New United States men’s national team interim head coach B.J. Callaghan will make his debut on Thursday against Mexico in the Concacaf Nations League semifinals. Fans are incredibly curious about what the USMNT starting XI vs Mexico will look like.
Callaghan was thrust into the head coaching job after Gregg Berhalter’s contract ran out (among a lot of other drama) and former interim head coach Anthony Hudson left the role early to pursue a head coaching job in Qatar.
Callaghan is no stranger to the national team and the players as he’s been an assistant coach since 2019. He’ll have the national team’s A-team at his disposal for Thursday night including newcomer Folarin Balogun. That said the team is also missing key players like Tim Ream and Tyler Adams due to injury.
One other aspect to consider is the formation he will use. Berhalter loved the 4-3-3 while Hudson preferred a 4-2-3-1 look.
For this potential USMNT starting XI vs Mexico we’re going to assume he sticks with Hudson’s style.
Potential USMNT starting XI vs Mexico
Goalkeeper
It’s Matt Turner time baby. After playing the backup role for Arsenal all season Turner is finally set to get some action. He’s been included on both the Nations League and Gold Cup roster so get ready for the summer of Turner.
Defense
Callaghan will have a difficult decision to make for who to start at center back. He has the options of Chris Richards, Miles Robinson, Walker Zimmerman and Auston Trusty. Richards and Robinson were a quality duo before injuries derailed their World Cup dreams, it would be nice to see them back in action again for the national team.
Antonee Robinson is the no brainer pick for left back. The right back position is up for grabs between Sergiño Dest and Joe Scally. Will Callaghan pick the USMNT’s go-to option who had a horrid season with AC Milan or go with Scally who had a good season with Gladbach?
Our bet is Callaghan selects Dest.
Midfield
USMNT fans are likely going get one of their biggest wishes to come true: Gio Reyna as a center attacking midfielder. We all saw what Reyna can do against Mexico in the Azteca last year. Let’s see if he can make the magic happen again in the No. 10 role.
Weston McKennie and Yunus Musah will play behind Reyna. This will be a key area for the U.S. with the absence of Adams.
Forwards
Christian Pulisic and Tim Weah will take the wings, but all eyes are going to be on Folarin Balogun. It’s been rumored that the USMNT players have said in the past week that Balogun is “the real deal” which will only excite fans more.
A goal against rivals El Tri on your USMNT debut couldn’t make you any more popular with the fans.
If Callaghan for some reason decides to start Ricardo Pepi at striker instead that won’t be a bad option either. Pepi had a great season in the Eredivisie and will have something to prove to U.S. fans after being left off the World Cup roster.
Thursday’s Concacaf Nations League semifinal between the U.S. and Mexico is at 10 p.m. ET at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada. The game will be shown on Paramount+, TUDN, Univision and FuboTV.
