United States national team: Projecting the starters for the Gold Cup
The roster is set for the United States national team for the group stages of the CONCACAF Gold Cup. Now, head coach Gregg Berhalter has to piece together the roster.
And with a young group, it won’t be easy for Berhalter to put together a Starting XI from this inexperienced United States national team roster that won’t have some significant questions.
More from MLS Multiplex
- Javier Milei Elected in Argentina: Potential Impacts on MLS and Signings of Argentine Players
- Orlando City and New York City FC in the Battle for Matías Arezo; Grêmio Enters Negotiations! Who Will Come Out on Top?
- USA, Honduras, Panama, and Canada Close in on a Spot in the 2024 Copa America
- De Gea Turns Down Al-Nassr’s Lucrative Offer: Speculation Points to Possible Reunion with Messi at Inter Miami
- Messi’s Magnetic Impact in the United States
But here we are, ready to help and offer our advice to help the United States national team win the CONCACAF Gold Cup. The lineup is a 4-3-3 but, given the roster selection, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see a fluid 4-4-2 trotted out for a couple of matches.
The projected Starting XI for the United States national team in this Gold Cup, a tournament last won in 2017.
GOALKEEPERS: Brad Guzan (Atlanta United; 64/0), Sean Johnson (New York City FC; 9/0), Matt Turner (New England Revolution; 1/0)
GOALKEEPER OUTLOOK: With 64 appearances for the United States national team, Guzan is the senior statesman of this group and should get a run of matches. That doesn’t mean that New York City FC’s Johnson and New England Revolution’s Turner shouldn’t get a run, but Guzan is likely making a bid to be the third goalkeeper in Qatar next year.
Turner is very intriguing, giving his MLS form with the Revolution and could emerge as the backup once the group stages are over.
PROJECTED STARTER: Guzan
DEFENDERS: George Bello (Atlanta United; 1/0), Reggie Cannon (Boavista/POR; 18/1), Shaq Moore (Tenerife/ESP; 5/0), Donovan Pines (D.C. United; 0/0), Miles Robinson (Atlanta United; 3/1), James Sands (New York City FC; 0/0), Sam Vines (Colorado Rapids; 3/0), Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC; 14/2)
DEFENDERS OUTLOOK: There are eight players named to the roster by Berhalter who are defenders, and some questions need to be answered from this group. The loss of centerback Aaron Long to injury means that there is a chance for one central defender to emerge from this group and perhaps stake a significant role for World Cup qualifying this fall. There is also the need for depth at left back.
The 19-year old Bello’s ability to overlap and athleticism coupled with his ability to cover ground makes him a very interesting prospect at left back for the United States national team. The centerback situation seems a bit obvious with Zimmerman and Robinson the best of the bunch.
PROJECTED STARTERS: George Bello, Walker Zimmerman, Miles Robinson, Reggie Cannon
MIDFIELDERS: Kellyn Acosta (Colorado Rapids; 31/2), Gianluca Busio (Sporting Kansas City; 0/0), Sebastian Lletget (LA Galaxy; 24/7), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders; 20/0), Eryk Williamson (Portland Timbers; 0/0), Jackson Yueill (San Jose Earthquakes; 12/0)
MIDFIELDERS OUTLOOK: In a three-man midfield, it is a lock that Lletget gets the nod, given his recent form and starting role in the recent Nations League, won by the United States. Behind him, it makes the most sense to run Acosta, who also was a major factor in the Nations League. However, partnering alongside Acosta is one of the more intriguing competitions of this Gold Cup.
Yueill seems to be a Berhalter favorite but has struggled in recent international matches, including Olympic qualifying. Busio is promising but a bit more offensive minded than is needed in this role. Williamson has been tremendous for Portland this year and has the kind of upside that could land him in Qatar for the World Cup next year.
PROJECTED STARTERS: Lletget, Acosta, Williamson
FORWARDS: Paul Arriola (D.C. United; 35/8), Daryl Dike (Orlando City; 3/1), Nicholas Gioacchini (Caen/FRA; 3/2), Matthew Hoppe (Schalke/GER; 0/0), Jonathan Lewis (Colorado Rapids; 7/2), Gyasi Zardes (Columbus Crew; 56/12)
FORWARDS OUTLOOK: There is a lack of wide players in this group which is discouraging. Zardes is the second-most capped player after Guzan and deserves a long look to see if he can factor into World Cup qualifying. On one side, it seems that Arriola can and will be the consensus starter to provide some width. Opposite him is a bit of a question.
Lewis has been good in a super sub role for the national team but a little less impactful as a starter. Perhaps Hoppe, who has good pace and athleticism, can get a look at some point in the tournament.
The central pivot up top can and should be Daryl Dike, who needs national team minutes to get ready for qualifiers this fall. Zardes and Arriola should be the wide players unless Berhalter sees Busio out wide in a more advanced role. It’s an intriguing possibility.
PROJECTED STARTERS: Arriola, Dike, Zardes
PROJECTED STARTING XI: Guzan, Bello, Zimmerman, Robinson, Cannon, Williamson, Acosta, Lletget, Arriola, Dike, Zardes
Follow Kristian Dyer of ‘MLS Multiplex’ on Twitter @KristianRDyer