity with the USMNT as well.
Antonee Robinson’s absence from the squad means either Kristoffer Lund or Caleb Wiley could start at left back. We know what Lund brings to the squad, a strong defensive work rate, but Wiley is a younger option and more of a livelier full back in the final third.
Varas might go with the younger option in Wiley against Canada, especially fresh off his trio of Ligue 1 appearances for Strasbourg.
MIDFIELDERS
Who should start: Johnny Cardoso, Yunus Musah, Malik Tillman.
The USMNT remains without Tyler Adams and is also missing Weston McKennie for this window, opening the door to new pairings and ideas.
Johnny Cardoso is a player that has certainly risen to the challenge with La Liga side Real Betis and deserves a start in this window. Cardoso’s strong two-way abilities could see him use more defensively, but I expect to see Varas allow him and Yunus Musah to interchange with one another in midfield.
Malik Tillman is a good option at the No. 10, especially after a fast start to PSV’s season. Tillman hasn’t translated his club production over to the international level, but could use this window as a springboard into a larger role down the road.
Luca De La Torre has not featured yet for Celta Vigo this season, but could benefit from the call-up. Continuing his chemistry with his USMNT teammates is certainly important and maybe a pair of cameos this month could help him get back into a groove at club level.
Aidan Morris should also see time this window, especially after his impressive start to life in England with Middlesbrough. Morris, a former Columbus Crew standout, has jumped right into Michael Carrick’s squad on Teesside and hasn’t looked back.
Brenden Aaronson, who was listed as a forward in the squad announcement, is also an option to drop into midfield if need be.
FORWARDS
Who should start: Haji Wright, Josh Sargent, Christian Pulisic
Varas could go a bunch of different ways in attack, similar to the other position groups in his squad.
Haji Wright and Brenden Aaronson are options at right wing, with Tim Weah staying in Turin through injury. Wright’s versatility has continued with Coventry City, floating out wide and using his physical abilities to pair nicely with his attacking teammates.
Aaronson, who has mainly featured more as a midfielder for Leeds United, could also feature out wide as a pressing attacker in the formation. Midfield is also an option for Aaronson.
Folarin Balogun, Ricardo Pepi, and Josh Sargent should all see opportunities at the No. 9 position this month. Balogun has struggled to find the back of the net so far, while Sargent has two goals for Norwich City and Pepi has two combined between PSV and Jong PSV.
I’d go with Sargent here and let Balogun and/or Pepi come off the bench.
Christian Pulisic remains one of the best attackers in CONCACAF and is important to how the USMNT want to attack. Pulisic has one goal and one assist so far for AC Milan and will be eager to add to his international numbers this window.
Similar to Aaronson, Pulisic could also drop into the midfield for possession before springing attacks upfield.
What do you think of our projected lineups? Which would you start? Who are you most excited to see play? Are there any doubts you have?
Share your thoughts below.
I am old enough to remember when Richards was a hot CB prospect at Bayern Munich. He hasn’t been good for a while now.
Is it too late for Man. U to steal Pochettino? I hope he wasn’t watching.
This team really misses Dest. I’ll say it again he has the skill, pace, and attitude this team needs and misses.
I think I know why Palace has brought in two additional CB. Ream with the give away but how does Richards not make the tackle with Musah holding him up.
I am old enough to remember when Richards was a hot CB prospect at Bayern Munich. He hasn’t been good for a while now.
Is it too late for Man. U to steal Pochettino? I hope he wasn’t watching.
This guy making Ivan Barton look like a world class ref. Cornelius fouled Balo and he gives Balo the yellow. If he didn’t have 2 handfuls of jersey he wouldn’t have gotten hit by the elbow. The offensive player has a right to turn.
Canada’s starting 11 is more athletic and more dynamic than ours is. It’s pretty obvious.
Same mentality that got them.bounced from the Copa. They legit look surprised Canada came out pressuring the ball and closing down space. When did this mentality creep in…. I think it crept in because they have won the Nations League 3 times. They think teams will respect them and stand off. The intensity continues to lack and the formation continues to be a negative style of a 4-3-3. Move your backs up more! So the team can squeeze space to the opposing team! It’s not difficult tactics!
