USMNT: Top 3 attacking midfielders for 2022 World Cup qualifying

USA's Tyler Boyd (R) embraces teammate Weston McKennie after McKennie scored a goal in the first half during the CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinal football match between USA and Curacao in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on June 30, 2019. (Photo by DOMINICK REUTER / AFP) (Photo credit should read DOMINICK REUTER/AFP/Getty Images) /

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GELSENKIRCHEN, GERMANY – JANUARY 21: (BILD ZEITUNG OUT) Weston McKennie of Schalke controls the ball during the FC Schalke 04 training Session on January 21, 2020 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images) /

1. Weston McKennie

Weston McKennie is not a natural attacking midfielder. Unlike Reyna and Aaronson who are more nuanced and creative, McKennie leans on his athleticism, energy, tenacity, and controlled rather than especially creative passing. He is also more suited in a slightly deeper role.

While McKennie is an extremely intelligent and spatially aware player, with the ability to play in various role across the midfield, he is best in an all-action box-to-box role where his athleticism comes to the fore and he can make late runs into the penalty area — he has a wonderful goalscoring knack for a midfielder.

McKennie will turn 22 this summer. He is already a regular for Schalke and has six goals in 19 international caps. David Wagner has gotten the best out of him this season, curtailing his wilder side and harnessing his aggressive energy in a more positive and reserved manner.

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The archetypal number eight is already a crucial piece in Gregg Berhalter’s system. And if the USMNT feature a 4-3-3 during qualifying, McKennie can play the offensive box-to-box role to a tee. He is the present and future of the American midfield, and sits atop our rankings as a result.

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