USA starting lineup at 2022 FIFA World Cup? Breaking down the USMNT's starting 11 vs Netherlands

Author Photo
Gio Reyna, Gregg Berhalter, and Christian Pulisic of the USMNT
Getty Images

At the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, the U.S. national team is guaranteed to play three group matches and the starting selections made against Wales, England, and Iran will go a long way toward determining whether the USA will be having an extended stay in the Middle East.

Manager Gregg Berhalter will be tasked with deploying the players on the 26-man final roster he selected. Every starting 11 will be up for debate among the fans.

The first one against Wales had a few interesting choices: elder statesman Tim Ream selected at center-back, Tim Weah over Brenden Aaronson at right wing, and Josh Sargent at forward over Jesus Ferreira. Against England, the trend continued, as Berhalter went with Haji Wright up front.

There have been calls from fans and media for Gio Reyna to get time, but he has seen little action, as has Aaronson, with Weah seeing much of the time on the wing.

Still, there could be some changes moving forward as Berhalter looks to keep players fit and deploy the best eleven to fit the moment. There are some positions that are not up for debate. We get into it below.

MORE: Breaking down the USA's squad selections for Qatar 2022

USA World Cup squad

Gregg Berhalter announced his final 26-man roster for the 2022 World Cup on November 9. Here is the full list of players that will head to Qatar, barring any last-minute injuries.

Position Player Club Age Caps 2022 World Cup
Qualifiers
GK Ethan Horvath Luton Town (ENG) 27 8 0
GK Sean Johnson NYCFC (USA) 33 10 0
GK Matt Turner Arsenal (ENG) 28 18 7
DEF Tim Ream Fulham (ENG) 35 46 1
DEF Cameron Carter-Vickers Celtic (SCO) 24 10 0
DEF Sergino Dest AC Milan (ITA) 21 17 6
DEF Aaron Long NY Red Bulls (USA) 30 29 2
DEF Shaq Moore Nashville SC (USA) 26 15 4
DEF Antonee Robinson Fulham (ENG) 25 28 13
DEF Joe Scally Gladbach (GER) 19 2 0
DEF DeAndre Yedlin Inter Miami (USA) 29 74 9
DEF Walker Zimmerman Nashville SC (USA) 29 31 10
MID Kellyn Acosta LAFC (USA) 27 52 13
MID Tyler Adams Leeds United (ENG) 23 19 13
MID Weston McKennie Juventus (ITA) 24 34 7
MID Yunus Musah Valencia (SPA) 19 18 10
MID Cristian Roldan Seattle Sonders (USA) 27 32 5
MID Brenden Aaronson Leeds United (ENG) 21 21 11
MID Luca de la Torre Celta Vigo (SPA) 24 12 4
FWD Gio Reyna Borussia Dortmund (GER) 19 11 3
FWD Jesus Ferreira FC Dallas (USA) 21 12 6
FWD Jordan Morris Seattle Sounders (USA) 27 47 6
FWD Haji Wright Antalyaspor (TUR) 24 3 0
FWD Christian Pulisic Chelsea (ENG) 24 50 10
FWD Josh Sargent Norwich City (ENG) 22 19 3
FWD Timothy Weah LOSC Lille (FRA) 22 24 9

USA starting lineup at the 2022 World Cup

USA Starting Lineup vs Netherlands World Cup 120322
Sporting News

Gregg Berhalter has favored a 4-3-3 formation throughout his time as U.S. head coach. He has occasionally experimented with a three-man center-back formation, and it wouldn't be crazy to see it crop up at the World Cup, but for the most part, fans are used to Berhalter's four-back system.

The United States have one of the youngest rosters at the FIFA World Cup, and any formation that Berhalter trots out will feature a host of players who are yet to reach the prime of their careers.

Against Wales in their opening match of the 2022 World Cup, the United States put Josh Sargent up front in the striker role, with Jesus Ferreira on the bench. Tim Ream was selected in central defense alongside Walker Zimmerman. On the right wing, Tim Weah was selected ahead of a multitude of attacking options.

MORE: A full, minute-by-minute recap of USA vs. Wales, with highlights, analysis, and commentary

Against England, just four days removed from an extremely hard-fought 90+ minutes against Wales, some changes were thought to be in order. It will be important for Gregg Berhalter to keep the U.S. players fresh in what is a rigorous and grueling tournament.

For the final group stage match, the head man named just two changes from the England draw, bringing striker Josh Sargent back into the lineup, with Haji Wright returning to the bench and Jesus Ferreira still out in the cold. However, Ferreira would get his chance four days later, starting up front against the Netherlands in the Round of 16 as Sargent was injured against Iran.

MORE: A full, minute-by-minute recap of USA vs. Iran, with highlights, analysis, and commentary

Berhalter also brought Cameron Carter-Vickers into defense for Walker Zimmerman against Iran in his first alteration of the defensive unit this tournament, but Zimmerman returned for the Round of 16 match against the Netherlands.

The rest of the starters from four days ago again are deployed. Tim WeahSergino DestTim Ream, and Weston McKennie are all sitting on yellow card suspensions, and would be left out from the quaterfinals if they are cautioned again and the U.S. do advance.

