Stars And Stripes Column: Who I Would Bring To The World Cup

So despite all these leaks from Mauricio Pochettino's squad coming out, I wanted to write a column about the squad I want to bring if I was the manager of USA. I'll explain later as to why I bring certain players in and I'll write a column later with a reaction to Pochettino's team selections. So, here it goes.

Goalkeeper

Matt Freese

Matt Turner

Chris Brady

Fullbacks

Sergino Dest

Antonee Robinson

Joe Scally

Alex Freeman

Centerbacks

Chris Richards

Cameron Carter-Vickers

Auston Trusty

Mark McKenzie

Midfielders

Tanner Tessmann

Weston McKennie

Tyler Adams

Yunus Musah

Gianluca Busio

Wingers/Strikers

Christian Pulisic

Tim Weah

Alex Zendejas

Brendan Aaronson

Malik Tillman

Gio Reyna

Folarin Balogun

Josh Sargent

Ricardo Pepi

Haji Wright

The goalkeepers are pretty much self explanatory. Brady has impressed them and myself so much that I think he should be included. Freese is likely the starter, but Turner is going to challenge him.

The backs are a bit controversial here, I know, but I personally believe in Trusty and Carter-Vickers especially as backups. Sorry Tim Ream, I know your veteran leadership helps, but your decline is noticeable and a younger player needs to take your place. If Noahkai Banks would actually select whom he wants to represent, then I'd have him in there as a fifth centerback. Otherwise, I don't see many people making arguments here.

As for the midfielders, if Johnny Cardoso had not gotten injured, Busio does not make it, but I personally think Busio is a good, solid player who deserves a lot of consideration. Lots of fans would make a case for Aidan Morris and I considered him, but I just felt like Busio brings a lot more. Musah, despite his poor form, should not be a shocker as there's a lot of midfielders Pochettino values that are clearly not good and not better than him. It's not even debatable.

As for the strikers, yes I brought four and a lot of people will find that crazy, but the reason behind that is because I think the team has a secret weapon amongst the four of them and another one who could be used differently in a tactical sense. But that article is for another day. I get it, Sargent is very controversial, but I still like his profile and think he offers more than some others. I just hate how he left England.

What pains me is the players I left out. For the centerbacks, George Campbell, Max Dietz, Banks, Josh Wynder, and Erik Palmer-Brown offer a lot, but I want them to keep plugging along because the more competition there is for these spots, the better the program gets. For the fullbacks, Bryan Reynolds, George Bello, Kristoffer Lund, John Tolkin, and Caleb Wiley (had the US been smart, Richy Ledezma would be one of these). As for the midfielders, Lennard Maloney, James Sands, Paxton Aaronson, Morris, and Luca de la Torre (and obviously Cardoso simply because of his injury). One midfielder that needs to be talked about and I follow closely is Rokas Pukstas as I believe he deserves some consideration. In the wingers/forwards, Kevin Paredes, Griffin Yow, Luca Koleosho (yes, I know, he still hasn't decided either), Jordan Pefok, Damion Downs, Darryl Dike, and Cole Campbell. And lastly, for the goalkeepers, Zack Steffen (yeesh what a fall he had), Roman Celentano (I'm biased here since I'm an FC Cincinnati fan), Ethan Horvath, Diego Kochen, and Gaga Slonina. One name people will be shocked I haven't listed is Patrick Agyemang. Yes, his numbers did look good before his injury and while he should get consideration, I don't rate him. Agyemang is powerful in the box, but that's his only way he can contribute and you need players who can feed him well. His footwork is terrible and his abilities are limited.

So as you can see here, I value depth when it comes to some of my tactics. If Banks had already selected playing for the US, I'd take Busio out of the squad. If Cardoso was healthy, obviously Busio wouldn't have a spot here. I am not sure why the US never wanted anything to do with Ledezma as he provides positional flexibility and if he had stuck with playing here, he would be in over Busio. I think a case could be made for including Morris over Sargent, but that doesn't fit my tactical decision making despite rating him. There's a case to be made for some of the others here too, but I personally think this should be the side to play for the World Cup.

Next column that will come out is my reaction to Pochettino's squad. If the leaks are true, then I have some issues with a lot of his selections. I am the firm believer in bringing the best possible roster or at least the best possible to fit your tactics. Yes, there always will be controversial decisions, but there are some that are so egregious that it doesn't make sense that there are better players who fit someone's tactics.