GK: Matt Turner (Arsenal)
Turner might be the odds-on favorite to start the opening match in Qatar versus Wales. Of course, we’d like our starting goalkeeper to be a starter. It appears as if he’s pegged to be the second choice behind English keeper Aaron Ramsdale. With that said, Turner has proven to be a very good shot-stopper. His play with his feet is somewhat shaky. However, at this point, Turner likely is the best option at this given time (June) for the USMNT. If he can somehow usurp the starting spot from Ramsdale, it’s a no-brainer.
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GK: Zack Steffen (Manchester City)
Steffen didn’t participate in this last (June) window, as he was dealing with reported family issues. His play for the national team has been volatile, at best. We recognize his talents as an athlete/being able to play the ball with his feet. However, the lack of match time with City has led to Steffen being a bit rusty in net. He’s flailed a few times on crosses, and frequently seems to be out of position. Though it appears as if he could use a loan, all reports are indicating that the talented keeper is going to stay at City. We’ll see how that impacts his standing as the possible No. 1 with the national team.
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GK: Sean Johnson (NYCFC)
Johnson ironically could end up being the third-string keeper in Qatar despite being the only one starting for his club. Ethan Horvath (Nottingham Forest) had a rather egregious mistake in the draw to El Salvador. He’s also not slated to start for his club, thus opening the door for Johnson to sneak onto the roster. He’s a solid MLS keeper — though we don’t expect him to suddenly leapfrog Turner nor Steffen in the proverbial pecking order.
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Center-Back: Chris Richards (Bayern Munich)
The 22-year-old by way of Birmingham, Ala. is the most talented center-back within the pool. Richards has the size and physicality requisite for the position. He’s also quite technical — possessing the ability to play the ball with either foot. He was on loan at Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga last year. Parent club Bayern Munich is reportedly wanting to use Richards this year in some capacity — though he’s drawing interest from Southampton, Crystal Palace, and (again) Hoffenheim. He should be a locked-in starter next to Walker Zimmerman in Qatar. His ceiling is considerably high.
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Center-Back: Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC)
After being on the fringes earlier in the cycle, Zimmerman now appears to be locked-in as a starter. He’s very solid in the air, and has shown some improvement when it comes to breaking lines and connecting with teammates. There are some questions as to how he’ll perform against a step-up in competition during the World Cup. However, there’s stability now at the CB spot, and you can be sure that Gregg Berhalter trusts Zimmerman immensely right now as a team leader.
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Center-Back: Cameron Carter-Vickers (Celtic)
With John Brooks seemingly out of the picture (more on that later), Miles Robinson’s injury, and Erik Palmer-Brown’s presumed inability to impress Berhalter, CCV might be the major beneficiary here as the fourth center back going to Qatar. To be fair, he’s had a monster season for Celtic. He was one of the best players in the Scottish Premier League, and he helped Celtic earn a spot in Champions League next season. While a bit short in stature, Carter-Vickers is a bulldog on the pitch. He’s physical, positionally-sound, and — above all else — worthy of a spot on this roster.
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Center-Back: Aaron Long (New York Red Bulls)
Long will be on this roster. He’s a favorite of Berhalter’s, and the injuries/weird personnel decisions all but solidify Long’s spot on this team. If we’re going for the far more talented player, Brooks would be it. No one else in the pool is a weekly starter in the Bundesliga with a combination of above-average technical ability and experience from the spot. Brooks and Berhalter seemingly have some sort of beef (which we may never learn the true story). As such, he’s been essentially banished from the team. Long is known for his pace (despite coming off a Achilles injury). Despite having below-average technical ability, you could see him starting next to Zimmerman versus Wales.
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Right Back: Sergino Dest (FC Barcelona)
When healthy, Dest is among the most talented players on the roster. While his defensive work sometimes is a question mark, there’s no denying his ability to progress the ball within the final third. Dest is wickedly lethal in the build-up, and as such, makes a ton of sense paired on the right with Tim Weah. His availability should help immensely when it comes to goal creation. Dest is the type of special talent not often seen within this program from the right back spot.
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Right Back: Reggie Cannon (Boavista)
Based on the minutes distribution this window, Cannon appears to be the back-up right back to Dest. If Berhalter plans on bringing four center-backs to Qatar, Cannon’s value increases further from the standpoint he has experience playing as a right center-back for his club in Portugal. If the U.S. did go with a 3-5-2 formation in any match, Cannon’s versatility can be utilized. Still, it is a bit worrisome that Cannon looked subpar over the last few matches.
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Right Back: DeAndre Yedlin (Inter Miami)
Yedlin’s role on this team primarily exists as a leader. If this roster is to be correct, Yedlin will be the only player on the squad with any prior World Cup experience. His standing as the third right back might be a bit shaky in terms of on-field performance. He hasn’t been great over the last calendar year. Yedlin will be battling Shaq Moore and potentially Joe Scally for this spot. However, with his past experience, he’ll likely sneak onto the roster.
