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The U.S. men's national team turns up the heat this weekend with a showdown against Mexico in Glendale, Ariz.
The fierce Concacaf rival will provide the Stars and Stripes with their most challenging test of the September–October international window. Though technically a friendly, the relationship between these two sides is anything but cordial. Mauricio Pochettino's squad will need to be firing on all cylinders if they hope to go three for three, having kicked off the break with a 4–1 victory over Peru and a 4–2 triumph against Chile.
The USMNT is riding high on its offensive exploits, while El Tri settled for draws against both Chile and Peru. Still, the No. 10 ranked side in the world went head-to-head with some of the planet's elite teams this year. They drew with No. 8 Belgium and No. 7 Portugal in March, both of whom defeated the No. 16 USMNT (Belgium doing so twice). El Tri then strung together four consecutive victories at the World Cup this summer, keeping a clean sheet throughout. They also came remarkably close to knocking off No. 4 England in the round of 16, pushing the eventual semifinalist to the brink for much of the 3–2 defeat.
A loss to El Tri would not be entirely surprising; however, it would be deeply damaging, given the USMNT has yet to claim a win over Mexico under Pochettino. Conversely, a victory would send a powerful message, confirming that the future of the Stars and Stripes is every bit as promising as advertised.
Pochettino has tinkered extensively with his starting lineups this fall, handing a remarkable 11 players their first international caps; however, he will be expected to field his strongest, most experienced side against Mexico.
Here is how the Stars and Stripes could set up for Saturday night's clash at State Farm Stadium.
USMNT Predicted XI vs. Mexico (4-2-3-1)
GK: Chris Brady—Who should serve as Pochettino's long-term first-choice goalkeeper remains an open question, but so far, Brady is making the most compelling argument. The World Cup third-choice keeper earned his first career start on Tuesday against Chile and produced five saves across 45 minutes of play. The 22-year-old was a commanding and assertive presence in the box, even if he had some difficulty dealing with Chile's threatening crosses. He carries the greatest potential for long-term development.
RB: Alex Freeman—The 22-year-old is an emerging talent that Pochettino places considerable trust in on the right side. Freeman strikes the right balance between contributing to attacks and maintaining defensive responsibilities. The Villarreal man is composed in possession, yet without sacrificing his creative instincts.
CB: Chris Richards—Just nine minutes after stepping onto the pitch for the first time this window, Richards found the net. A trademark leaping header from the Crystal Palace star restored the USMNT's lead in the 72nd minute. Beyond his attacking contribution, the center back brought a calming influence to the defense, which had been too loose with the ball in the first half. He has long been Pochettino's most trusted figure at the back, and the Argentine manager will need him at his sharpest to neutralize Mexico's dangerous attack.
CB: Auston Trusty—Somewhat overlooked during the summer World Cup, Trusty has asserted himself as a key figure this fall. He came on alongside Richards on Tuesday, forming a reliable partnership that Pochettino is likely to deploy from the opening whistle on Saturday. He capped a solid defensive outing with a stoppage-time assist on Mathis Albert's goal.
LB: Antonee Robinson—The dynamic fullback was the least troubled by Chile's compact defensive block, consistently breaking lines with incisive inside runs and well-timed long balls. Robinson remains Pochettino's top choice at left back and has been for some time.
CM: Tyler Adams—The USMNT's midfield looked noticeably rudderless without Adams for much of Tuesday's match. The experienced veteran brings exceptional discipline to the center of the park, playing a vital role in keeping the other midfielders in an effective shape. Without him, several players in the middle, particularly the younger ones, faded from the game for extended periods.
CM: Sebastian Berhalter—The 25-year-old is only beginning to come into his own with this team. Once on the fringes of the squad, Berhalter has rapidly established himself as a regular starter and one of the USMNT's most reliable attacking outlets. He contributed a goal and an assist in each of the last two fixtures. Beyond his offensive output, his energetic, box-to-box style is key to unlocking opposing midfields.
Pick your USMNT XI!
RW: Sergiño Dest—Despite being consistently listed as a defender, Sergiño Dest has evolved into Pochettino's go-to attacking weapon on the right flank. His movement with the ball is a nightmare for defenders and creates valuable time and space for strikers to exploit. He assisted Berhalter's 37th-minute strike against Chile, beating two defenders with skill before delivering the ball across the box.
AM: Malik Tillman—The 24-year-old was the creative engine behind the USMNT's World Cup run this summer and has continued to impress this fall. While capable of operating on the wing, Malik Tillman could be deployed in the No. 10 role, giving Gio Reyna a well-earned break.
LW: Cavan Sullivan—The 17-year-old prodigy was nothing short of sensational on his debut on Saturday, becoming the youngest USMNT debutant since a 16-year-old Freddy Adu back in 2006. Though he saw fewer than 10 minutes of action against Chile, he still flashed his quality, sparking several dangerous moves into the final third. He will arrive rested and ready for another senior start.
ST: Julian Hall—The 18-year-old is in scintillating form and is arguably the best striker available to Pochettino at this moment. Julian Hall found the net again on Tuesday, becoming the youngest USMNT player ever to score in each of his first two caps. Not only does he possess the instincts of a pure No. 9, with an insatiable hunger for goal evident in every moment, but he also demonstrates a maturity in reading the game beyond his years.
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