Projecting the USMNT roster for March’s Nations League schedule

The U.S. men’s national team’s quest of lifting the CONCACAF Nations League trophy for a third-consecutive edition continues this March with a tricky semifinal showdown vs. Jamaica.

Gregg Berhalter’s squad will meet the Reggae Boyz at AT&T Stadium on March 21 in what will be their first competitive action of 2024. After eliminating Trinidad & Tobago in the quarterfinals last November, the USMNT will receive a much tougher test from Jamaica.

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. However, key leaders Weston McKennie and Tyler Adams may not be available due to respective issues, forcing others to step up.

After originally announcing a 60-player preliminary roster, Berhalter will have to trim his final roster to 23 players.

Here is a closer look at who we believe Berhalter will call into March duty:

Goalkeepers

Matt Turner, Ethan Horvath, Drake Callender

Matt Turner’s inconsistent playing time is a worry for his club future, but his international future remains pretty clear.

Turner is the USMNT’s No. 1 for the foreseeable future, remaining a consistent performer in the squad. The veteran shot-stopper has mainly featured in cup competitions this year for Nottingham Forest and continues to have the edge over others in the USMNT goalkeeping pool.

Ethan Horvath has found playing time with Cardiff City, but isn’t likely to beat Turner out for the No. 1 job. Drake Callender will fight for the No. 2 job as the year goes on.

Missed the Cut: Zack Steffen, Sean Johnson, Gabriel Slonina, Diego Kochen.

Defenders

Tim Ream, Chris Richards, Auston Trusty, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Sergino Dest, Joe Scally, Antonee Robinson, Kristoffer Lund.

The USMNT’s ever-changing centerback corps will likely feature another shuffle for the March window.

Tim Ream has the most experience in the current pool and should be in the mix once again. Despite having some in-and-out spells this year with Fulham, the 36-year-old is expected to remain part of the USMNT plans for the upcoming year of competitions.

Chris Richards is continuing to impress in England with Crystal Palace, recently scoring his first goal for the club. Richards’ versatility and physicality should provide him with a strong opportunity to start against Jamaica.

The results have come for Auston Trusty at Sheffield United, but it hasn’t stopped him from featuring in ample matches for the Blades. Trusty’s consistent playing time should do wonders for his USMNT future, especially in March’s window.

Cameron Carter-Vickers recently returned to action for Celtic and is another defender fighting for a larger USMNT role. His strong work rate and calmness in the back line is something Berhalter will certainly consider for the semifinals and potential finals.

Sergino Dest is suspended for the semifinal round, but should be expected to feature if the Americans reach the final. Dest remains the USMNT’s No. 1 right back and will continue to be heading into the summer.

Antonee Robinson’s strong season with Fulham has led to growing European interest elsewhere. The Fulham defender is the USMNT’s No. 1 left back and with Dest unavailable for the semifinals, Robinson’s final-third service will be crucial.

Joe Scally and Kristoffer Lund should join Robinson and Dest in the fullback corps this month. Scally is continuing to feature for Borussia Moenchengladbach while Lund is doing the same with Palermo.

Missed the Cut: Bryan Reynolds, DeAndre Yedlin, Lynden Gooch, Reggie Cannon, John Brooks, Mark McKenzie.

Midfielders

Jeremy Reper/ISI Photos

Weston McKennie, Yunus Musah, Kevin Paredes, Luca De La Torre, Malik Tillman, Johnny Cardoso.

There are no real surprises here with several of the USMNT midfielders thriving at club level.

Weston McKennie and Yunus Musah remain the top-two options in Berhalter’s midfield, especially with Tyler Adams not yet at 100% fitness wise. However, McKennie’s recent shoulder injury at Juventus could be costly in the 24-year-old featuring this month.

If McKennie is good to go, expect him to be in the squad.

In-form Johnny Cardoso should be called on after an impressive start to life in La Liga. Cardoso earned league honors for his impactful month of February and will be eager to get back into the USMNT fold.

Luca De La Torre and Malik Tillman are enjoying positive seasons of their own and will be fighting to be in the starting lineup. De La Torre has remained a consistent starter for Celta Vigo while Tillman has helped PSV to an impressive season to date.

Kevin Paredes has grown into an important player for Wolfsburg this season and deserves an opportunity as a bench option. Brenden Aaronson’s overall frustrating campaign with Union Berlin paired with Paredes’ growing role at Wolfsburg is why we should see the 20-year-old.

Missed the Cut: Tyler Adams (Fitness), Brenden Aaronson, Gianluca Busio, Tanner Tessmann, Lennard Maloney, Dante Polvara.

Forwards

Robin Alam/ISI Photos

Christian Pulisic, Gio Reyna, Ricardo Pepi, Folarin Balogun, Tim Weah, Josh Sargent.

The USMNT’s attacking corps will feature several expected faces and one new face returning to the group

Christian Pulisic remains the lead man in the attack for Berhalter’s squad. His playmaking and goalscoring abilities are crucial to the USMNT and Berhalter will seek the best from Pulisic once again.

Gio Reyna’s lack of playing time at Nottingham Forest is a worry, but overall expect him to get his USMNT chance again. Reyna has all the talent to be a key player in this window, which could be crucial for his final few months in England.

Tim Weah remains a likely candidate to start on the right wing of Berhalter’s set-up. Weah has mainly served as a bench option in 2024 for Juventus, but should be well rested for a potential start against Jamaica.

Folarin Balogun, Ricardo Pepi, and Josh Sargent will all jostle for the No. 9 role this window. Balogun has endured some tough moments in his first season with Monaco, while Pepi hasn’t cracked the PSV starting lineup on a consistent basis.

Sargent however has been consistent for Norwich City following his return from injury. The American forward has reached double-digit goals this season and will return to camp in strong form.

Paredes could also feature on the wing if needed while Reyna could drop into midfield.

Haji Wright has enjoyed a strong season with Coventry City, but after a lengthy absence from the USMNT squad, I don’t see that changing this March.

Missed the Cut: Jesus Ferreira, Brandon Vazquez, Haji Wright, Jordan Pefok, Taylor Booth.

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 March squad?

Share your thoughts below.