The time is finally here. The United States are set to take the pitch under Mauricio Pochettino for the first time this weekend as they take on CONCACAF foes Panama in a friendly match.
Much has been made about how the former Chelsea, Paris Saint Germain, and Tottenham boss could revolutionize the side, but the stark reality is that he will still have the same set of players to choose from.
How he may use them is yet to be determined. Let’s examine how he might set up his team against Panama.
Predicted XI (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper: Matt Turner (Crystal Palace)
Turner’s form of late has been suspect, and his lack of playing time at club level is a worry trend, but currently there is nobody else to challenge him.
Right-back: Marlon Fossey (Standard Liège)
The 26-year-old has had a seemingly overnight rise to prominence, impressing for Standard Liège on a number of occasions. And after making 24 league starts for the Belgian club, the full-back is a getting a look at the national team level. With Sergiño Dest still out injured, it’s Fossey’s spot to lose for the time being.
Center-back: Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati)
The former Atlanta man has been plagued by injuries since being labelled as one of the most talented young defenders in the national team setup just a few years ago. Nonetheless, he is back on his feet fitness wise and should be in the starting XI due to Chris Richards and Cameron Carter-Vickers both being injured.
Center-back: Tim Ream (Charlotte FC)
The veteran defender will likely not be in any of Pochettino’s long-term plans, but with injuries blunting his options, it’s always good to have a safe pair of hands in a team that is in the midst of an evolution.
Left-back: Antonee Robinson (Fulham)
Robinson is probably the only member of this back four who can be considered a guaranteed starter. As one of the most consistent performers for Fulham, Pochettino will be hoping his form continues to translate for the national team.
Midfielder: Weston McKennie (Juventus)
Like Antonee Robinson before him, McKennie is one of the linchpins of this United States team and will be called upon to be one of the emotional leaders on and off the pitch.
Midfielder: Aidan Morris (Middlesbrough)
Morris has been impressing mightily since making the move from MLS to the Championship and was one of the rare standout performers in the final few USMNT matches before the Pochettino hiring. Of course Tyler Adams is the ideal player to play alongside McKennie, but the Bournemouth man remains sidelined with an injury.
Midfielder: Yunus Musah (AC Milan)
Musah has fallen out of favor at Milan under new boss Paulo Fonseca, but he remains an integral part of the national team as Pochettino looks to build his engine room.
Right-wing: Christian Pulisic (AC Milan)
Captain America is of course slotting into the new manager’s first-ever starting lineup, but he will begin on the right.
Left-wing: Haji Wright (Coventry City)
There had been plenty of calls for Wright to get more time on the pitch under Gregg Berhalter after scoring 16 goals in the Championship last year for Coventry. Perhaps under a new coach, he will get a new lease on life for the Stars and Stripes.
Striker: Josh Sargent (Norwich City)
With Folarin Balogun out injured, the most obvious replacement will be Josh Sargent. Through injury or bad form during the Berhalter era, the forward was not in the picture much. However, with seven goal contributions in nine games so far for Norwich, Sargent has thrown his hat in the ring for the starting job.