Who Should Start for the USMNT vs. Colombia?

The U.S. men’s national team are 20 days away from opening play at the 2024 Copa America competition, but first Gregg Berhalter’s squad will have a pair of friendlies on home soil.

Colombia will oppose the Americans on Saturday at Commanders Field in Landover, Maryland in the first of two important preparatory matches for the USMNT. Berhalter will not only aim to determine his best lineup for the upcoming Copa America, but also continue the growing chemistry between the players in his squad.

Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, and Gio Reyna headline the star talent at Berhalter’s disposal, while many others are fighting to be part of the final roster. Sergino Dest’s absence will provide both Joe Scally and Shaq Moore with opportunities to lock down the right back job ahead of the competition.

The No. 9 position remains up for grabs with Folarin Balogun, Ricardo Pepi, Haji Wright, and Josh Sargent all jostling for minutes this month.

Here is the starting lineup we could see the USMNT deploy against Colombia on Saturday, as well as the lineup we would deploy if we were making the final lineup decisions:

GOALKEEPER

Daniel Bartel/ISI Photos

Who will start: Matt Turner

Who should start: Matt Turner

Matt Turner’s club opportunities were few and far between this year, but his position with the USMNT remains consistent.

Turner will certainly remain Berhalter’s No. 1 option between the posts for the Copa America and beyond. Despite pressure from Ethan Horvath, who played frequently for Cardiff City, I can’t see Turner dropped from the squad.

DEFENDERS

Who will start: Joe Scally, Chris Richards, Miles Robinson, Antonee Robinson

Who should start: Joe Scally, Chris Richards, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Antonee Robinson

With two friendlies in quick succession, Berhalter will aim to give every player an opportunity to impress.

Sergino Dest’s injury now forces Joe Scally into the leading role to start at right back. Scally featured heavily for Borussia Moenchengladbach during the recent Bundesliga campaign and should get the nod of Shaq Moore for this match.

Moore will likely earn time, but expect Scally to get the nod in the starting lineup.

Chris Richards and Cameron Carter-Vickers are both coming off strong endings to their respective club campaigns and would be a strong 1-2 duo at centerback. Both Richards and Carter-Vickers are solid defensively, while bringing good attributes off corner kicks and set plays.

Mark McKenzie also played a large role at club level and will also look to feature in the pair of matches. Despite being the odd-man out at times, McKenzie is a good defender and has improved with his passing abilities out of the back.

Miles Robinson is in the thick of his club schedule with FC Cincinnati and will be fighting to feature too. Tim Ream rarely featured for Fulham during the second half of the season, but did start in the Cottagers season-finale win.

Antonee Robinson delivered a career-best year for Fulham and remains the No. 1 left back in the USMNT squad. Kristoffer Lund will also seek opportunities, but for now, it remains Robinson’s job to lose.

MIDFIELDERS

Who will start: Weston McKennie, Gio Reyna, Tyler Adams

Who should start: Weston McKennie, Yunus Musah, Malik Tillman

The USMNT’s midfield corps certainly has a lot of talent heading into June’s friendlies.

Tyler Adams’ fitness remains a big question mark heading into the Colombia match, especially with the captain making only five appearances this year to date. Adams is in good spirits heading into the match and ultimately will want to play as much as possible to get into a groove before the Copa America.

Johnny Cardoso is also an option in midfield, but a start against Brazil would also be a confidence boost.

Gio Reyna and Malik Tillman are both options at the No. 10 for the USMNT. Tillman enjoyed a stellar loan spell at PSV this past season, which ultimately led to the Eredivisie side triggering his purchase option from Bayern Munich.

Although Tillman’s club impact hasn’t always transferred over to the USMNT, he remains an in-form attacker for Berhalter to consider.

Reyna’s loan spell at Nottingham Forest did not go as planned, but he did enjoy an impactful USMNT window last March. He will fight with Tillman for minutes at the No. 10, so whoever doesn’t start in the Colombia match, could be seen off the bench.

Timmy Tillman and Luca De La Torre are also options for Berhalter to consider, but I expect you’ll see them off the bench if anything.

FORWARDS

Who will start: Haji Wright, Folarin Balogun, Christian Pulisic

Who should start: Haji Wright, Josh Sargent, Christian Pulisic

These upcoming two friendlies could be what truly shakes the No. 9 race for the USMNT.

Folarin Balogun will have plenty to prove this month, especially after a tough first season with AS Monaco. Despite finishing the season with eight goals and seven assists, Balogun went through rough patches and will be eager to get back on track this summer.

Skill wise, I think he still is the USMNT’s long-term No. 1 striking option, but Josh Sargent and others will have something to say.

Sargent deserves an opportunity in the starting lineup after a positive season with Norwich City. It marked the second-straight campaign in which Sargent registered double-digit goals as the Canaries reached the promotion playoffs.

A USMNT return was deserved and now Sargent will have to make the most of it.

Haji Wright was the top scorer of all American players in Europe this season and is back after a memorable first year with Coventry City. Wright’s impact was also seen during the USMNT’s March window, where he scored twice in the CONCACAF Nations League semifinal triumph over Jamaica.

His versatility could see him used out wide, a role we saw Wright in a lot at Coventry.

Ricardo Pepi is also fighting for opportunities and will likely be used off the bench. Pepi was a super sub for PSV and the USMNT over the past year and could offer more again this month.

Christian Pulisic remains the likely starter at left wing, especially after a strong first season in Italy. Pulisic was stellar for AC Milan, registering over 20 goal contributions for the Rossoneri.

He remains a vital leader to the USMNT attack.

Tim Weah is also an option again at right wing, but Wright could get the nod after a more impactful club campaign in England. Weah’s versatility might also see him used as a right wing back while Brenden Aaronson is also a candidate off the bench as a winger, or in midfield.

It certainly is a deep attacking unit for the USMNT this month.

What do you think of our projected lineups? Which would you start? Who are you most excited to see play? Are there any doubts you have?

Share your thoughts below.