We’re less than two months away until the U.S. men’s national team’s quest of lifting the 2024 Copa America trophy begins.
The reigning CONCACAF Nations League winners will welcome CONMEBOL’s best to North America, with hopes of defying the odds against several international heavyweights. Gregg Berhalter still has time to narrow down his roster for this summer’s competition, and very well could be forced into changes pending the end of the European season.
Plenty of the USMNT’s first-choice players should be available for Berhalter to choose from including Christian Pulisic, Antonee Robinson, Yunus Musah, and Matt Turner. Sergino Dest’s recent injury will rule him out of action this summer though, opening a major hole at right back.
The No. 9 position remains up for grabs with Haji Wright and Josh Sargent fighting for involvement, alongside Folarin Balogun and Ricardo Pepi.
Berhalter and his staff will have to trim a 55-player preliminary roster down to 23 players before the start of the tournament in mid-June.
Here is a closer look at who we believe Berhalter will call into Copa America duty:
Goalkeepers
Matt Turner, Ethan Horvath, Drake Callender
Matt Turner’s lack of playing time at Nottingham Forest is a major worry, but expect him to remain the USMNT’s No. 1 heading into the competition.
Turner is Berhalter’s No. 1 and even though Ethan Horvath and Drake Callender are playing each week, the veteran shot-stopper should be given another opportunity to prove himself.
Horvath and Callender will certainly fight for minutes, but I don’t see them overtaking Turner anytime soon, unless an injury occurs.
Missed the Cut: Zack Steffen, Sean Johnson, Gabriel Slonina.
Defenders
Tim Ream, Chris Richards, Auston Trusty, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Joe Scally, Antonee Robinson, Kristoffer Lund, Bryan Reynolds.
Sergino Dest’s injury absence is a major worry for the USMNT, but Joe Scally will be expected to step up at right back.
Scally, 21, has continued to play regularly with Borussia Moenchengladbach this season and has a great opportunity this summer to carry his club form over to the international level. Although he doesn’t have the international experience that Dest does, Scally is a youthful option and should get the nod.
Tim Ream’s veteran experience is a must in the squad, even if he might not be in the starting lineup. His Fulham role has decreased in recent months, but Ream will be expected to play some sort of role.
Chris Richards, Auston Trusty, and Cameron Carter-Vickers have all played leading roles at club level this season and will be fighting to start in the back-four. Richards overcame a tough first half of the season with Crystal Palace to become a key contributor through the winter and spring.
Although Sheffield United is set for relegation, Trusty has gained valuable experience at Bramall Lane this season. He has featured as a centerback and left back at times for the Blades.
Carter-Vickers has helped Celtic jump back into the drivers seat in the SPFL and will aim to stay healthy for lengthy international run.
Antonee Robinson remains the USMNT’s top left back option and that role should continue this summer. Robinson has been one of the better left backs in the Premier League and will now aim to test himself against CONMEBOL’s best.
Kristoffer Lund is a left back option behind Robinson while Bryan Reynolds has enjoyed another strong season in Belgium at right back. Reynolds’ status is up in the air pending the Paris Olympics, but if he is wanted with the senior team, he definitely deserves it.
Mark McKenzie is also a centerback option that deserves an opportunity and pending the fitness levels of Ream, Richards, Trusty, and Carter-Vickers, could be in the squad.
Missed the Cut: Kevin Paredes, DeAndre Yedlin, Lynden Gooch, Reggie Cannon, John Brooks, Mark McKenzie.
Midfielders
Weston McKennie, Yunus Musah, Luca De La Torre, Malik Tillman, Johnny Cardoso, Tyler Adams, Gio Reyna.
There are no real surprises here with several of the USMNT midfielders thriving at club level.
Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie, and Yunus Musah are the USMNT’s top three midfielders and all three excelled during the Nations League window last March. Although fitness issues have sidelined Adams in recent weeks, his presence in the USMNT remains majorly important.
McKennie and Musah have enjoyed positive club seasons and will be seeking a strong summer. Their versatility has been on display in Serie A and very well could see them floated in different roles with the USMNT.
Malik Tillman has been one of the top performers in the Eredivisie and should be back in the USMNT squad. Tillman has been impactful in PSV’s title run, registering double-digit assists and closing in on double-digit goals.
Johnny Cardoso’s impressive start to life in La Liga warrants him an opportunity with the USMNT this summer. Cardoso’s strong work rate paired with his ability to create in the final third will see him as a strong bench option.
Gio Reyna enjoyed a strong March window with the USMNT and has shown some bright spots with Nottingham Forest since then. Although Reyna’s club future remains a major question mark this summer, a strong USMNT run could be great for a potential move away from Borussia Dortmund.
Luca De La Torre’s creativity will also be something to watch off the bench for the USMNT. De La Torre has missed some time with Celta Vigo, but he has been positive when healthy in Spain.
Gianluca Busio and Tanner Tessmann will be in the mix for Olympic opportunities so I’d expect to see them there and not at the Copa America. Brenden Aaronson’s up-and-down loan spell in Germany likely will rule him out of contention while Lennard Maloney is also one of the odd-men out.
Missed the Cut: Brenden Aaronson, Gianluca Busio, Tanner Tessmann, Lennard Maloney.
Forwards
Christian Pulisic, Josh Sargent, Folarin Balogun, Tim Weah, Haji Wright.
Christian Pulisic remains the headlining attacking threat in Berhalter’s squad, but who will step up around him?
Haji Wright has been one of the productive forwards in Europe this season, helping Coventry City reach the FA Cup Semifinals and also come close to a top-six finish. Wright’s versatility has seen him used out wide, a role we could also see him in with the USMNT.
Folarin Balogun has struggled at times with Monaco, but his long-term potential remains very high. Balogun’s physicality and verticality makes him a good option to have, whether that is in the starting lineup or off the bench.
Ricardo Pepi’s limited playing time at PSV is worrying for his club future while Josh Sargent has had a great season for Norwich City. Although Pepi has earned more USMNT chances in recent time, I think bringing Sargent back is a must this summer.
Similar to Wright, Sargent has floated out wide at times in David Wagner’s squad, which could be used if needed.
Tim Weah remains a likely candidate to start on the right wing of Berhalter’s set-up despite being in-and-out of the Juventus squad. Weah could also play as a right wing back or right back if needed, but I’d expect him up high in the formation.
Brandon Vazquez and Alex Zendejas are additional attacking pieces that deserve chances, but there are others ahead of them right now in the pecking order.
Missed the Cut: Ricardo Pepi, Brandon Vazquez, Taylor Booth, Alex Zendejas.
What do you think of our projected roster? Who made the cut that you are hoping is included? Who did we leave out that you think deserves to be part of the Copa America squad?
Share your thoughts below.
Source - sbisoccer.com