What should USMNT’s starting grid be for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar?
Keep going, keep thinking. You are almost there. Ah, you’ve come up with the same problems most of us have: who starts center back and center forward!?
[ MORE: Full schedule for the 2022 World Cup ]
We discuss that and much more in the video above as the Pro Soccer Talk crew (Sincerely, Nick Mendola and Andy Edwards) come up with the USMNT lineup they would start with during the 2022 World Cup.
Of course form and injuries play a role here and we are still some way from the start in Qatar in November. But are we really? The USMNT are just two friendlies (that’s 180 minutes people) against Japan and Saudi Arabia away from finishing their preparations and Gregg Berhalter still has a few key issues to clear up.
Below is a summary of the current situation, while the video above describes who we would select to play for the USMNT in their preferred 4-3-3 formation.
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goalkeepers
This is a flip of a coin situation between Zack Steffen and Matt Turner in goal. Neither will be regulars for Manchester City and Arsenal respectively this season, so those leaving on loan could have the upper hand. It looks like City are gearing up to loan Steffen which is great news for him as Turner has overtaken him in recent months to become the USMNT’s No. However, Berhalter likes to play from behind and Steffen is definitely better with the ball at his feet at the moment.
defenders
If Sergino Dest is fit, he will start as a right back, the same goes for Antonee Robinson as a left back. Walker Zimmerman is a lock to start center back, but starting next to him is a gamble and a huge problem area. After Miles Robinson went down with an Achilles tendon injury (he has a very slim chance of returning for Qatar), Aaron Long, Erik Palmer-Brown and Cameron Carter-Vickers were tried as centre-backs, while Chris Richards was also a strong player. is. contender to start, but he also struggles with injuries. Wildcard: Is John Brooks Actually the Best Option in the Player Pool? Berhalter has left him out of recent rosters, but the free agent will be playing regularly next season and his off-the-ball quality is his greatest strength.
midfielders
The USMNT midfield picks three: Yunus Musah, Weston McKennie and Tyler Adams. That’s what it’s about. The only thing that could change here is Luca de la Torre coming in with another deep-set playmaker on the side, while Brenden Aaronson and Gio Reyna could also fill in as a more attacking number 8 of the trio in midfield.
Forward
Okay, this is hard. Christian Pulisic will start on the left and Tim Weah has pretty much shut down the right for the past few months, but who the hell is going to play up front? Jesus Ferreira has recently taken his chance, while players like Jordan Pefok, Haji Wright and Ricardo Pepi have all failed to take risks and Berhalter appears frustrated at his lack of options for the striker. Could the USMNT really play with a false nine? Can one of Pulislic, Weah or Reyna play as a false nine, but then switch? That just might be the best option for the US to get all of their best offensive players on the field at the same time. Not having a constant striker to call on is a real problem and this is the USMNT’s biggest problem since the 2014 World Cup. Perhaps Jordan Morris is the main one to emerge from the pack to cross the line. to lead Qatar?
Who should start for the USMNT at the 2022 World Cup? originally appeared on NBCSports.com