CONCACAF NATIONS LEAGUE
Possible starting lineup for USMNT for the 2nd leg against Trinidad & Tobago
Gregg Berhalter’s team are in control of the CONCACAF Nations League quarter-final but will be without the injured Weston McKennie.
The USMNT have all but secured their place in the CONCACAF Nations League semi-finals, and consequently the 2024 Copa América, after a 3-0 victory over Trinidad and Tobago in the first leg of the quarter-final at Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas.
The return leg takes place Hasley Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain on Monday with the Stars and Stripes only needing to avoid a total disaster to qualify for the last four of a tournament they have won both previous editions of.
Room for USMNT improvement despite “decent” result
Head coach Gregg Berhalter received plenty of criticism for the way he set up his team and their performance in the win. All three goals came in the final eight minutes, with the Soca Warriors keeping the US at bay for over 40 minutes after going down to 10 men late in the first half.
Gio Reyna, who scored his country’s third goal just after earlier strikes from Ricardo Pepi and Antonee Robinson, admitted after the game they had plenty of room to improve but that they had still managed a “decent result”.
One enforced change due to McKennie injury
Although they lacked a cutting edge against a deep-lying defence, the USMNT were in total control of the first leg against opponents who failed to create a meaningful opportunity to score, even when they were at full strength. With that in mind, it would be a surprise to see Berhalter make wholesale changes as he looks to avoid a huge upset.
The 50-year-old will, however, be forced into making at least one change, as Weston McKennie has left the camp and returned to Juventus because of a knee issue. A blow for the United States, who are already without other key figures such as Christian Pulisic, Tyler Adams and Timothy Weah.
Celta Vigo midfielder Luca de la Torre looks to be the man most likely to replace McKennie in the starting line-up, which will probably not see too many other alterations.
Possible USMNT team to play Trinidad and Tobago
Turner; Dest, Carter-Vickers, Ream, Robinson; Musah, de la Torre; Tillman, Reyna, Paredes; Balogun.