The U.S. men’s national team’s quest of reaching the CONCACAF Nations League semifinals gets underway on Thursday in Kingston.
Mauricio Pochettino’s men face off with Jamaica in the first leg of the two-legged quarterfinal series. It will mark the first competitive matches for the USMNT under Pochettino, as they seek to repeat as tournament winners next Spring.
Folarin Balogun, Tyler Adams, Josh Sargent, Haji Wright, and Cameron Carter-Vickers might be among the absentees from the squad, but Pochettino will still have plenty of top players to choose from.
Christian Pulisic, Ricardo Pepi, Antonee Robinson, and Aidan Morris are among the in-form players in the squad while Weston McKennie, Yunus Musah, and Cade Cowell also aim to be in the starting lineup.
Tim Weah, who is riding a strong run of form, is suspended for the first leg following his red card against Panama in last summer’s Copa America.
Jamaica, who is unbeaten under new manager Steve McLaren, haven’t beaten the USMNT since 2019. The Reggae Boyz will certainly bring speed and physicality to the mix as they seek an upset win at home.
With the USMNT hoping to put one foot into the CONCACAF Nations League semifinals, here is the starting lineup we would deploy against Jamaica on Thursday:
GOALKEEPER
Who should start: Matt Turner
Matt Turner has only featured once for Crystal Palace since arriving on a season-long loan spell from Nottingham Forest. However, he still remains the USMNT’s No. 1 option at goalkeeper.
Turner will certainly face competition from Zack Steffen and Patrick Schulte this window, but expect the veteran shot-stopper to retain his starting spot.
DEFENDERS
Who should start: Joe Scally, Tim Ream, Mark McKenzie, Antonee Robinson
Antonee Robinson and Joe Scally are the USMNT’s top two full back options while Sergino Dest remains sidelined.
Robinson is enjoying a productive first half of the season with EPL side Fulham, most recently helping the Cottagers to back-to-back London Derby victories. The left back remains the best option for Pochettino at the position and the No. 2 in CONCACAF behind Alphonso Davies.
Scally has continued chugging along with Borussia Moenchengladbach, seeing minutes mainly at right back. With Dest out through the rest of the calendar year, expect to see Scally in both matches, bearing any injury.
Centerback remains up for grabs in the USMNT squad and SBI went with a mix of options against Jamaica. Tim Ream remains a veteran leader in the squad and has played against many of Jamaica’s forwards in the past.
Paired with the versatile Mark McKenzie, I expect the USMNT to stand strong against the Reggae Boyz’s dynamic attack.
Chris Richards is back in camp, but after only recently returning to the Crystal Palace squad from injury, I don’t expect him to feature in the first leg.
Auston Trusty hasn’t relinquished his spot in the Celtic starting lineup after joining from Sheffield United. However, the tall centerback might have to wait for his chance to impress Pochettino later in this window.
MIDFIELDERS
Who should start: Yunus Musah, Weston McKennie, Brenden Aaronson
Tyler Adams is not in the USMNT squad, but expect to see familiar faces leading the way for Pochettino.
Yunus Musah and Weston McKennie have grown into a strong 1-2 pair alongside one another. Both have delivered important performances at times for the USMNT and at club level this season.
With the USMNT aiming to dictate the tempo against Jamaica, Musah and McKennie will be tasked with holding possession and dominating against their CONCACAF counterparts.
Brenden Aaronson brings familiarity to the mix and is known for his tireless running and pressing of opposing defenders. Aaronson also has been able to find pockets of space in-and-around the 18-yard box, making it tough for opponents to defend him for 90 minutes.
Malik Tillman, Aidan Morris and Johnny Cardoso will all be seeking opportunities as they ride individual good runs of form into camp. Expect to see them off the bench in some fashion over the two legs.
FORWARDS
Who should start: Cade Cowell, Ricardo Pepi, Christian Pulisic
The absences of Folarin Balogun, Josh Sargent, and Haji Wright will open the door for Ricardo Pepi to start at the No. 9 position on Thursday.
Pepi has enjoyed a strong start with PSV, scoring goals in multiple competitions, and also fending off club legend Luuk De Jong at times. Normally known for his super-substitute abilities, Pepi should get the nod over Brandon Vazquez at the No. 9 on Thursday.
Christian Pulisic’s form has calmed a bit at AC Milan but it won’t stop him from being a key attacker for the USMNT. Pulisic’s playmaking and goalscoring abilities will certainly be on Jamaica’s to-do list to stop.
Expect to see Pulisic out wide left as he continues to play a leading role for the attacking unit.
Cade Cowell and Alex Zendejas will challenge for opportunities at right wing, especially with Tim Weah suspended for the first leg. Cowell’s verticality gives him an edge over Zendejas at this time.
Vazquez’s inclusion comes due to the injuries to Wright and Sargent. The physical striker could be used off the bench against a tiring Jamaica backline, but I don’t expect him to edge Pepi for the starting job this time.
The USMNT should have more than enough attacking threats to get past Jamaica, but a bunkered down backline could make it tough for the Americans to run away with either leg.
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.
With the selection of multiple CBs, I think Poch indicated he sees that as a weak spot for the USMNT. I see selecting the key starters at CB the highest priority as he builds the team. Since defensive mistakes most often happen late in the game it takes a tull 90 (or more) to see who has the required attention span and endurance.
