LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 30: Emerson Hyndman of Fulham in action during the Sky Bet Championship match between Fulham and Cardiff City at Craven Cottage on August 30, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Harry Engels/Getty Images)
With the 2018 World Cup fast approaching, the lineup for that World Cup, should the US qualify, will probably look a lot like what we saw when the the US played Mexico and Costa Rica in World Cup Qualifiers back in November. For the 2022 World Cup in Qatar though, the lineup is a lot more wide open. Let’s take a look at what the US could have for a starting XI in 2022:
Ethan Horvath is the goalie for our projected team.
GK: Ethan Horvath- The 21-year-old keeper has recently completed a move to Club Brugge in the Belgian League, after a strong season in the Norwegian Tippelgaen with Molde. Should earn the starting role at Club Brugge, and impress, he could earn the starting role for the National Team a lot sooner than 2022, but I think he’ll definitely be starting in Qatar.
LB: Kellyn Acosta- At just 21 years old, Kellyn Acosta has already played 3 season od regular first-team soccer with FC Dallas of Major League Soccer. He normally operates as a midfielder for his club, but now ex-National Team manager Jurgen Klinsmann had tried out Acosta at Left back for several National Team matches, due to the lack of depth at the position. Acosta performed fairly well, and if he continues to get time at the position, could be the starting US Left back, due to lack of other options.
CB: John Brooks- The Hertha Berlin Centerback put together some incredible performances at last summer’s Copa America, Brooks has proven over the last year to be the US’s most consistent CB. He’ll be just 29 in 2022, and if he’s not Captain by then, he’ll at least be in the Starting XI.
CB: Cameron Carter-Vickers- The 18-year-old dual-national (US and England) is one of Tottenham Hotspur’s most highly-rated prospects, and has impressed in the 4 matches he’s had with their senior team. Should he choose to represent the US, which looks like a good possibility, he has the potential to be starting in 2022.
RB: DeAndre Yedlin- At Right back, we have Newcastle United man, DeAndre Yedlin. After spending last season in the Premier League, Yedlin was signed by Championship side Newcastle United. He’s currently thriving in the Championship, and with his club, the current league leaders should be back in the Premier League next season and should be starting for the US in Qatar.
CM: Emerson Hyndman- The former Fulham midfielder currently plays in Scotland with Rangers, on loan from Premier League club Bournemouth. In his first match with Rangers, the 20-year-old scored a goal and was named Man of the Match. If he keeps performing in Scotland and carries that form back to England, he could be starting in midfield for the US in 2022.
CM: Lynden Gooch- The 21-year-old Sunderland midfielder saw time in Sunderland’s first 8 Premier League of the season and performed well, but went down with an injury in training and has missed several weeks. He’s back training now, and if he continues to show the ability he showed in Sunderland’s first 8 matches, he could be looking for a starting spot in 2022.
LW: Andrew Carleton- An elite prospect, a la Christian Pulisic, Carleton signed a deal with his hometown club Atlanta United. At just 16 years old, Carleton is projected to see some time with Atlanta’s first team this season. I expect him to move to a European club within the next couple of years, and should he realize his potential, should be starting in Qatar.
CAM: Christian Pulisic- Borussia Dortmund’s Christian Pulisic is maybe the best prospect US Soccer has ever seen and continues to impress whenever he’s given an opportunity with Dortmund or with the National Team. He plays as a winger for Dortmund, but he can play as a #10 and played there a lot with the US Youth National Teams. Barring injury, he’s a lock for Qatar.
RW: Joshua Perez- The 19-year-old made his Serie A debut with Fiorentina back in November, and is one of their most promising players. He shows a lot of promise, and if he either works his way into Fiorentina’s first-team or moves to another European club and breaks into their first-team, he’s my pick to start on the right in 2022.
ST: Bobby Wood- After being the leading scorer in Germany’s 2nd division last season, Wood moved to Bundesliga club Hamburg, and has made his presence felt in the Bundesliga this season. He’s scored 6 goals in 15 total appearances for Hamburg so far and has been their best forward this season. He’ll be just 29 in 2022, and if he keeps performing in the Bundesliga, should be starting up top for the U.S. in Qatar.
