Connect with us

2022 USMNT Depth Chart

2022 USMNT Depth Chart for World Cup in Qatar

The 2022 World Cup in Qatar is quickly approaching. Who will make the USMNT World Cup starting XI? Below is a 2022 USMNT depth chart of the USMNT soccer by position based on Gregg Berhalter’s starting XI line up. A 4-3-3 line up is expected for the starting 11.

Here’s the World Cup Qualifying 2022 Schedule 

Follow @Chasingacup on Twitter for the lastest in USMNT Roster Updates:

Follow @Chasingacup on Twitter

Predicted Starting Lineup USMNT XI

2022 USMNT Depth Chart Chasingacup.com and Underdog Soccer Podcast

The team of Marcus O’Malley, Matty Knips, Chris Kerr and Vince Maduri from Underdog Soccer Podcast put their aggregated top 5 list together to develop the above starting XI for 2022 USMNT World Cup Roster. 

Watch on YouTube

LISTEN: Underdog Soccer Podcast top 5, 6th edition for the 2022 USMNT Depth Chart

USMNT Soccer Podcasts discussing USMNT soccer news from Underdog Soccer Podcast, US Soccer News.
Last Updated:  August 2021

Goalkeeper Depth Chart

This remains an interesting position for 2021. Historically probably one of the more set positions in US soccer we now don’t know exactly what will happen. Steffen seems to have secured the leading role but with Berhalter so dependent on a keeper with foot skills he’ll need to develop to maintain the spot and his starting minutes will be challenged. He also only plays a few games per season for City, will sitting on the bench slow him down? Matt Turner continues to lead MLS as a shot-stopper and the fan club continues to grow as he had an incredible Gold Cup. Ethan Horvath has Champions League experience was in great form now moved to Nottingham Forrest where he’ll fight to earn his spot on a low end Championship side. Could be a great opportunity to create a highlight reel or a challenge to his confidence, one that the Nations League final gave a major boost to. These top three are all fantastic keepers that we feel great about. Sean Johnson continues to stay in the mix because of his foot skills, along with Bill Hamid. David Ochoa having now committed to Mexico, opens the door for Chituru Odunze and CJ dos Santos among a solid European based young group of keepers.

Top 5

  1. Zack Steffen (Manchester City, EPL)
  2. Ethan Horvath (Luton Town, EFL)
  3. Matt Turner (Arsenal, EPL)
  4. Chituru Odunze (LCFC, EPL)
  5. Sean Johnson (NYFC, MLS)

Right Back

Dest committed to the US and it changed everything, he continues to find success at Barcelona which has only secured his role. Yedlin looked to have lost his depth spot at Newcastle, but a crucial and reinvigorated move to Turkish giant Galatasaray puts him squarely back in the mix. Reggie Cannon, who had a fantastic Gold Cup in 2019 has played well for Boavista in Portugal, but the clubs financial trouble may lead to a move this summer. Reggie had another great Gold Cup final against Mexico in 2021. Cannon and Yedlin will likely battle for the top backup role. Shaq Moore made a name for himself as well during the Gold Cup run and looks to be in the mix. Julian Araujo held off a commitment to Mexico and leads a string of young MLS players that are rising to the challenge including the surprise move to Roma by Bryan Reynolds (former Cannon backup at FC Dallas). Reynolds has played for Roma and been called in a few times already by Berhalter. The youth have been developing and after Dest it’s competitive waters.

Top 5

  1. Sergiño Dest (AC Milan, Series A)
  2. DeAndre Yedlin (Miami, MLS)
  3. Shaq Moore (Nashville, MLS)
  4. Reggie Cannon (Boavista, Primeira Liga)
  5. Bryan Reynolds (Westerlo, Belgium)

Left Back

Robinson is a young speedy player who many have been crying for Berhalter to give more of a chance with his continued play in England’s Championship. Sam Vines has seemed to be in Berhalter’s favor and has put in a fine MLS campaign to back the favor and is now giving Europe a try. Bello had a nice MLS campaign, a solid Gold Cup final against rival Mexico and continues to draw interest from Europe. Joe Scally jumped on the scene standing in for injured players and having a solid performance on the left against powerhouse Bayern in his debut. Jonathan Gómez is young, but has made huge leaps at Louisville City this season and has a bright future in Europe in 2022. 

Top 5

  1. Antonee Robinson (Fulham, EPL)
  2. Sam Vines (Antwerp, Belgium)
  3. George Bello (Arminia Bielefield, 2 Bundesliga)
  4. Joe Scally (Mönchengladbach, Bundesliga)
  5. Jonathan Gómez (Sociedad, La Liga)

Centerback

John Brooks is the rock of this group and there are several names mentioned by fans and this group that could team with Brooks. Richards has long been supported by the pod, now with his past season loan getting a big supporting push from fans and pundits who have doubted where he stood. He needs a move again however or he could slide. Underdog has him paired with Brooks in the starting XI. Mark McKenzie ranked next, looks like the left centerback capable of replacing Ream as Brooks’ backup. Matt Miazga had a great campaign and is a strong contender to stand next to Brooks. Miles Robinson was a rock during gold cup and many are calling for him to start next to Brooks. In all likelihood, he or another younger player like James Sands or Erik Palmer-Brown could jump ahead on this 2022 USMNT depth chart with continued performance and increased challenges at better clubs. Walker Zimmerman, 2020 MLS defensive player of the year had a fine Gold Cup going before injury. There is likely to be several moves for Miazga, EPB & CCV this summer which could shake this list up. It’s certainly going to be an interesting position in the lead up to 2022.

