The U.S. men’s national team will take on Belgium this Saturday night in Atlanta and with this being the squad’s latest chance to impress against a top European side, expect them not to sit back at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Mauricio Pochettino has plenty of his first-choice players available for the match including Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, and Antonee Robinson. Chris Richards, Johnny Cardoso, and Tim Weah will also be fighting for opportunities while several others such as Gio Reyna, Aidan Morris, and Ricardo Pepi are also among the options for Pochettino to consider.
Belgium will be down several of their star players including Romelu Lukaku and Leandro Trossard, but Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku will be there to lead the way.
With the USMNT seeking a statement result against Belgium, here is the starting lineup that we believe should start:
GOALKEEPER
Who should start: Matt Freese
Matt Freese remains the USMNT’s No. 1 goalkeeper and bearing injury or fitness issues, I can’t see that changing this close to tournament time.
DEFENDERS
Who should start: Tim Weah, Joe Scally, Chris Richards, Tim Ream, Antonee Robinson.
Pochettino has enjoyed playing with three center backs and two wing backs during his time as head coach and I expect that to continue against Belgium.
Tim Weah has racked up the minutes at right back/right wing back for Marseille and with Sergino Dest sidelined, Weah gives the USMNT their best chance at the position. Weah’s ability to get upfield is vital and he has also improved overall as a defender in France this season.
With Weah out wide, Joe Scally looks most likely to tuck in next to the two leading center backs; Chris Richards and Tim Weam. Scally could also play at the right wing back position, but keeping him as a defender allows the more-dangerous Weah to make advancements upfield.
Richards and Ream remain the USMNT’s No. 1-2 center backs and similar to Freese, I don’t see them dropping out of the XI. With Romelu Lukaku out of the squad, I think they should have a fairly easy time against Belgium’s attack.
Antonee Robinson looks set for his first USMNT start since 2024 as he tries to rack up form and minutes before the World Cup. Robinson is expected to see some time during this camp, which is vital for his final two months of the season with Fulham.
Despite Max Arfsten’s positive 2025, Robinson remains the No. 1 candidate at left back/wing back going forward.
HOLDING MIDFIELDERS
Who should start: Johnny Cardoso, Aidan Morris
Two of the more in-form midfielders should see starts next to one another against Belgium.
Johnny Cardoso and Aidan Morris have impressed over recent weeks with their clubs and will provide defensive coverage in front of the USMNT’s backline. Morris’ versatility has boosted his stock in recent weeks and I expect him to play a defensive role to allow the USMNT’s attacking pieces to move upfield.
Cardoso has started to play a more consistent role again for Atletico Madrid and should see a start in this window. This might be his last chance to impress before the World Cup and providing coverage in the heart of the field is his best position.
Tanner Tessmann, Cristian Roldan, and Sebastian Berhalter are also options, but I like Cardoso and Morris to get the nod based off their rising form at club level.
ATTACKING MIDFIELDERS
Who Should Start: Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie
The USMNT’s defensive coverage should allow for Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie to shine against Belgium.
Pulisic enters camp fresh off his first goal contribution of 2026, which is a key sign going forward. Pochettino’s shift to a three-center back backline means that Pulisic can return to an attacking midfield role, a theme that should continue going forward.
Weston McKennie has been one of the best American players this European season and his return is vitally important. McKennie’s versatility has continued to be on display at Juventus but putting him in a central midfield role means that him and Pulisic will link up to create chances.
I expect McKennie’s engine and Pulisic’s creativity to be one of the USMNT’s strengths against Belgium.
Gio Reyna, Brenden Aaronson, and Malik Tillman are also options in this role and all three could feature off of the bench.
STRIKER
Who should start: Folarin Balogun
The USMNT’s No. 9 race will be fun to watch going forward and right now it’s Folarin Balogun’s to lose.
Balogun has been on a blistering run in 2026 with Ligue 1 side Monaco, entering camp on a four-match scoring run at club level. The shifty American forward ended his 2025 on a high note with the USMNT, scoring in three-consecutive windows, and will be among the candidates to score on Saturday.
Balogun is the total package in terms of his physicality, versatility, and speed, making him tough to keep on the bench this weekend.
Ricardo Pepi and Patrick Agyemang will get their chances, but for now, I think it’s Balogun time in the XI.
What do you think of our projected lineup? Who are you most excited to see play? Are there any doubts you have?
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