Embarrassing first half. I don’t even know where to begin.
Need some speed and strength. Put in Cowell.
he was terrible in his minutes
Cowell’s calling card as a “secret weapon” seems to be athleticism and physicality.
Canada, for the most part, was bigger, faster , stronger and more athletic than what Cowell is used to facing.
Ironic.
Ream looking.like he did in the Copa America…. slow and constantly giving the ball away. Time to move on from him.
Why do these players look so bad on the national team?
Cardoso looks like he can’t even play the game.
A lot of weak men I see. Not one has tried to protect Pulisic. A lot of flopping and not getting stuck in.
Canada putting their best Central American team tactics. Yanking jerseys, kicking ankles, undercutting guys in the air. Ref doing nothing. Also not at all the reason Canada is ahead. Ahmed should have 6 yellows and it’s the 40th minute
Now time wasting in the first half. Classy Canada, classy!
If you know that’s how the game is going to played by the rwf then adjust and get stuck in
This team is playing like the hiring of Pochettino. We have the plan but we’re really not going anywhere.
you are spot on JR
-Johnny is really kind of bad at soccer. He’s showing Gyasi Zardes like first touches.
-Also Bombito is very good.
-This is the perfect ref for Canada if you get a slight touch on the ball it doesn’t matter if you had a handful of jersey and an arm wrapped around the neck.
Yeah Cardoso needs to be pulled.
Same stale 4-3-3. Neither back pushing forward, and providing numbers forward overloads.
This team.literally has no idea what they are doing. Nobody is making any runs. They are standing waiting for the ball to come to them. It’s farsicle at this point. Absolutely ridiculous.
What an absolute disgrace of a fan turn out. Time to put KC on the back burner for a couple years. Don’t give me it’s college football season.
18’: No way I’m paying $45 a pop to watch this garbage. No one seems to be interested in being there or aware that this is an audition for a new coach. Cardoso has been guilty of some terrible give-aways, and both Pulisic and Aaronson are constantly knocked off the ball. Same crap, different day.
Both Canada and USA played their this summer. They had Arrowhead nearly filled and loud this summer.
Line-up is out!!!! The dreaded Mikey Varas loving 4-3-3 of course lol
——–TILLMAN——-BALOGUN——PULISIC———
–
——-AARONSON—–MUSAH—–CARDOSO———
–
-HANSEN——–REAM——-RICHARDS—–SCALLY-
–
——————————SCHULTE—————————-
Lets see what happens……………GGGGOOOOOOOO USA!!!!!!!!!
Tillman should be at the 10. But at least he is on the field.
Juventus will scout three players during USA vs Canada friendly
“Tuttosport newspaper reports that Juventus will scout Jonathan David, Ricardo Pepi, and Malik Tillman during tonight’s friendly between the USA and Canada.
Juventus will keep a close eye on these three players during a friendly between the USA and Canada at the Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City tonight, according to a fresh report from Tuttosport newspaper”.
Hmmmm…….Mckennie and Weah paving the way for CONCACAF??? Lol, nice…….
Nice.
Gotta admit some real curiosity about this game. We can all pretty much guess which players will be out there, but how will we play? Finally free of Berhalter ball, will that show up in a more dynamic attacking game the way it did when BJ briefly took over and let the players play? Or will we look lost without a system to hold onto or any real leaders on the field? Speaking of which, can a player step up to run the game centrally where we should have an advantage? Who? Can CP orchestrate an attack or is he just a clinical finisher? Have a long day of driving to watch youth matches, and I am angering family members to get back by 4pm, so hopefully it’s worth it!
Tillman at the 10 now.
Has anyone else been watching the Women’s U20 WC? The USA has been pretty underwhelming. Needed a stoppage time goal to put them in position to advance with a draw against Paraguay. Of course we haven’t gotten out of the group the last two times so that would be an improvement.
Was I watching a different game? Just yesterday they beat Morocco 2-0. The second goal came at the last minute, but it wasn’t needed. They totally dominated Morocco, but Morocco got stellar play from their goalie and defenders. The US could have scored 1 or 2 more goals with any luck.
