USMNT: Top 3 central midfielders for 2022 World Cup qualifying

1. Tyler Adams

Bar Christian Pulisic, Tyler Adams is the USMNT’s best player. Some may argue in favour of Weston McKennie, who is currently playing more regularly in the same Bundesliga that Adams competes in. Others still might highlight Jordan Morris or one of the old guard, but in reality, Adams has potential that saws above all of them.

His injury record is, of course, problematic. After playing eight games for the USMNT in 2018, he made only one international appearance in 2019. And those injuries have stented his development at RB Leipzig somewhat, not affording him a consistent run of starts under Julian Nagelsmann. Nevertheless, he has the perfect skill set to flourish in the modern game.

Amazingly athletic, he is a tough tackler, reads the game superbly, presses relentlessly, timing his charges to the ball to cut off passing angles. He is a neat and tidy passer, a direct and brutish dribbler, if sometimes lacking nuance, and he recognises space superbly, in and out of possession.

For the USMNT, he is the perfect holding midfielder: a destructive presence without the ball and a progressive one with. Gregg Berhalter would be wise to build his midfield around Adams.