USMNT: Best XI for 2020

Attack

Wingers

We’ll start with the right side as this is the most unsettled position, perhaps in the entire starting XI. Berhalter has experimented with many different options here with middling results. Tyler Boyd, Corey Baird, Jeremy Ebobisse, and Paul Arriola are just a few of the names who have attempted to take one of the wide midfield slots.

However, late in the 2019 calendar year, one player really shined for both the USMNT and his club, Jordan Morris. Both in MLS and internationally, Morris was influential in every match scoring, setting up, and providing a high-level work rate. While perhaps not the most technically savvy, the Seattle forward can play on either wing and even through the middle, his positional versatility making him very difficult to mark as he drifts throughout the pitch with powerful, pacy movement off the ball.

The other side is obviously going to be Christian Pulisic. Again, I believe it is the job of a national team coach to best position his players to maximize their talent. For Pulisic, that means playing on the left and creating from a wide area. This is where the USMNT star is finding success for Chelsea on a club level, so I see no reason why changing would be something that is wise. Additionally, with Pulisic’s penchant for cutting infield, it gives interesting overlapping possibilities for Dest.

Striker

To round out the USMNT Best XI, Jozy Altidore is leading the line. Sure, he is never healthy when you need him, but at this moment, he is the best striker in the pool. That won’t always be the case with Josh Sargent coming through, but at only 19, he is simply not there yet. I also don’t want this confused, I would love to see Sargent take the majority to of the caps this year over Altidore, but for a one-off match, the third all-time leading scorer for the USMNT must play.

So there you have it. The USMNT Best XI for 2020 for a one-off, must-win match. I am sure there won’t be any arguments whatsoever.