3 lineup headaches for USA before the World Cup (and how Mauricio Pochettino decides them)

Picking the 26 players who will represent the USMNT is the most immediate concern for Mauricio Pochettino in the weeks leading up to the FIFA World Cup. But even after that, tough decisions await Pochettino and his staff. After that, he’ll have to figure out the 11-man starting lineup before the opening match against Paraguay.

Given the extended time between games (at least during the group stage) and a lack of rotation during last summer’s Gold Cup, the starting 11 that Pochettino chooses for the opening match might not change that much from one game to the next. That makes Pochettino’s initial choices all the more important. With that in mind, here are three of the toughest decisions the USMNT manager faces when putting his World Cup lineup together.

Where to play Weston McKennie

This is what you would call a good headache. McKennie will surely be part of the starting 11 for virtually every World Cup match, barring something unforeseen. But he’s so versatile that Pochettino could have a hard time deciding where to play him. At Juventus, he plays just about everywhere except goalie and center back, and he could potentially fill a variety of roles for the USMNT.

Does Pochettino use him in a double-pivot next to Tyler Adams? Does McKennie end up in a more advanced position, almost playing alongside Christian Pulisic? There were moments during the March international window when McKennie was practically playing as a false nine. Could that be a realistic option in a World Cup?

The answer is likely going to be McKennie playing in a central, attacking midfield position. McKennie is great at making late runs into the box. He can also be good in the air on crosses into the box. With 12 goals in 64 international matches, McKennie is a potential goal scorer for the USMNT, and Pochettino seems to favor playing him in those advanced positions where he can be a threat to score. Such a role will allow McKennie to be a scoring threat, but it will also give him the freedom to move all over the field and play wherever the team needs him based on how each game unfolds.

The center back quandary

There is no bigger headache for Pochettino heading into the World Cup than the center back position. Goalkeeper is also a concern, although Matt Freese seems to have a strong enough hold on that position despite some ups and downs early in the MLS season. The bigger question is which center-backs will be playing in front of him.

Chris Richards is a given, but beyond him, there are questions. If Pochettino wants to stick with the three-back formation that worked so well in October and November, he’ll need two more center backs. Tim Ream feels like a safe bet to play on the left side. But his age and form in MLS are concerns, perhaps opening the door for Auston Trusty, another left-footed player. Mark McKenzie could also find himself there out of necessity.

To the right of Richards, McKenzie is theoretically the leading contender. However, Miles Robinson is also a good fit for that spot. At the same time, Alex Freeman has had some of his best USMNT games playing on the right side of a three-back setup. Joe Scally is also capable of playing that position, and much like Freeman, he could also deputize as a wingback during the World Cup.

Unfortunately, there is no easy answer to this question. However, Trusty’s athleticism and solid performances in November and March could make him a better option than Ream on the left side despite his lack of experience.

Likewise, Freeman has come on strong over the last year and is the better option right now than more experienced players. That leaves the likes of McKenzie, Ream, and Robinson on the bench or off the roster altogether, while Scally’s versatility makes him a useful piece on the bench.

Sergiño Dest or Tim Weah at right wing back

While center back is bound to be a headache for Pochettino all tournament, the Sergiño Dest versus Tim Weah debate is a healthy one. In some ways, it’s a no-lose situation; both are good players who bring a lot to the table. However, since both are good enough to be starters, Dest and Weah could give Pochettino a headache while deciding between the two.

When he’s been healthy, Dest has long been the top choice at right back or wing back for the USMNT. As an attacking player, he can be a handful for opposing defenses. For both club and country, Dest has proven himself capable of creating magical moments that lead to goals, making it hard to leave him on the bench.

Weah, meanwhile, also brings a lot to the table as an attacker. After all, he scored the USMNT’s opening goal at the last World Cup. He’s also considered a more reliable option defensively, which is an area where Dest can struggle, creating messes for other players to clean up. Of course, while Dest primarily plays right back or wing back, Weah can be deployed at other positions.

The answer to this question is that Pochettino will have to take things game by game. In some matches, the USMNT will need to prioritize defense on the wing, making Weah the safer choice. Other times, the USMNT will want to be more aggressive, making Dest the better option.

It could also be beneficial to have Weah on the bench, using him to either shore up the right side defensively when defending a lead or utilizing him in a more advanced position if the U.S. needs a late goal. In that sense, Dest will likely start more games than not during the World Cup. Of course, Weah waiting in the wings will be a nice luxury to have.

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