The United States men’s national team is gearing up for the 2024 CONMEBOL Copa América, which will kick off with a match against Bolivia. This tournament will be a crucial test for the team as they prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on home soil. Coach Gregg Berhalter is faced with the task of selecting the best players for the starting XI.
While fans may have their own predictions about the starting lineup, there is speculation that Berhalter may experiment with new combinations during the tournament. To get an expert opinion, we turned to FOX Sports soccer analysts Doug McIntyre, Stu Holden, and Alexi Lalas, who shared their ideal starting XIs.
Doug’s formation is a 4-3-3 with Matt Turner in goal, Antonee Robinson, Miles Robinson, Chris Richards, and Tim Weah in defense, Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie, and Gio Reyna in midfield, and Haji Wright, Josh Sargent, and Christian Pulisic in the attack. McIntyre believes Berhalter prefers four defenders and highlights the importance of versatile players like Tim Weah.
Alexi’s lineup also features a 4-3-3 formation with Matt Turner, Antonee Robinson, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Chris Richards, and Tim Weah in defense, Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie, and Yunus Musah in midfield, and Christian Pulisic, Josh Sargent, and Gio Reyna in the attack. Lalas emphasizes the potential of players like Tim Weah and the need to maximize the team’s attacking capabilities.
Stu’s XI introduces a 5-2-1-2 formation with Matt Turner in goal, Antonee Robinson, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Chris Richards, Tim Ream, and Tim Weah in defense, Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie in midfield, Gio Reyna in the attacking midfield role, and Folarin Balogun and Christian Pulisic up front. Holden focuses on the team’s strengths in defense and the versatility of players like Tim Weah and Antonee Robinson.
As the team prepares for the Copa América, the analysts’ insights provide valuable perspectives on the potential lineups that could lead the United States to success in the tournament. With an array of talented players at his disposal, Coach Berhalter faces the challenge of finding the right balance and combinations to make a strong impact on the field. The tournament will not only be a test of the team’s abilities but also an opportunity for players to showcase their skills on the international stage.