Right now my choices would come down to Trusty, Richards and CCV. But with Miles Robinson, McKenzie, Ream, Zimmerman and maybe a precocious defender just now coming up there is a lot to sort through.
No matter whom he choses, that pairing and an alternate or two need ample games together before the WC.
Agree CB is high priority. If Richards is healthy he is our top CB. CCV should be in there but he has just not played well for USMNT despite several chances, at this point it’s fair to ask if he just isn’t quite up to international level. We haven’t really tried Trusty yet. All the others have real flaws defensively, so it’s understandable (for me at least) why we keep going back to Ream. If we’re playing a flawed CB, it might as well be the most experienced one that is the best passer, the cleanest on the ball, and is most often in the right position.
You have Henry Kessler, Jayden Neal, Noahkai Banks, Noah Allen (More suited for 3 man backline), and Noah Cobb
Our midfield in a nutshell…….
AC Milan beat Real Madrid with Pulisic playing RW and Musah RM
PSV thumped Girona with Tillman playing LM
Juventus tied Inter and Parma with McKennie playing ACM
in a 4-3-3 formation
—–Cowell——Pepi——-Pulisic—-
–
—Tillman—-Mckennie—Musah—
–
Jedi—-Ream—–McKenzie–Scally
–
—————Turner———————–
–
–
in the Pochetttino preferred formation 4-2-3-1
–
——————–Pepi——————-
–
—Tillman—-Pulisic—-Musah——
–
——-Tessmann—-McKennie——
–
Jedi—-Ream—–McKenzie–Scally
–
—————Turner———————–
–
Would love to see Brandon, Vasques Cade Cowell and Alex Zendejas too!!!!
Lets go!!!
For what I think Poch wants:
(4-2-3-1, that turns into a 3-4-2-1 in possession.)
Vasquez
Pulisic – Aaronson – Zendejas
McKennie – Tessmann
Jedi – Ream – McKenzie – Musah (or Weah)
Steffen
I think there’s a reason Pochettino only brought two outside backs and IMHO it’s because he doesn’t really use pure fullbacks. If he deploys like he did at PSG and Tottenham, what you’ll see is that 4-2-3-1 he so prefers, but in possession you’ll see the fullbacks turn into wingbacks to provide width. One of his 6’s – the better long-passer – will then drop back between the two CB’s as a third ball-playing CB – while the other (in this case, very likely Weston McKennie though I could see Busio) acts as a shuttler. (Tessmann fits the deep-lying, ball-playing 6 role the best, IMHO.) Up top he wants a guy who’s physical, can play with his back to goal, and is a relentless presser…which again, would seem to fit Vasquez, and underneath the 9 you’ll see three tucked-in guys – IMHO, Pulisic and Aaronson almost for sure, and I’d stare hard at Zendejas as the third – who can play in tight areas, combine, and interchange.
Of course, Poch may be reading the pool entirely differently, but if he does what we’ve seen him do in the past with PSG and Tottenham, it’ll be some variation of that.
I also still think Pochettino may be a whole lot higher on Steffen than many folks believe. No other keeper in the pool is really close to Steffen and his comfort on the ball…and his distribution, which can launch instant counter-attacks several different ways. Steffen can’t just fling it a mile, he also has the ability to drop a ball 80 yards down the field into open space if it’s there, and that ability to bypass not just the midfield but the entire other team is HUGE to Pochettino. If Steffen can convince Pochettino he’s not a psychological train wreck, I could legit see Poch starting him.
Full strength., whatever lineup that is. Steve McClaren is recruiting dual nationals eligible for Jamaica and England. The fire power, they can unleash on USMNT is alarming.
Who else is out there for them besides Greenwood?
Michail Antonio suspended for the first leg, I also believe Bobby Reid is out due the expected birth of his child
Recruiting these guys is nothing new. Keeping them happy in a dysfunctional/corrupt/poor Fed is another story. However, with the very real possibility they can/will qualify for a WC it should help them get a few of these guys, and keep them……at least for the short run.
I used to know Theodore Whitmore well in NY. Talked to him, and emailed quite a bit over the next decade after 98.
The players they had or could get were never the issue…….all about the Fed. Drove players away in droves.
Bailey is back, Issacc Hayden CB/CDM from Newcastle, Antonio, Cordovo Reid, Pinnock several Championship players and some decent MLS players.
Again, I know the players. With the WC carrot this is their best chance to keep them engaged. If not now…..when? It‘s long term that has always been the issue. When these English guys are very half hearted about committing full time, or do not like their treatment/unprofessional Fed, is when problems arise. Then it becomes the old debate/argument….guys who care versus talented guys. This is their window to make it work.
Bailey may be back but what happens when things aren‘t going well, affects his club play, etc? I know for a fact that Bailey is a problem for them, but a necessary one. Many of the English guys waiver when things get tough. This is it. WC spot for the taking. If not now when? Wish them well.
I agree, nice comment TK.
TK,
“Many of the English guys waiver when things get tough. ”
Maybe that’s because they are English.
Not Jamaican.
Thanks for your insights. I hate the USSF but it is not the worst FA in the world. Not when you have Jamaica, Ghana and others like that out there.
If they had had a decent FA Jamaica has long had enough pure eligible talent to at least be up there in CONCACAF with the US and El Tri.
But obviously most of them remain unimpressed by what the Jamaican FA has to offer.