USMNT Copa America 2024 squad: Who Gregg Berhalter will take to the tournament

USMNT Copa America 2024 squad: Who Gregg Berhalter will take to the tournament

The Copa America is heading back to the United States and, for the hosts, this summer’s tournament will be a vital measuring stick as we reach the halfway point on the road to the 2026 World Cup.

The U.S. men’s national team will be looking to build on the successes of the 2022 World Cup cycle, and on the road to 2026, this summer’s Copa America will be their biggest test. For years, this group has been desperate to prove that they can hang with the world’s elite; well, here’s their chance. Teams like Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay are up there with the best in the world, and if the U.S. wants to be considered among them, an extended run in this tournament is the only way to prove it.

Back in 2016, the last time the tournament was hosted stateside, a U.S. team under Jurgen Klinsmann put forth a respectable showing. The U.S. made it all the way to the semifinals before being trounced by Lionel Messi’s Argentina, eventually falling in a third-place game against Colombia, too.

A run to the semis will feel like the bare minimum for Gregg Berhalter and co. this summer. He has a talented young group at his disposal, perhaps more talented than any U.S. team we’ve ever seen. As such, Berhalter will need to make some tough choices this summer in terms of his roster selection as he looks to guide the U.S. through a big moment in this group’s history.

So who is on the USMNT Copa America squad? GOAL takes a look at Gregg Berhalter’s preliminary June camp roster…

Matt Turner USMNT 2023

GOALKEEPERS

Matt Turner remains the USMNT’s No. 1, and despite his lack of minutes at club level for Nottingham Forest, it doesn’t feel like that’ll change any time soon. There isn’t quite anyone in position to challenge him at the moment, and his U.S. performances have never shown any sign of dropping off.

Behind him, Ethan Horvath remains the clear backup, although there’s some debate about that third spot. For the June camp, Berhalter has called up TFC’s Sean Johnson – a USMNT veteran – over Inter Miami’s Drake Callender in a small twist.

Name Club
Ethan Horvath Cardiff City
Matt Turner Nottingham Forest
Sean Johnson Toronto FC
Antonee Robinson USMNT

DEFENDERS

At right-back, Sergino Dest was set to be the go-to starter before his untimely injury. Joe Scally is the most likely to replace him as a more defensive option, with other options being Tim Weah and Shaq Moore.

Antonee Robinson is a lock at left-back, while Kristoffer Lund will provide backup on the flank.

Centrally, Tim Ream and Chris Richards seem to be the consensus starters but all three of Cameron Carter-Vickers, Mark McKenzie and Miles Robinson will be competing for minutes this June in an attempt to secure a final roster spot.

Name Club
Cameron Carter-Vickers Celtic
Kristoffer Lund Palermo
Mark McKenzie Genk
Tim Ream Fulham
Chris Richards Crystal Palace
Antonee Robinson Fulham
Joe Scally Borussia Monchengladbach
Shaq Moore Nashville SC
Miles Robinson FC Cincinnati
Weston McKennie USMNT 2023

MIDFIELDERS

The MMA midfield of Weston McKennie, Yunus Musah and Tyler Adams carried the USMNT through the 2022 World Cup, and that trio could very well return this summer. Behind Adams, the U.S. has a new backup No.6 in Johnny Cardoso, while Luca de la Torre is the guy to come in if McKennie or Musah are absent.

The big question remains whether Berhalter will invert the midfield to deploy a No.10. If he does so, Gio Reyna should be the starter, although Berhalter could go with Malik Tillman given his current form at PSV.

Other options include Brenden Aaronson and Timmy Tillman – who are both vying for a roster spot this June camp.

Name Club
Brenden Aaronson Union Berlin
Tyler Adams Bournemouth
Johnny Cardoso Real Betis
Luca de la Torre Celta Vigo
Weston McKennie Juventus
Yunus Musah AC Milan
Gio Reyna Nottingham Forest
Malik Tillman PSV
Timmy Tillman LAFC
Christian Pulisic USMNT 2023-24

FORWARDS

With Reyna and Tillman likely to provide depth out wide, Berhalter can select an extra striker to add some versatility in the No. 9 position. At the moment, those spots will almost certainly fall to Haji Wright, Folarin Balogun, Ricardo Pepi and Josh Sargent – the question is which one of them starts.

Out wide, the options essentially pick themselves. Christian Pulisic will start on the left, while Tim Weah will be on the right; unless he is deployed in a more defensive role.

Name Club
Folarin Balogun Monaco
Ricardo Pepi PSV
Christian Pulisic AC Milan
Josh Sargent Norwich City
Tim Weah Juventus
Haji Wright Coventry City
Berhalter-USMNT

EXPECTED XI

Much of the USMNT XI is pretty locked in. The attack is largely settled, as is the defense, so the questions really lie in midfield.

Does Berhalter go with a 4-2-3-1 to bring a No. 10 into the mix, or does he stick with the trusty 4-3-3 that worked so well all of last cycle? With Adams returning and inching closer to full fitness in time for the summer, we’ll lean toward the latter option, particularly when the U.S. plays against the best teams in the tournament.

That said, we’ll almost certainly see a 4-2-3-1, particularly in the group stages. That can be kept in the back pocket, which is always a good thing heading into a major tournament

USMNT XI (4-3-3): Turner; Scally, Richards, Ream, A.Robinson; Adams, McKennie, Musah; Weah, Balogun, Pulisic.

Daryl Dike injury West Brom 2024

NOTABLE ABSENTEES

Largely, the U.S. has a relatively clean bill of health, particularly with Adams recently making his return from injury at Bournemouth. There are two big absentees.

Dest is the major one, with his absence robbing the U.S. of the team’s starting right-back. Losing Dest is a brutal blow, one which will dramatically alter what this team can do tactically.

Daryl Dike, meanwhile, is also out for the rest of 2024 after suffering his second Achilles injury in as many years.

Name Club Reason
Sergino Dest PSV Injury
Daryl Dike West Brom Injury
Drake Callender Inter Miami Not selected