USMNT: Predicting the Starting XI for the 1/28 match
The USMNT revealed the 30-man roster for the January camp ahead of the Bosnia and Herzegovina friendly on 1/28. A prediction of the starting XI that day.
As expected interim-USMNT head coach Dave Sarachan called in a roster full of youth, primarily from MLS. Given the January camp takes place outside of an approved FIFA international window, clubs are not required to release players. As such, European stars like Christian Pulisic were never going to be included. But even at home, FC Dallas elected not to allow goalkeeper Jesse Gonzalez and defensive midfielder Kellyn Acosta be eligible.
Here is a look at the full roster, broken down by position from USsoccer.com:
"U.S. ROSTER BY POSITION (Club; Caps/Goals):GOALKEEPERS (4): Alex Bono (Toronto FC/CAN; 0/0), Bill Hamid (Midtjylland/DEN; 4/0), Cody Cropper (New England Revolution; 0/0), Zack Steffen (Columbus Crew SC; 0/0)DEFENDERS (9): Danny Acosta (Real Salt Lake, 0/0), Justen Glad (Real Salt Lake, 0/0), Nick Lima (San Jose Earthquakes; 0/0), Justin Morrow (Toronto FC/CAN; 3/0), Ike Opara (Sporting Kansas City, 0/0), Tim Parker (Vancouver Whitecaps FC/CAN;0/0), Matt Polster (Chicago Fire, 0/0), Brandon Vincent (Chicago Fire; 1/0), Walker Zimmerman (Los Angeles Football Club; 1/0)MIDFIELDERS (11): Tyler Adams (New York Red Bulls; 1/0), Paul Arriola (D.C. United; 15/2), Russell Canouse (D.C. United; 0/0), Marky Delgado (Toronto FC/CAN, 0/0), Marlon Hairston (Colorado Rapids; 0/0), Ian Harkes (D.C. United; 0/0), Brooks Lennon (Real Salt Lake; 0/0), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders FC; 1/0), Kelyn Rowe (New England Revolution; 3/1), Wil Trapp (Columbus Crew SC; 2/0), Gyasi Zardes (LA Galaxy; 37/6)FORWARDS (6): Juan Agudelo (New England Revolution; 27/3), Dom Dwyer (Orlando City SC; 4/2), Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders FC; 24/5), Christian Ramirez (Minnesota United FC; 0/0), Rubio Rubin (Unattached; 4/0), CJ Sapong (Philadelphia Union; 3/0)"
Open Competition at Defense
Unlike in past years, the national team will only have one match in which to test some of these new faces. On January 28th the USMNT will face Bosnia and Herzegovina in Carson, CA at the StubHub Center. The youth is especially noticeable on the defensive side. Bill Hamid is the only keeper of the four with national team experience. At defender, Justin Morros is the most senior man – with 3 caps.
With plenty of time until the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup, this is the perfect chance to claim a spot in the full senior camp. Before they report in, here is an early look at predicting the starting XI:
Goalkeeper: Bill Hamid. Steffan and Bono had great years, but Hamid starts as the #1 as the USMNT moves away from the Howard/Guzan/Rimando era.
Right-Back: Justin Morrow.
Centerbacks: Ike Opara & Tim Parker. Although there are many solid pairings you could make from this group.
Left-Back: Danny Acosta.
Defensive Midfielders (2): Cristian Roldan & Wil Trapp
Attacking Midfielders (3): Paul Arriola, Brooks Lennon & Tyler Adams
Striker: Jordan Morris. I could see almost anyone from this group getting the start. Sapong had a great season, as did Ramirez in his MLS debut campaign. However, after a bumpy 2017, I could see Sarachan giving Morris the nod to lead this young attack. Morris at 23, is the youngest striker outside of Rubin (21).
An interesting caveat is that MLS clubs in the CONCACAF Champions League will report to camp by the end of January. Which means players from Seattle (Morris / Roldan), Toronto (Morrow, Bono, Delgado), New York Red Bulls (Adams), and Colorado (Harriston) could get pulled before the Bosnia and Herzegovina match.
Next: Expansion: A look at 25+ clubs joining US soccer leagues in 2018
Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below or on Twitter at @MLSMultiplex. Who gets into your starting XI?