USMNT World Cup Prediction: Staff picks for 26-man roster

The United States men’s national team‘s opening recreation of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar is Nov. 21 against Wales, however the roster reveal is even nearer. On Wednesday, Gregg Berhalter will title his 26-man squad for the event, and there are certain to be snubs and surprises.

In anticipation of the complete roster launch, we requested our workers of writers right here at FOX Sports — Laken Litman, Doug McIntyre and Martin Rogers — to make educated guesses as to who can be on the aircraft to Qatar later this month. 

While there we no disagreements on the prime with gamers suc as Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie and Tyler Adams, issues acquired fascinating on the roster’s fringes, notably on the striker place.

[USMNT World Cup roster prediction: Alexi Lalas picks his 26-man roster]

Let’s get into it.

CONSENSUS PICKS (22)

Goalkeepers (3): Sean Johnson, Zack Steffen, Matt Turner

Full backs (5): Reggie Cannon, Sergiño Dest, Antonee Robinson, Joe Scally, DeAndre Yedlin

Center backs (4): Cameron Carter-Vickers, Aaron Long, Mark McKenzie, Walker Zimmerman 

Midfielders (4): Kellyn Acosta, Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie, Yunus Musah 

Wingers (5): Paul Arriola, Brenden Aaronson, Christian Pulisic, Giovanni Reyna, Tim Weah

Strikers (1): Jesús Ferreira

LAKEN’S PICKS

Chris Richards (CB), Luca de la Torre (MF), Malik Tillman (MF), Josh Sargent (ST)

The striker spot is a difficult one. Berhalter was criticized for excluding Jordan Pefok previous to the final window that included friendlies in opposition to Japan and Saudi Arabia. Pefok received the Golden Boot within the Swiss League final 12 months and had been a prime scorer for Union Berlin. But he hasn’t scored up to now eight video games. 

Even although Sargent not too long ago injured his calf, he has been a stable contributor for Norwich City and scored eight targets in 17 video games this season, so he will get the nod right here.

DOUG’S PICKS

Malik Tillman (MF), Jordan Morris (RW), Ricardo Pepi (ST), Josh Sargent (ST)

The undeniable fact that Aaronson, Pulisic and Reyna can be deployed as central attacking midfielders opens the door for two extra extensive gamers: the defensively sound longtime nationwide teamers Arriola and Morris.

McKennie ought to be wholesome by the point camp opens in Qatar; solely an sudden setback will hold the surefire starter residence. Injured Luca de la Torre could be right here if wholesome, however his restoration timeline takes him all the way in which to the Americans Nov. 21 opener vs. Wales. Tillman, enjoying frequently in Scotland and within the Champions League, claims the ultimate spot forward of Cristian Roldan.

[USMNT Stock Watch: McKennie injury puts pressure on midfield reserves]

Pepi has been prolific since arriving within the Netherlands; he and Ferreira have been each regulars all through World Cup qualifying. Sargent is tied for second in scoring in England’s Championship and is anticipated to be over his calf damage in time. 

Pefok wasn’t a lock for Berhalter even when he was knocking in targets in Germany. He’s now mired in a scoring drought that seals his destiny. 

MARTIN’S PICKS

Luca de la Torre (MF), Jordan Morris (RW), Ricardo Pepi (ST), Jordan Pefok (ST)

With Sargent fighting current damage, Pefok makes it regardless of patchy current kind. And de la Torre will get the nod from Berhalter regardless of his personal damage issues, the coach maybe reasoning that his energetic impression could possibly be helpful towards the tip of the group stage, or past.

Laken Litman covers faculty soccer, faculty basketball and soccer for FOX Sports. She beforehand wrote for Sports Illustrated, USA Today and The Indianapolis Star. She is the writer of “Strong Like a Woman,” printed in spring 2022 to mark the fiftieth anniversary of Title IX. Follow her on Twitter @LakenLitman.

Doug McIntyre is a soccer author for FOX Sports. Before becoming a member of FOX Sports in 2021, he was a workers author with ESPN and Yahoo Sports and he has lined United States males’s and girls’s nationwide groups at a number of FIFA World Cups. Follow him on Twitter @ByDougMcIntyre.

Martin Rogers is a columnist for FOX Sports and the writer of the FOX Sports Insider e-newsletter. Follow him on Twitter @MRogersFOX and subscribe to the daily newsletter.