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The U.S. men's national team opens its 2026 World Cup campaign on June 12 against Paraguay, leaving manager Mauricio Pochettino with limited time to settle on his ideal lineup across two remaining friendlies against Germany and Senegal.
While U.S. Soccer is scheduled to announce the official 26-man roster Tuesday at a live event in New York City, the full squad was leaked three days prior, hinting that the team may be short on genuine central midfield options.
Here, Sports Illustrated examines three potential midfield configurations for this summer—and who should feature in each—some of which may be tested in friendlies or deployed during the tournament itself.
USMNT Midfielders: Reported
3-4-2-1: The Adams and McKennie Duo
3-4-2-1: The Adams and McKennie Duo
The USMNT may be thin on pure central midfielders, but the squad's overall versatility could allow certain players to fill roles they don't typically occupy at club level. In a 3-4-2-1 shape, the wingback positions would likely be filled by Sergiño Dest or Alex Freeman on the right, and Antonee Robinson on the left—with Joe Scally potentially factoring in as well.
With the wider defensive zones accounted for, two central midfielders and two wingers remain, the latter expected to tuck into midfield when out of possession. Pochettino's preferred pairing in this system would likely be a double pivot of Bournemouth's Tyler Adams—who was instrumental in the Cherries' run to UEFA Europa League qualification—alongside the adaptable Weston McKennie.
Both players, arriving in camp from the Premier League and Serie A respectively, possess a strong ability to generate chances and manage transitional phases. This season, Adams recorded two goals and two assists across 25 Premier League outings following his return from injury. Meanwhile, McKennie was deployed across nearly every position for Juventus, establishing himself as one of their most indispensable players—even as the central midfield No. 8 role remains his natural home.
This system would likely allow the USMNT to dictate the tempo of matches and field two of their most influential midfielders, while also giving the expected pairing of Christian Pulisic and either Malik Tillman or Tim Weah more freedom as wide attackers.
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4-2-3-1: McKennie's Versatility, Berhalter's Inclusion
4-2-3-1: McKennie's Versatility, Berhalter's Inclusion
The shortage of genuine defensive central midfield talent could make a 4-2-3-1 a difficult system for the USMNT to execute, yet there is a viable path to making it work—one that could bring key contributors into more prominent roles. It also offers the benefit of a more stable back four and gives natural wide players the chance to flourish with fewer defensive duties than wingbacks carry.
In the defensive midfield, we're placing Adams on the right and Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Sebastian Berhalter on the left. Adams brings attacking intent and adaptability as a holding midfielder, while Berhalter's delivery from set pieces, relentless defensive work, and long-range shooting make him a compelling option against more structured midfields. As a double pivot, the two could complement each other well.
In this setup, McKennie shifts to the right wing to take advantage of his positional flexibility, while Pulisic occupies the left. In the attacking midfield role, the choice falls between Borussia Mönchengladbach's Gio Reyna, if he can rediscover his best form, or more likely Bayer Leverkusen's Tillman, who spent much of the domestic season thriving in that position and embracing its transitional demands.
While this repositions McKennie away from his strongest role, it places Tillman in a more impactful position and incorporates the distinct qualities of both Reyna and Berhalter. That said, a similar approach fell short against Belgium back in March.
4-3-3: Could it Work?
The USMNT came up short against Portugal in March, but a 2–0 defeat to a side widely regarded as a World Cup contender is far from a disaster. That evening in Atlanta, Pochettino opted for a 4-3-3, presenting a fresh look for the USMNT—one that could still prove effective with the current roster.
The back four remains intact, preserving that defensive foundation, while Balogun stays as the lone striker and Pulisic transitions to a pure wide role with the freedom to cut inside. On the right flank, Marseille's Tim Weah slots in, creating more balanced options across the midfield three.
With Weah providing an attacking presence, McKennie could operate in a right midfield role, Adams anchors the center, and Leeds United's Brenden Aaronson potentially fills the left—giving the 25-year-old a meaningful platform after tallying four goals and five assists across 30 Premier League appearances in 2025–26.
At the same time, the formation lends itself to in-game adjustments, with McKennie's adaptability, Pulisic's ability to drift centrally, and a bench capable of altering the team's approach without abandoning the overall structure.