USMNT Vs Canada: 5 key players to watch – DeAndre Yedlin returns

1. Deandre Yedlin

DeAndre Yedlin returns to the national team as one of the players who was present last month in Canada and thus will be expected to improve this time around. He should provide a much-needed sense of calm and confidence on the right flank, and, fresh off scoring a big equalizing goal on the weekend, should be poised to make an impact at both ends of the pitch.

The only thing is, it is still unclear how exactly Berhalter will deploy Yedlin in his system. Last month, Yedlin was ployed as a tradition right-back. However, depending on how Berhalter decides to line up, we could see Yedlin play as a right-winger and drop behind the right full-back (Tyler Adams when healthy or Reggie Cannon/Nick Lima) to provide defensive coverage when they overlap. Additionally, we could also see Yedlin play on the right-wing in front of a back three which would require more involvement in attack than a usual right-back role.

Yedlin’s versatility is a huge asset for Berhalter, but it also makes it hard to predict exactly where we will see the wing-back/midfielder. Further, despite Yedlin’s flurries of runs early on in the match last month, he was partly at fault for not tracking back and is susceptible defensively.

On Friday, Yedlin will look for more consistency and steadiness in his defensive duties as he looks to become a leader in Berhalter’s side. He is a huge individual for the USMNT. They need him to stand up and be counted.