With Manager Bruce Arena coming back to the US Men’s National Soccer Team with the objective of reaching the World Cup, there has been plenty of discussion of who should be in Arena’s lineup come World Cup Qualifying. With Arena coming into the fold, the team should attempt to incorporate up and coming players into the lineup.
Previous Manager Jurgen Klinsmann was reliant on the likes of USMNT stalwarts Clint Dempsey, Michael Bradley, Tim Howard, Jermaine Jones, Kyle Beckerman and Alejandro Bedoya.
My thinking is that, after 2018, these old stalwarts will be too old for use for the National Team, and will not be able to be useful in qualifying for the 2022 World Cup. Along with that, playing the future stars such as Christian Pulisic, Lyndon Gooch, Cameron Carter-Vickers and Jordan Morris. Allowing these young players to get adjusted to international play will help them for both the 2018 World Cup and the rest of their career.
With that being said, I do not believe Arena should not completely get rid of these players all the way. I would keep Clint Dempsey on the roster for the veteran guidance that the young players need. He could also be used as a key sub when the game is on the line. The same could be said for current Captain Michael Bradley. Bradley can be used when the team needs to defend the lead in a crucial World Cup Qualifying match or in the World Cup itself. Along with that, both could be used in the starting lineup if an injury to a starter or suspension occurs.
Now, what would my lineup for the USMNT be considering my “youth movement?” Well it would be a 4-3-3. My suggested Goalkeeper would be Ethan Horvath. The back line would consist of (in order from left to right), Greg Garza, John Brooks, Geoff Cameron and DeAndre Yedlin. The mid-field would include Christian Pulisic, Dempsey, and Darlington Nagbe. The top three would be Fabian Johnson, Bobby Wood, and Gyasi Zardes. This lineup that I have proposed also includes veterans such as Bradley, Graham Zusi and Sacha Kljestan on the bench.
This lineup gives the USMNT’s youth players vital playing time while allowing for the team to perform well via the use of veteran layers such as Cameron and Dempsey. This will situation will help the team now and in the future.