Additionally, electric wingers Gio Reyna and Brenden Aaronson are again left on the bench as Weah continues in his role on the right flank. Many fans were clamoring for Reyna to come on against Wales and England late, but never appeared in the former and got precious few minutes in the latter.

United States starting lineup vs. Netherlands (4-3-3): 1-Turner (GK) — 2-Dest, 3-Zimmerman, 13-Ream, 5-Robinson — 8-McKennie, 4-Adams, 6-Musah — 21-Weah, 9-Ferreira, 10-Pulisic.

Goalkeeper

All through World Cup qualifying, the United States had a tussle between Zack Steffen and Matt Turner in goal, but in the end Turner won out with Steffen left off the roster despite having a long relationship with manager Gregg Berhalter since his days with the Columbus Crew.

Turner had a slight injury that saw Arsenal keep him sidelined for a few games leading into the World Cup, but he's back at full match fitness and he's the first choice in goal in Qatar. This is his tournament and his team, now.

Ethan Horvath will be a great late-game option off the bench in case of injury, and Berhalter could even conceivably turn to Horvath in the event of a penalty shootout. Sean Johnson, 33, projects to be the potential third-string.

Defense

With Miles Robinson and Chris Richards both out injured, Gregg Berhalter needed a partner for Walker Zimmerman at the heart of the U.S. defense.

Enter the rise of 35-year-old Tim Ream, who has had a stunning revival at Fulham this season, forcing Berhalter's hand and earning selection to the World Cup. Cameron Carter-Vickers is also having a solid season at Celtic and could push for time, but he is, like Zimmerman, more naturally a right-sided center-back, whereas Ream is more naturally on the left. Aaron Long will be a last-ditch option, having slogged through a poor season at New York Red Bulls and struggled to recapture his highest level from before his Achilles injury.

At full-back, Antonee "Jedi" Robinson and Sergino Dest are locks to start when healthy. Robinson, especially, could play every minute of the World Cup, as Berhalter did not include a natural left-back in the squad. Instead, the other three full-backs are all naturally right-sided, with young Joe Scally, veteran DeAndre Yedlin, and versatile Shaq Moore the ones on the plane. Moore would likely slide over to the left if needed to spell Jedi.

MORE: Watch every World Cup match live with fuboTV (U.S.-only free trial)

Midfield

The trio of Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie, and Yunus Musah have become regulars in midfield for the United States, affectionately dubbed "MMA." Berhalter has occasionally tested other options for Musah's spot, with Brenden Aaronson impressing in a central position and Gio Reyna also capable, but the Valencia youngster is considered the most consistent man for the job of progressing the ball forward into the attack.

MORE: How Musah spurned three other nations to pledge allegiance to the USA

Adams in particular has been fantastic at Leeds this season, playing a similar, high-pressing role for Jesse Marsch that Berhalter wants him to play for the U.S. He has improved both on and off the ball, and will be a critical player for the U.S. at the World Cup. Despite fitness concerns for McKennie and Musah, the MMA midfield was fantastic in the draw with England.

Behind the starting three are lots of question marks. LAFC's Kellyn Acosta is a consistent veteran presence, but the drop-off is clear. Luca de la Torre was thought to be another backup option, but he has hardly played since a summer move to Celta Vigo, and a late October injury has sapped him of full match fitness.

Forward

The U.S. has struggled to find a consistent presence at striker since the departure of the criminally underrated Jozy Altidore — as they say in the NFL, a quarterback is never more appreciated than when he leaves, and that's proving the case up front for the U.S.

Jesus Ferreira, who keeps firing in goals for FC Dallas but fell off a bit at the end of the MLS season, has been the presumed starter at the World Cup. Berhalter feels Ferreira understands the playing system better than anyone and selected him for Qatar. Still, his goalscoring in a national team shirt has been far from consistent.

Behind Ferreira was a nightmare of options for Berhalter as he considered selection. He chose to go with Josh Sargent and Haji Wright, two very different profiles of striker. Sargent struggled last season with Norwich City in the Premier League and lost his place on the national team, but a solid run of form in the English second division earned him a recall.

Wright, meanwhile, is a physical striker who can challenge opponents in the air and is in good goalscoring form in the Turkish top flight.

On the wings, there are far more exciting options, at maybe the deepest position for the USA. Christian Pulisic is the unquestioned leader of the group, and Brenden Aaronson is excelling at Leeds United alongside his international teammate Adams. Tim Weah is a consistent threat, he has recovered from a long early-season injury to be an option once again. Gio Reyna has also struggled with nagging injuries, but seems fit in time to be a factor at the World Cup, and he could come off the bench to terrorize opponents late in games.

Berhalter will likely have to decide how to get both Aaronson and Weah the most game time while Pulisic maintains a leadership role on the pitch and Reyna provides electricity off the bench. Aaronson is likely the starter for now over Weah given his season-long performance level, while Weah has only just returned from injury but is back to full match fitness.

Author(s)
Kyle Bonn Photo

Kyle Bonn is a soccer content producer for The Sporting News.