The U.S. men’s national team’s October window will come to a close on Tuesday night in Colorado.
Mauricio Pochettino’s squad closes their two-match window against Australia at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. After a comeback 1-1 draw with Ecuador on Friday, the Americans will seek to end their penultimate window of 2025 with a victory.
Several players enjoyed positive performances against Ecuador including Folarin Balogun, Tanner Tessmann, and Weston McKennie. Christian Pulisic featured off of the bench and should be among those pushing to start in Commerce City.
Alex Zendejas will not take part in the match after departing club due to a knee injury, Pochettino confirmed postmatch on Friday. Zendejas entered camp on a strong run of form, but will be missed from the squad on Tuesday night.
Antonee Robinson is also unavailable for the USMNT, opening the door for Max Arfsten to start against at left back.
With the USMNT seeking a win against Australia, here is the starting lineup that we believe should start:
GOALKEEPER
Who should start: Matt Freese
While Matt Turner and others will be pushing to start, Matt Freese has done little to lose his starting spot. Freese was rarely tested in Friday’s match, making one save against the Ecuadorians.
DEFENDERS
Who should start: Alex Freeman, Chris Richards, Tim Ream, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Max Arfsten.
Although Pochettino will want to send every player back to their clubs fit, he will also want to keep some continuity in his backline.
Tim Weah got the start as a right wing back on Friday, but Alex Freeman came off the bench and featured against Ecuador. I’d expect Freeman to get the starting nod on Tuesday, especially to get him more reps with the first-team bunch.
Chris Richards and Tim Ream look to be the USMNT’s No. 1-2 center backs right now and I don’t expect that to change against Australia. Richards had one struggling moment against Enner Valencia on Friday but other than that, delivered a solid shift.
Ream rarely put a foot wrong in the match and continues to bring veteran experience to the mix.
It will be interesting to see how Pochettino goes with his third centerback, but after Miles Robinson and Mark McKenzie both played against Ecuador, expect Cameron Carter-Vickers to get a chance.
Max Arfsten took Antonee Robinson’s place on Friday and it looks like the Columbus Crew defender will likely start again this week. Robinson not being at 100% fitness opens the door for Arfsten to earn more crucial minutes under Pochettino.
MIDFIELDERS
Who should start: James Sands, Malik Tillman, Diego Luna
Keeping Malik Tillman in the starting lineup is a must for the USMNT.
Tillman set up the USMNT’s only goal against Ecuador and overall looks to be finding his footing with the squad. His creativity and final-third abilities make him a top option to start in the front of the USMNT’s midfield.
Rotation may come in with James Sands and Diego Luna entering the XI.
Sands has enjoyed a positive start to the Bundesliga season with St. Pauli and overall should provide a defensive presence in front of the backline. With Sands holding that position, Diego Luna could team up with Tillman to create chances in the offensive-third.
Luna had some positive moments and Ecuador but will seek to turn those into goals or assists on Tuesday.
Aidan Morris, Cristian Roldan, Brenden Aaronson, and Tanner Tessmann are also options for Pochettino to consider and I’d expect most of them to feature off of the bench.
FORWARDS
Who should start: Weston McKennie, Folarin Balogun, Christian Pulisic
Alex Zendejas’ departure from USMNT camp limits the amount of offensive options for Pochettino to consider.
Folarin Balogun is a must-start after finding the back of the net against Ecuador. With two goals in his last two appearances, the Monaco forward could add to his streak with a strong outing against Australia.
Balogun’s hold-up play and relentless work rate puts him ahead of Haji Wright and Patrick Agyemang for the starting job right now.
Christian Pulisic came off the bench on Friday, but should start at left wing against Australia. Pulisic remains the leading man for the USMNT’s attack long-term and teaming him with Balogun could pose consistent problems for Australia’s backline.
Weston McKennie’s versatility has led Pochettino to use him up higher in his formation and that trend could continue Tuesday. McKennie looks to have improved his fitness and moving him higher upfield could allow the USMNT to pack more creative options in the heart of their midfield.
Haji Wright, Tim Weah, and Patrick Agyemang could also see time if needed.
What do you think of our projected lineup? Who are you most excited to see play? Are there any doubts you have?
Share your thoughts below.
I would say put Mckennie back with Tessman start Pulisic and Jedi if Jedi is good. Other than that same formation. Maybe Mckenzie for Miles.
Before even speculating on a lineup the questions that need to be asked are:
1) Will Pochettino use the same formation?
2) Will he use a lineup that builds off of the momentum from the game vs Ecuador?
3) Or will he rotate his players?
So Jedi is ruled out. How worried should we be for his knee for next summer? Obviously the kid needs to worry about things for now and the future and I am being selfish.
In regard to the proposed SBI line-up, why would Poch experiment with a different line-up in this window? He had last window to experiment. He should try to be consistent here. I am assuming no other injuries or issues.
He might try another center-back in a back 3, but why not let Miles Robinson try again? Other than the individual goal by Valencia that Chris Richards tried to cover, I don’t recall any other glaring mistakes.
Switch Mckennie and Tillman
If Poch uses Larry’s lineup, I think it’s a sign Poch does not like Wes’s skill set in that deeper position.