I just meant that the 96 minute goal put them up on Paraguay so a draw sees them second, at 1-0 Paraguay would have only needed a draw. The USA’s finishing and even their touches around the box were pretty poor. We had a lot of shots but we weren’t that troubling. I never felt we were in danger of losing but at half thought it might end a draw.
Roster update: Gio out. Cade in. Now what?
Yup….
“Borussia Dortmund’s Gio Reyna departs USMNT camp with groin injury, replaced by Chivas star Cade Cowell”
I agree with 2tone. Tillman to replace Reyna and maybe play Cowell the next game. Tillman was outstanding at PSV last year and seems to have started well this season.
Haha…..It has nothing to do with GB, MV is known for having the 4-3-3 as his preferred formation.
Mikey Varas
Nationality: United States
Avg. term as coach: 1.44 Years
Citizenship: United States / Chile
Holds a U.S. Soccer “A” Coaching License and a UEFA “B” Goalkeeping License
Preferred formation: 4-3-3 Attacking
So hopefully we will see players who are inform right now and doing well in their current positions in Europe.
Forwards:
—-Haji Wright(LW)—Josh Sargent(CF)—-Christian Pulisic (RW)——
I would take either Sarg (who is not fire like Haji) or Balo to start
Midfielders:
-Brenden Aaronson (LM)—Johnny Cardoso (CDM)—Yunus Musah (RM)—-
All are doing decent for their clubs (nothing to write about). The 4-3-3 has been proven to need a CDM (or a solid CM) to be successful
Defenders:
Caleb Wiley (LB)—–XXXX (CB)—-Chris Richards (CB)—Joe Scally (RB)
Not sure yet who XXXX should be…….
Goalkeeper:
No Matt Turner.
Usually without regular matches, GK’s struggle with the pace and intensity of the game, which leads to hesitation during critical moments (especially in the dyer periods of the game).
I would take either Sarg (who is ON fire like Haji)***
Thanks for that Bizzy, I had no idea Varas prefers 4-3-3. I want to see Richards and McKennzie paired at CB. Pepi and Balogun paired up top. Pulisic on right wing Aaaronson on left wing. Tillman and Cardoso paired in middle. Scally as RB and Wiley as LB. I want to see it in a 4-4-2 diamond or non diamond.
Nice comment Gary Page, I agree. That Player pool analysis is def important.
He used a 3-4-3 at the U20 WC but unless Poch wants that there’s no reason to change formation for 2 friendlies. Poch has used different formations but seems to prefer a 4-2-3-1. So I think either 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3.
Johnnyrazor, I just dont think 4-3-3 is our best formation imho, just want to see that real quick to see how it looks vs 4-3-3 GB use to use. I feel like we can keep up with top 10 if we do the 4-4-2. Cant get that Spain win in Confed cup out my head. It lives rent free in my head till this day, that performance was flawless victory, no Mortal combat.
now, he could pull something clever (and some of the pool are slashes who can play different spots), but what does a call sheet that breaks down as 8 backs, 6 mids, 6 forwards hint at?
also, while i am pro experiment, the program is generally risk averse, GB struggled with 3 back concepts, and you’d need the chutzpah or long termist bent to be willing to burn a canada game and perhaps take a loss, to try something. our history is if we get cute it’s something like northern ireland we do it for……in this case, new zealand.
no, it was with reason i beefed about the scheduling, as canada and mexico (and probably panama too) drives out a conservative “play to win” reflex at odds with implementing new ideas and personnel. the familiar names and roster allocations are meant for canada if nothing else. maybe also NZ to some degree though their relative weakness may encourage some degree of playtime. which is what this really needs.
His Preferred formation is 4-3-3 but executed the 3-4-3 based on The players he had and adaptability/ flexibility.
Mikey Varas:
“The first past: It’s about playing to your roster’s strengths. And at the same time seeing how you can exploit the opponent.
We felt that for the first game [vs. Ecuador] 3-4-3 was the right approach. The second game we felt 4-3-3 was going to be a more aggressive approach against Fiji. Then we felt to control the game against Slovakia, a 3-4-3 was the best bet.
Our biggest strength is our team culture, our second biggest strength is our ability to adapt and be flexible.”
