2016 ফিফা বিশ্বকাপ আজ শুরু হলে USMNT শুরুর একাদশ এবং গভীরতার চার্ট: ক্রিশ্চিয়ান রোল্ডান তার মামলা করছেন
The October international break concluded on a positive note for the US Men’s National Team, with a 2-1 victory over Australia. Mauricio Pochettino is slowly earning credit, showing the team can overcome opponents globally, and we’re learning more about his approach daily. The shift to a back three has been positive, and while questions may linger, the sense of panic is subsiding. However, with the World Cup looming, a crucial question arises: what would the starting XI look like if the tournament began today? Here’s my attempt at answering, outlining how things might shake out.
2026 Projection Players (3): Matt Freese (New York City FC), Matt Turner (New England Revolution), Patrick Schulte (Columbus Crew)
Defenders (8): Sergiño Dest (PSV), Antonee Robinson (Fulham), Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace), Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC), John Brooks (Hoffenheim), Max Arfsten (Columbus Crew), Mark McKenzie (Toulouse)
Midfielders (7): Weston McKennie (Juventus), Tyler Adams (Bournemouth), Diego Luna (Real Lake), Lucas de la Torre (San Diego FC), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders), Malik Tillman (PSV Eindhoven), Tanner Tessmann (Venezia)
Forwards (6): Christian Pulisic (Milan), Folarin Balogun (Monaco), Ricardo Pepi (PSV), Tim Weah (Marseille), Patrick Agyemang (Derby County), Haji Wright (Coventry City), Alex Zendejas (Club America)
Goal Keeper: Matt Freese
Backups: Matt Turner, Patrick Schulte
Patrick Agyemang (Derby County) has been starting already 11 straight games for USMNT between gold cup and friendly matches. Showing what he can shoot in penalty box even Matt Turners return wasn’t enough to see Freese miss the minutes between the sticks. Not exactly seen as a Pochettino project, but if no injuries or massive impact happens, the keeper is among the few positions left for USMNT up for grabs nearing the World Cup.
Right Wing Back Starter: Sergiño Dest
Backups: Alex Freeman, Tim Weah
And just like that, we fall into the chaos. Tim Weah can easily slot in as a makeshift wing back, to help overwhelm opponents, especially since Sergiño Dest hasn’t been healthy enough to play a full 90 for USMNT this year. Dest’s reliability also can work against him as one of the first backups for Antonee Robinson on the right, so having Dest as the first backup on both sides makes sense if Pochettino needed to cut the corner short. Alex Freeman is among the best shooters on the entire team this year, and I’d find it hard to have him missed from a potential world squad.
Center Back Starters: Chris Richards, Tim Ream, Miles Robinson
Backups: Mark McKenzie
Perhaps a little too light at central defense, but from the defenders, who are hard enough to get called up for the world cup. Someone like Tristian Blackmon or Cameron Carter-Vickers would need to make the cut if the back three is here to stay, but the starting trio seems locked in at this stage. Miles Robinson has been a strong performer under Pochettino, and his upside alongside Richards helps make up for Tim Ream’s lack of pace. Though it’ll be good to find out if Reams contigency plan has something to do with it, this is easier said than done compared to this team doing it, so I won’t hold my breath.
Left Wing Back Starter: Antonee Robinson
Backup: Max Arfsten, Sergiño Dest
Another position where its clear who’s first in name on the team sheet is Antonee Robinson. Max Arfsten has shown great as a wing back of what he can produce, but Robinsons consistency makes the issue what to do with the Columbus Crew man is related to his roster spot. With Dest being able to cover both positions, and the need for another Center-Back, is where Pochettino will have to make some decisions.
Central Midfield Starters: Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie
Backups: Tanner Tessmann, Cristian Roldan, Luca De La Torre
The October international window defensively, which Tyler Adams missed due to the birth of his child, hasn’t shown that anyone can replace what he brings to the midfield. Adams captained the USMNT in the 2022 world cup, and is still one of the leaders on the pitch. Now things are getting interesting. Weston McKennie is back in the fold, and still seems the favorite to start, but Cristan Roldan has been good change and Haji Wright assisted twice can make things interesting. In a world where Roldan is the USMNT starting midfielder, with the world cup near starting, can be special especially after Pochettino called him “the perfect player” after the win vs Australia. Tanner Tessmann is trending the right way, but with only two senior midfielders starting, the path to the starting eleven will be tough.
Attacking Midfield Starter: Malik Tillman
Backups: Diego Luna
With Gio Reyna out of the squad, Malik Tillman has become the X factor of the USMNT. He can play centrally, and float to the wings, bringing versatility in how to attack. Growing into his role with the big club in Bayer Leverkusen, Tillman is growing more confident as a player to help lead the USMNT attack when the lights are at their brightest. If a change of pace is needed, Diego Luna isn’t afraid to lead someone and will be ready in time. It’s among the few positions that doesn’t change too much in a back or back four.
Forward Starters: Folarin Balogun, Christian Pulisic
Backups: Tim Weah, Haji Wright, Ricardo Pepi, Patrick Agyemang, Alex Zendejas
Sitting Weah here is tough, though even if he isn’t at his best, the USMNT is better with him on the pitch. Weah can defend well, but is expected to contribute to the attack. Folarin Balogun comes into his own, bringing another class nine to the USMNT, limiting on what they can do as a team when their stuck on the pitch. Christian Pulisic brings a similar take, so together with Robinson, their included no matter what. Haji Wright has shown he can start or start from the bench, and who knows, after being the last player to score a world cup goal for USMNT, maybe he’ll be the first player to score a goal on home soil in 2026 for USMNT.
প্রকাশিত: 2025-10-16 06:48:00
উৎস: www.cbssports.com
