Who Should Start for the USMNT vs. Canada?

09/05/2024 08:00 PM

The U.S. men’s national team will meet a familiar CONCACAF foe in its first post-Copa America match.

Interim head coach Mikey Varas leads the Americans into Saturday’s showdown with Canada at Children’s Mercy Park. The USMNT endured a rough summer at the Copa America, but now has a quick start to get back on track in their first of several preparatory matches for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Christian Pulisic, Yunus Musah, and Tim Ream headline Varas’ 24-player roster for the upcoming pair of matches. Matt Turner and Gio Reyna were also among the roster selections, despite their reduced roles at club level.

Antonee Robinson, Weston McKennie, and Cameron Carter-Vickers are among the players not in the current squad for respective reasons. Their absences will provide a positive opportunity for others to step up such as Caleb Wiley, Johnny Cardoso, and Auston Trusty.

Here is the starting lineup we could see the USMNT deploy against Canada on Saturday, as well as the lineup we would deploy if we were making the final lineup decisions:

GOALKEEPER

Who should start: Matt Turner

Matt Turner’s lack of playing time continues to be an issue, but I’d expect to see Varas provide him with an opportunity on Saturday.

Turner could very well be out of the No. 1 job by the time the World Cup comes around. Ethan Horvath has continued to play regularly for Cardiff City while Patrick Schulte is a rising prospect with the Columbus Crew.

Dual-national Diego Kochen is also included in this month’s camp for the first time in his international career.

However, Turner is the most experienced goalkeeper among the current four and should earn a chance to prove himself again.

DEFENDERS

Who should start: Joe Scally, Chris Richards, Auston Trusty, Caleb Wiley

There are plenty of defensive options for Varas to choose from at each position.

Sergino Dest’s continued absence means Joe Scally heads into September camp as the USMNT’s No. 1 right back option. Scally excelled at the Copa America, walking away as one of the few bright spots in the squad.

That confidence has carried over into the early stages of the Bundesliga season with Borussia Dortmund. Expect to see Scally given the opportunity again on Saturday.

Marlon Fossey will be pushing for his debut and deserves a shot off the bench to prove himself with the USMNT.

Centerback remains one of the biggest question marks in the USMNT squad.

Veteran Tim Ream is back in MLS and could very well continue to be a leader in the squad. Ream is still playing at a high level at 36-years-old, but will be pressured by several younger centerbacks in the pool.

I think Ream can be rested for this match, opening the door for Chris Richards and Auston Trusty to start together. Richards is back playing regularly with Crystal Palace and could use a confidence boost after a rough summer at the Copa America.

Trusty, who joined Scottish leaders Celtic on Deadline Day, will also be hoping to feature frequently over the next few months. After playing heavily in the English Premier League last season, Trusty should see minutes against Canada or New Zealand as he tries to pad his stock in Cameron Carter-Vickers’ absence.

Mark McKenzie is also an option that needs playing time, but again, that could come in the second match vs. New Zealand. McKenzie made the summer move to Ligue 1 club Toulouse and now has a new opportunity with the USMNT as well.

Antonee Robinson’s absence from the squad means either Kristoffer Lund or Caleb Wiley could start at left back. We know what Lund brings to the squad, a strong defensive work rate, but Wiley is a younger option and more of a livelier full back in the final third.

Varas might go with the younger option in Wiley against Canada, especially fresh off his trio of Ligue 1 appearances for Strasbourg.

MIDFIELDERS

Who should start: Johnny Cardoso, Yunus Musah, Gio Reyna

The USMNT remains without Tyler Adams and is also missing Weston McKennie for this window, opening the door to new pairings and ideas.

Johnny Cardoso is a player that has certainly risen to the challenge with La Liga side Real Betis and deserves a start in this window. Cardoso’s strong two-way abilities could see him use more defensively, but I expect to see Varas allow him and Yunus Musah to interchange with one another in midfield.

Gio Reyna’s latest club season with Borussia Dortmund has gone off slow, but he’s back with another USMNT opportunity. Reyna’s playmaking abilities are too good to keep him out of the squad and seeing him in the No. 10 role is something I expect to see against Canada.

Malik Tillman is also an option at the No. 10, but expect Varas maybe to lean Reyna’s way in hopes of giving him a confidence boost.

Luca De La Torre has not featured yet for Celta Vigo this season, but could benefit from the call-up. Continuing his chemistry with his USMNT teammates is certainly important and maybe a pair of cameos this month could help him get back into a groove at club level.

Aidan Morris should also see time this window, especially after his impressive start to life in England with Middlesbrough. Morris, a former Columbus Crew standout, has jumped right into Michael Carrick’s squad on Teesside and hasn’t looked back.

Brenden Aaronson, who was listed as a forward in the squad announcement, is also an option to drop into midfield if need be.

FORWARDS

Who should start: Haji Wright, Josh Sargent, Christian Pulisic

Varas could go a bunch of different ways in attack, similar to the other position groups in his squad.

Haji Wright and Brenden Aaronson are options at right wing, with Tim Weah staying in Turin through injury. Wright’s versatility has continued with Coventry City, floating out wide and using his physical abilities to pair nicely with his attacking teammates.

Aaronson, who has mainly featured more as a midfielder for Leeds United, could also feature out wide as a pressing attacker in the formation. Midfield is also an option for Aaronson.

Folarin Balogun, Ricardo Pepi, and Josh Sargent should all see opportunities at the No. 9 position this month. Balogun has struggled to find the back of the net so far, while Sargent has two goals for Norwich City and Pepi has two combined between PSV and Jong PSV.

I’d go with Sargent here and let Balogun and/or Pepi come off the bench.

Christian Pulisic remains one of the best attackers in CONCACAF and is important to how the USMNT want to attack. Pulisic has one goal and one assist so far for AC Milan and will be eager to add to his international numbers this window.

Similar to Aaronson, Pulisic could also drop into the midfield for possession before springing attacks upfield.

What do you think of our projected lineups? Which would you start? Who are you most excited to see play? Are there any doubts you have?

Share your thoughts below.