With all the talk incessantly here about formations, there is often little analysis on what is best for our player pool. Since this is a friendly, I doubt it matters much, especially since the regular manager is not here, but we have a plethora of midfielders of near to equal ability and a bunch of attackers/wingers who can play that role or play outside midfielders. Consider, we have Pulisic who can play a lot of different places and even his club coach doesn’t know where to put him. Wright did well at striker at his club team, then put him on the wing. Pepi, Balogun, and Sargent who seem to be strikers and are hard to tell apart talent wise. Then there are guys like Aaronson and Tillman who are wingers or maybe midfielders or who knows what. Given all the uncertainty and players without fixed positions, I don’t think it matters so much whether we play a 4-4-2 or a 4-3-3. The real challenge is deciding what players to play and then deciding where to put them, since so many can play multiple positions.
Gary, I talk about it all the time
“Turner is the most experienced goalkeeper among the current four and should earn a chance to prove himself again.”
And again…. and again… But… why?
We already know what we know. The odds of learning something new are zero if we repeat the same’ol same’ol thing. This seems a lot like the inked in the lineup entitlement recently spoken of.
100%
When was the last time Turner had a great game, anywhere?
(Crickets)
He’s a liability with the ball at his feet. He gives up near-post goals and howlers. He doesn’t play competitive matches. He needs to earn his spot.
If I’m Jesse, I’m telling my players to put him under relentless pressure anytime he has the ball at his feet.
I’m not rooting against him, but this move to England was a disaster for his confidence.
DC Josh
“He gives up near-post goals and howlers. ”
It used to be some sort of law that a good keeper did not give up near post goals since the angle were so tight.
Yet I’m seeing an awful lot of near post goals being given up by some pretty good keepers. Just run through some you tube goal highlight compilations over the last few seasons.
So after Berhalther failed results, you all still calling for that lackluster 4-3-3 he stayed trotting out????? SMH🤦♂️! When if you look at USA’s best results, its been in a 4-4-2 diamond and non diamond.
We almost always drop into a 4-4-2 in defense. It’s just harder to get the attacking numbers that a modern possession team wants staying in a 4-4-2 in both phases. Poch, Gregg, and many managers want a 3-2-5 or 2-3-5 in the final third which gets a little hard because usually then your ten is the obvious fifth attacker but then who distributes. 4-4-2 is good counter attacking but counter attacking gets an upset. Possessing the ball and breaking down opponents with pace wins tournaments.
Was the formation or Gregg’s misunderstanding of how to use it that caused it to fail?
Of course JR that 4-3-3, allows to much crossing on the wings and look at how we got scored on in Copa and under GB. That Germany game when we were up 1-0 when puli scored and Germany kept crossing finding people scored 3 goals.
Striker, Germany didn’t score any of their three goals off crosses.
You dont know what your talking about look at the second Germany goal Musuala gets a cross then it gets passed to fulkrong who scores look at the second Germany goal!!!!!!!!! I SAID THEY CROSSED AND FOUND PEOPLE, WHEN DID I SAY THEY SCORED OFF A CROSS???? Of course you like to gaslight me. Please dont be a GB apologist its not fitting on you.
Striker, on the second goal he’s laying it off to the guy at the top of the box. I don’t consider that a cross because you’re not playing it on goal if you do that’s fine, I’m not gaslighting you we just differ on what we call that pass. Germany gets a little lucky that Dest deflects it but it still gets close enough. The US is in its 4-4-2 defensive shape when all this happens. Check Weah and Weston they are in line. Where the initial problem lies is CP doesn’t pressure Gundoghan enough for Musah’s liking who has found space between the lines. The defense doesn’t communicate and now instead of having four to cover four we only have three. At this same time Ream and Richards both track Fulkrig giving Musiala space at the top of the box for the cutback. Richards realizes and tries to recover but can’t get there, Luca gives a half hearted challenge but likely is worried about a foul dangerously close to the box. Scally appears asleep and loses Gosens who one times it Fulkrig who has gone from being tracked by both Ream and Richards to being tracked by neither and who is onside because Dest hasn’t stepped. There are lots of errors on the play by several players but they were in your 4-4-2 when all the problems started.