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LB: Antonee Robinson (Fulham)
Robinson has developed into a true workhorse for the United States. You can write his name in pen on the team sheet, as he’s easily the most proven left-back option within the pool. Aside from his dependability on the pitch, Robinson offers plenty going forward. He bombs up the flanks with considerable pace. Robinson’s final product in terms of whipping crosses into the box can be a bit inconsistent. However, his recovery speed when needing to track back in transition is something that will keep him in the XI.
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LB: Kevin Paredes (VfL Wolfsburg)
This is our wildcard inclusion. We’d be perfectly happy with Joe Scally on this roster as the ‘swing’ back (since he can play on the left and the right). In a perfect world, we’d want a naturally left-footed player behind Robinson. Sam Vines and George Bello don’t seem ready yet, and Jonathan Gomez — barring him breaking in at Real Sociedad — is one to watch for in 2026.
Paredes is left-footed — possessing the ability to play as a fullback and as a winger. He was in camp with Berhalter this past December, and reports indicate that Berhalter rates him very highly. He had a tough time breaking into Wolfsburg’s first team. However, playing time looks likely heading into this season. If Paredes can establish himself in Germany, you could very well see him with the National Team. He’s not only quick and technical, but also very dynamic.
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MF/DEF: James Sands (Rangers)
Berhalter loves versatility — which is why Sands will make this roster. We don’t expect him to play heavy minutes (if at all) in Qatar. However from a positional standpoint, he provides cover at center-back, right back, and at the No. 6 spot (defensive center midfield). Berhalter could opt to take a more speculative selection in Bayern Munich starlet Malik Tillman. This wouldn’t be a shock in the slightest. However, we think he’ll opt for Sands.
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MF: Kellyn Acosta (Los Angeles Football Club)
Acosta is the primary back-up No. 6 to Tyler Adams at this point. He can play as an elevated midfielder in a pinch, and can even pitch in as an emergency right back if need be. However, much of Acosta’s value will come as a leader in the dressing room. Should Adams be plagued by injury or a yellow card suspension, Acosta will simply slide in to assume the deep-lying defensive responsibilities. Additionally, he’s slated to be one of the better set piece specialists on the roster.
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MF: Tyler Adams (RB Leipzig)
Adams is the destroyer in the middle of the park. His value comes when snuffing out counterattacks and covering large swaths of the pitch. This skill-set will be particularly necessary when going up against Iran and Wales. Where he falters a bit is on the technical aspects of the game. Adams isn’t exactly a fluid passer of the ball. He can’t split lines consistently — nor is he the type of player to spray the ball all over the park. With all of that said, Adams is one of the more indispensable members of the team.
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MF: Weston McKennie (Juventus)
McKennie is the heartbeat of this team. He has the license to freelance in the middle of the park — whether that means playing a bit more defensively or pushing the ball forward into the attack. McKennie’s time at Juve has made him a more nuanced/mature footballer. You can see him brimming with confidence whenever he gets on the ball. Plus, he’s also a very capable goal-scoring threat. This is significant considering the lack of a true No. 9 at this current time. Barring injury or yellow card accumulation, McKennie will be out there in the midfield for the Red, White, and Blue.
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MF: Yunus Musah (Valencia)
The 19-year-old is a budding star. As we saw in the San Salvador ‘mudfest’ versus El Salvador, Musah was a man amongst boys. His ability to accelerate and push the ball upfield is paralleled within the pool. Musah is technical on the ball, fierce in the tackle, and has a motor that simply never stops. The famed MMA midfield has been a staple of Berhalter’s scheme for quite some time. Even if Musah is taken out of the starting XI for Brenden Aaronson or Giovanni Reyna, he’ll be a major factor for the U.S. in Qatar.
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MF: Luca de la Torre (Heracles Almelo)
The diminutive midfielder out of San Diego has more than proven he belongs. De la Torre shuttles the ball to teammates exceptionally well. He’s one of the most technical players in the pool, and has surprising speed/quickness when pivoting out of pressure. Without a doubt, LDLT has established himself as one of the core central midfielders behind Musah and McKennie. With his club being relegated to the Dutch second division, look for him to make the jump to a larger club this summer.
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MF: Giovanni Reyna (Borussia Dortmund)
Reyna has battled a hamstring injury over the last six months which has effectively kept him from participating for both the USMNT and German club Borussia Dortmund. Currently, he is working out and expects to make a full recovery. Some don’t think the U.S. can really count on him in Qatar. However, make no mistake about it…Reyna is the most talented player in the entire pool. He glides on the pitch — possessing the ability to go at defenders, play a final pass, and make things happen out of nothing. Though he functions often as an inverted winger for Berhalter, don’t be shocked if he tucks inside at the No. 10 spot next to McKennie (as a way to keep Tim Weah on the pitch). If healthy, Reyna increases the ceiling of this team considerably.
