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USA squad for Copa America 2024: Who’s in and Who’s out, Key Players and Predicted Lineup

Team USA was the undisputed top team in North America for several years until recent times, as their stars from the past such as Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey have retired. However, the new crop of players still has several who are highly talented.

Managerial struggles and a lack of consistent competitive games have prevented the USA from achieving their maximum potential. However, this upcoming Copa America 2024 presents the host nation with the opportunity to do something big. Under manager Gregg Berhalter, the team comprises of exciting young players along with experienced heads who have achieved great heights in the sport.

Now, on the back of a rocky last few months where they have won four and lost four games, USA will look to put their best foot forward in the Copa. On that note, let’s take a detailed look at the players coach Berhalter has chosen for the tournament.

Goalkeepers

Turner
Turner is USA’s number one goalkeeper. (Getty Images)

Former Arsenal custodian Matt Turner remains the undisputed number one choice in goal, despite his lack of minutes for current club Nottingham Forest. However, he is unlikely to be usurped owing to his quality when he represents his nation.  

Backing him up as the number two will be Cardiff City’s Ethan Horvath, with Toronto FC’s Sean Johnson being backed to take the third vacant goalkeeping spot in the roster.

NameClub
Matt TurnerNottingham Forest
Ethan HorvathCardiff City
Sean JohnsonToronto FC
Table: Goalkeepers in USA Squad for Copa America 2024

Defenders

Tim Ream
Tim Ream is a lock-in central defense. (Getty Images)

In a unique turn of fortune, team USA are set to be without Sergino Dest, but have plenty of quality full-backs in their ranks who can deputize in his place. They also have quality central defenders in what looks like a well-rounded defensive unit.

Joe Scally is likeliest to replace Dest, with Timothy Weah and Shaq Moore proving to be good alternatives too. Antonee Robinson will start at left-back, with Kristoffer Lund will be the backup.

In central defence, Tim Ream and Chris Richards seem to be the automatic choices, but Cameron Carter-Vickers, Mark McKenzie and Miles Robinson will be breathing down their necks as they all compete for minutes.

NameClub
Joe ScallyBorussia Monchengladbach
Tim ReamFulham
Chris RichardsCrystal Palace
Antonee RobinsonFulham
Cameron Carter-VickersCeltic
Kristoffer LundPalermo
Shaq MooreNashville SC
Miles RobinsonFC Cincinnati
Mark McKenzieGenk
Table: Defenders in USA Squad for Copa America 2024

ALSO READ: Greatest Copa America matches: A Flashback on the Memorable Clashes From the Competition

Midfielders

Dest
Dest will miss Copa America 2024 due to injury. (Getty Images)

In midfield, Weston McKennie, Yunus Musah and Tyler Adams have been mainstays since before the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Team USA look set to carry that combination forward and into Copa America 2024. Two exciting players in Johnny Cardoso and Luca de la Torre are the deputies for this trio.

Giovanni Reyna, Brenden Aaronson and Timmy Tillman are the other options for Gregg Berhalter in midfield.

NameClub
Weston McKennieJuventus
Tyler AdamsBournemouth
Yunus MusahAC Milan
Brenden AaronsonUnion Berlin
Johnny CardosoReal Betis
Luca de la TorreCelta Vigo
Giovanni ReynaNottingham Forest
Malik TillmanPSV
Timmy TillmanLAFC
Table: Midfielders in USA Squad for Copa America 2024

Forwards

Balogun
Balogun is likely to start for USA. (Getty Images)

Team USA have a fairly stacked lineup of strikers as well, who are all fairly young and highly-talented. This will create quite a few selection headaches for Berhalter, with each player making a decent case for being the starter.

Centrally, Folarin Balogun seems to be the first-choice option, while Christian Pulisic and Weah may be deployed on the wings, unless the latter plays in a more defensive role.

NameClub
Folarin BalogunAS Monaco
Ricardo PepiPSV
Christian PulisicAC Milan
Josh SargentNorwich City
Haji WrightCoventry City
Table: Forwards in USA Squad for Copa America 2024

Predicted Lineup for USA in Copa America 2024

As mentioned above, Matt Turner is the likeliest to start in goal considering his considerable run in the first team as the first-choice.

In front of him in defence, Tim Ream and Chris Richards will make the center-back pairing, while Joe Scally and Antonee Robinson will be the full-backs.

Tyler Adams will be deployed in his preferred number six role, while Yunus Musah and Weston McKennie will play as the two eights in front of him.

Out wide, captain Christian Pulisic will start on the left, while Timothy Weah will start on the right, with Folarin Balogun playing centrally as the lone striker. This team will mostly be deployed in the traditional 4-3-3 setup.

USA Predicted Lineup: Turner (GK); Scally, Ream, Richards, Robinson; Adams, McKennie, Musah; Pulisic (C), Weah, Balogun.

Players Missing for USA in Copa America 2024

Four key players will miss the opportunity to represent USA at Copa America 2024 this summer. While they have a relatively clean slate in terms of injuries, certain players have been left out for tactical reasons.

Sergino Dest will miss the tournament owing to an injury he suffered while representing his club PSV Eindhoven. Daryl Dike is also out for the rest of the year after suffering an Achilles injury.

NameClubReason
Drake CallendarInter MiamiNot Selected
Sergino DestPSVInjury
Daryl DikeWest BromInjury
Auston TrustySheffield UnitedNot selected
Table: Major Missing for USA at Copa America 2024

ALSO READ: Costa Rica Squad for Copa America 2024: Who’s in and Who’s out, Key Players and Predicted Line-Up