USMNT predicted lineup, projected starting XI: Can Malik Tillman and Mark McKenzie push for bigger roles?

When the U.S.A. takes on Canada, a handful of fringe players will get a rare opportunity to show their stuff

By Chuck Booth

Sep 6, 2024 at 2:50 pm ET • 4 min read

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Heading into an international window that is surrounded by uncertainty, there will be opportunities for players to stake their claims to first team roles. Interim manager Micky Varas may only be guaranteed to manage the national team during this specific window due to the pending arrival of Mauricio Pochettino, but uncertainty can bring opportunities for players within the squad.

"We're pretty clear with the players, at the end of the day those three views have to work in sync with each other. You can't go just long term and you can't just go short term. Our job is to move the program forward so players will have the opportunity to to earn that opportunity but we have to win games," Varas said about the goal of the camp. "So if they don't earn it, they will not just be given it. This is the men's national team, it's the highest level for soccer in our country, the highest standard so the balance is providing them with opportunities to come in and compete and giving them a fair shot. That's all they all want, they want transparency and a fair shot at it."

While Varas' comments don't get us any closer to how the USMNT will line up in a camp without Antonee Robinson, Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie, and Gio Reyna, it does provide a lens of how to view the camp. There could be chances to shake up the XI, but if those chances aren't taken, that's when elder statesman like Tim Ream may retain their place in the XI. Through that lens, let's take a look at three players who could benefit from this opportunity.

DEF: Mark McKenzie

After moving to Toulouse from Genk, this camp is quite an opportunity for the left footed center back. He hasn't had a USMNT cap in almost a year since coming off the bench in a 4-0 victory against Oman in September of 2023, McKenzie wasn't involved in Nations League play or the Copa America with Ream being the preferred center back partner of Chris Richards. But with Ream being 36, measures need to be taken to see who can step up in defense. What better time for Mark McKenzie to get a shot than a year after his last cap if he's been showcasing his abilities in training? Comfortable in a back three or a back four, similarly to Richards, it could offer much-needed flexibility to the USMNT back line.

MID: Malik Tillman

Off to a strong start to the season for PSV. Malik Tillman already has two goals and an assist in four matches so far. Now, Gio Reyna's injury may require Malik Tillman's inclusion in the XI for the USMNT. The creative midfielder was involved in 21 goals in all competitions for PSV last season and the USMNT is crying out for more creative attackers to help free up Christian Pulisic and Folarin Balogun. While everything that Tillman tries may not come off, he's someone who isn't afraid to try things. After becoming more familiar with the squad after making a one time switch from representing Germany, now is the time for Tillman to show what he can bring to the international stage.

FWD: Haji Wright

Few members of the American player pool have seen their stock rise as much as Haji Wright. His brace during Nations League is one of the only reasons that the USMNT were able to win it and he's done nothing but continues to perform when with Coventry City in the Championship as well. Though, he's a player whose success off the bench may come as something that hinders his starting chances. This isn't a very deep USMNT squad and being able to bring Wright into matches is a boon for any coach. He's in a place where his inclusion in squads is expected, but it's unknown what exactly he needs to do in order to jump from the 12th man in the squad to one of the first 11. Being comfortable on the left, he could allow Pulisic to take up a central role, but something of that nature may be better to try against New Zealand instead of Canada.

Predicted lineup: Matt Turner, Joe Scally, Chris Richards, Mark McKenzie, Caleb Wiley, Aidan Morris, Johnny Cardoso, Malik Tillman, Brenden Aaronson, Christian Pulisic, Folarin Balogun

Looking at the XI, it's a chance to mix experience with new faces. Players like Wiley and Morris have already gotten chances under Varas at youth levels which makes them natural inclusions into his first senior lineup, but in attack things are in for a bit of a shakeup. Morris, Aaronson and Wright are likely playing for two spots in the XI but if Varas is looking to keep similar tactics to the 4-3-3 that the players are used to under Gregg Berhalter, that's where the lineup above comes in.