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FW: Ricardo Pepi (Augsburg)
Pepi had a rough transition when making the big money move to Augsburg. We must keep some context here before simply burying the player (as some tend to do). By that point, he had played nearly a year-straight without a break. Augsburg also wasn’t exactly providing Pepi with consistent service. Additionally, he made the move across the pond as a young player without knowing the language or culture. As he approaches his second year, Pepi should be far more comfortable. Berhalter gave him the summer off to rest both physically and mentally. We’ve see what he can do when in form. Simply put, he could be the most talented striker we have. However, as if the case with the No. 9 spot, it’ll all come down to ‘who’s the hottest in-form striker’ when we start the tournament in Qatar.
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FW: Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United)
Aaronson has really emerged as an important player for this team. Aside from being a pressing demon, Aaronson’s confidence on the ball has continued to grow. A high-profile move from Salzburg to Leeds will test Aaronson’s resolve this upcoming year. He’ll be facing a much-higher level of opponent on a weekly basis. With that said, Aaronson has all of the traits to be a productive player in England. Though some are clamoring for him to be a starter with the national team, he may be best served coming in as an impact sub (where he can go at tired legs with his endless energy).
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FW: Paul Arriola (FC Dallas)
Arriola is essentially going to be the fifth winger on this team. He’s a try-hard — relying more on buzzing around rather than utilizing skill. He’s the type of guy you’d bring on for 15-20 minutes to kill a game off when up a goal. You know Arriola will be committed on the defensive end — and there’s certainly value in that. He’s also a good guy in the dressing room/for team chemistry. However, if he’s brought in during the World Cup with the hopes of creating goal-scoring chances…the USMNT might be in trouble.
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FW: Tim Weah (Lille)
Weah has been terrific for the USMNT. He’s a elite two-way player — and perhaps is the team’s most complete winger (yes, that includes Christian Pulisic). Weah possesses the ability to be threatening in the final third. He’s highly technical, and loves whipping crosses into the box. Weah is also tremendous when linking with teammates. Defensively, Weah can do a job tracking back. He’s got blistering pace, and is a physical player in his own right. Simply put, Weah adds a dimension to this team that practically no one else has. He needs to be starting in Qatar.
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FW: Christian Pulisic (Chelsea)
Pulisic is the straw that stirs the drink for this team. He’s the highest-profile member of the squad — and the one which will draw the most attention from opposing teams. The U.S. needs Pulisic to be fully activated for these matches. In other words, we need to see him get on the ball aggressively. There are times where Pulisic floats in and out of the action. When he can collect the ball and run at defenders, he’s at his best. This is his time to shine as the de facto leader of this team. Additionally, Pulisic will want to put on a show in what’s going to be his first World Cup appearance.
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FW: Jesus Ferreira (FC Dallas)
Ferreira has staked a claim as one of the presumed striker selections for Berhalter. Playing the role of a ‘false’ 9, Ferreira’s bread-and-butter comes from his movement. He makes intelligent runs up the pitch (which opens up lanes for other teammates to run onto). Ferreira is also adept at collecting the ball deep. This draws opposing center-backs out of position — which then allows teammates to fill these gaps and create scoring chances. We don’t know whether Ferreira can be the starter versus some of the higher-profile teams the U.S. may face. He’s non-existent in the air, and doesn’t hold the ball up consistently well with his back to goal. Still, Ferreira is a nice option to have regardless.
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FW: Jordan Pefok (Young Boys)
It sounds weird to say when looking at the larger picture, but Pefok isn’t a lock to make this roster. He’s accrued Champions League experience this past year for Swiss club Young Boys. He also led the domestic league in goals scored. For a team in desperate need of a No. 9, you’d think he’d be a no-brainer selection. Pefok is a monster in the box, and is quite good in the air. However, he’s not the mobile, pressing force that Berhalter wants in a striker. This third striker role could very well go to the guy (Matthew Hoppe, Josh Sargent, Haji Wright, Daryl Dike) who’s in the best form by the time we hit November. If Pefok is still scoring goals — especially if he makes the rumored move to Borussia Dortmund — it would be nearly impossible to keep him off the roster. At the very worst, he gives the team a tall, physical presence at striker which could be used when hunting a goal on set pieces late in a match.
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Potential Starting XI
This would be the most dynamic group Gregg could choose. Of course, he could opt to keep the MMA midfield (with Musah centrally and Reyna out wide for Weah). We also could see Reyna’s spot going to Aaronson. Against Wales, it would make sense to add Reyna — especially since the U.S. will likely be forced to break down Wales’ low block defensive alignment. Musah and the MMA midfield might make more sense versus England in the second match of the group stage.
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