——————-
Also please notice my comment “ Was the formation or Gregg’s misunderstanding of how to use it that caused it to fail?” if the 4-3-3 is so awful why do hundreds of teams still use it? Or was Gregg just not good at organizing the guys in that formation. Legends like Klopp, Van Gaal, and Guardiola all prefer the 4-3-3 so it must not be inherently bad. France and England have preferred a 4-3-3 in their current runs. The game is so much more dynamic than 15 yrs ago teams formations are so fluid.
The third Germany goal was scored off a ground cross by Musuala, I know what I am talking about JR. We crashed out my high school final with that same thrash formation and system, we got punished on crosses just like USA on air crosses and ground crosses.
Regarding the Germany game, while Germany is not as dominant as it used to be, maybe we lost because they have better players? Also, I often see other teams who play together better than we do, especially when to comes to moving the ball quickly, moving into open spaces, and then making passes that find the open men. Colombia is a good example IMO.
hey Striker91, very rare we played one formational look with GB, whether throughout a game, or depending on where we were defending on the field (middle 3rd, final 3rd, etc.), or depending on opponent, tho the pressing came out of the
4 3 3
I see what your saying beachbum. I just feel like USA strength has always been counter attacking, 4-4-2 IMHO caters to that strength.
defend/counter fine with me if it suits the personnel, the matchup, etc.! we had LD, awesome at it, just awesome counter attacking player. before Davies crashed, I admit to some pretty high dreams of what the 2 of them were going to do up there together
Good plan, play the best lineup against a much stronger Canada. Then play the rest against a weaker New Zealand. Let the first team rest up for league play.
Joe Scally plays for the other Borussia (Moenchengladbach not Dortmund).
+1 Good catch
Haha you just don’t take a defensive minded left footed player and put him up top in attack, on the right side no less and expect him to be effective. That didn’t happen in Atlanta, and it hasn’t happened in Strasbourg ……..
” I was trying to create as much of a total new 11 as possible for match 2″
I get that though….
Atlanta used him as a straight LW a number of times and I think Varas did once or twice but maybe just a LWB for the U20s. ATL would put him up top with Gutman behind him as the LB. They put Caleb on the left so he could cross with his left foot to Giakoumakias. Calling Wiley defensive minded is pretty false. He’s in the mode of modern FB like Dest or Jedi, he can defend but he much prefers getting forward and being involved in the attack. If you want put him on the left with Aaronson on the right.
Dempsey scored most of his goals at Fulham playing a left midfielder. He would get the ball on the left, then drive inside for the right footed shot. It also helped, of course, that he was almost as adept with his left foot as he was with his right.
Yes, exactly if a players main role is to score they play on the opposite of their strong foot. If their prime role is setup others they play on the same side as their strong foot. Like Dempsey, CP can score with both feet so he plays on both right and left.
Columbus has a match with Seattle on Saturday. Both Nick Hagen and Schulte are on international duty. The third keeper is Evan Bush who has been injured since June. That leaves Romero that The Crew just signed three weeks ago. I could see Schulte being released to play for Columbus Saturday and then return for New Zealand. Of course maybe that’s just the hope of a Crew fan. No Moreira, Cucho, Hagen, Schulte, or Farsi. At least Jesse let us have Russell-Rowe.
It’s crazy MLS still isn’t on board respecting international windows, I mean there are enough internationals in MLS now that these games are severely watered down.
Leagues Cup. You can’t pause your season for three weeks in summer and have enough dates to take off international windows. USMNT saw what happens when you try to play in Minnesota in Winter.
I want to see more of Tillman at the 10.
I don’t have a problem with this starting lineup, as long as wholesale changes happen for NZ.
New Zealand Lineup
Aaronson-Balo-Wiley
Morris-Malik-Luca
Lund-Ream-McKenzie-Fossey
————-Schulte or Kochen———
There’s no reason to play the regulars more than 120 minutes over the course of two matches.
Wiley plays on the left (LB*/LM/LW)
Yes but as a left footed player if you put him in an attacking role he’ll go to the right side to cut in on his left foot. Like Paredes playing RW during the Olympics. I was trying to create as much of a total new 11 as possible for match 2 but with only 3 wings it was either play Caleb as W as the only double starter or play Sarge or Pepi as a W.