Top 10

  1. John Brooks (Benfica, Portugal)
  2. Chris Richards (Crystal Palace, EPL)
  3. Mark McKenzie (Genk, Belgium First Division A)
  4. Miles Robinson (Atlanta, MLS)
  5. Matt Miazga (Cincinati, MLS)
  6. Erik Palmer-Brown (Troyes, Ligue 1)
  7. James Sands (Rangers, Scotland)
  8. Walker Zimmerman (Nashville, MLS)
  9. Cameron Carter-Vickers (Celtic, Scotland)
  10. Tim Ream (Fulham, EPL)

Defensive Midfield

Tyler Adams has made his name at RB Leipzig and is well respected in the Bundesliga playing on one of the top teams in Bundesliga. There are some who think he may be the best player in our pool and our future captain, and the gap after him is enormous. Acosta had an up and down year, but back-to-back major contributions and fine campaigns in both the Nations League and Gold Cup finals secured his spot in the depth chart. Cardoso is an interesting candidate who is up and coming in the Brazilian league, but a poor performance in Olympic Qualfying and limited playing time have increase his doubters. Otasowie secured a move to Belgium which should find him with increase first team minutes and a better assessment of him. Yueill seemed to be a leading candidate as backup for Berhalter, but his Gold Cup performance and that of his competition in Acosta and young Busio appear to have been a hit to his stock. Busio will be moving to Europe soon and could see a hit or rise to his stock soon.

Top 5

  1. Tyler Adams (Leeds, EPL)
  2. Kellyn Acosta (LAFC, MLS)
  3. Johnny Cardoso (Internacional, Brazil Series A)
  4. Gianluca Busio (Venezia, Series A)
  5. Owen Otasowie (Brugge, Belgium)

Wingers

Another interesting and deep position is the wingers. Pulisic is a global super-star beyond the bounds of “American”. He won the UCL Championship and been a key contributor at Chelsea in several important games. Captain America burying the penalty against rival Mexico was a dream finish for our best player. Weah has looked fantastic, a super sub in the Mexico Nations League final and was a part of winning Ligue 1 with Lille. Brendan Aaronson has played both the wing and inside for RB Salzburg and been a fantastic contributor for USMNT. He may be our best winger in terms of the high press and what Berhalter is looking for. Konrad moved to Marseille and through two matches has looked incredible and in top form. He’s one to watch for. Hoppe and Gioacchini had solid performances on the wing in Gold Cup and add depth. After them it’s a fairly big drop in quality. Paul Arriola and Tyler Boyd are solid contributors and known entities, I’d expect at least one of them in the mix for many of Gregg’s rosters in the next year. Konrad de la Fuente has looked strong and was a starter in the European camp in November. Many are begging for a move, but he seems like he’s on the edge. Cowell is likely headed to Europe when he turns 18 this fall. Mueller, Saucedo, Llanez and Mighten are on a long list of young players hungry to break into this group as well.

Top 10

  1. Christian Pulisic (Chelsea, EPL)
  2. Timothy Weah (Lille, Ligue 1)
  3. Brenden Aaronson (Leeds, EPL) 
  4. Konrad de la Fuente (Olympiacos, Greece)
  5. Matthew Hoppe (Middlesboro, EFL)
  6.  Nicholas Gioacchini (Orlando, MLS)
  7. Tyler Boyd (Beşiktaş, Süper Lig)
  8. Cade Cowell (San Jose, MLS)
  9. Chris Mueller (Chicago, MLS)
  10. Paul Arriola (Dallas, MLS)

Center Midfield

This position is strange because the #8 and #10 can often be interchanged and are often used as essentially dual #8s or #10s. McKennie has been on an unreal level since his move to Juventus, but there are many players knocking on the door behind him. Luca de la Torre, long forgotten by many Americans has emerged and appears to be in Berhalter’s views. He decided to sit out Gold Cup to focus on his club play which may hurt his chances with the Nation Team as Williamson stepped in and was fantastic. Roldan appears to be a trusted resource for Gregg and one he likes to have on his rosters.

Top 5

  1. Weston McKennie (Juventus, Series A)
  2. Luca de la Torre (Celta Vigo, La Liga)
  3. Eryk Williamson (Portland, MLS)
  4. Paxton Pomykal (Dallas, MLS)
  5. Christian Roldan (Seattle, MLS)

Striker

Josh Sargant has been rumored for a move, but nothing has stuck and he’s now scoring with a 2 Bundesliga Werder Bremen. He has lacked goals and scoring opportunities which had USMNT fans rumbling of replacing him. Daryl Dike stock and advocates was on the rise but may have slipped a bit recently as he was quiet towards the end of Gold Cup. Pefok continues his scoring regularity and brings great size and aerial threat to the pool. The 2022 USMNT depth chart after (and including) these top three is murky at best. Zardes is a known quantity and if healthy is likely in the mix. He may not last on this list with the rise of young talent behind him. Ricardo Pepi has had a fine run of form and Matthew Hoppe surprised many being the first American to ever score a hattrick in the Bundesliga. The unfortunate relegation for Schalke might mean more goals or a possible transfer in his future. Gioacchini could slot in up top as well and bring winger depth.

Top 5

  1. Josh Sargent (Norwich, EFL)
  2. Jordan Siebatcheau [Pefok] (Berlin, Bundesliga)
  3. Daryl Dike (West Brom, EFL)
  4. Gyasi Zardes (Colorado, MLS)
  5. Ricardo Pepi (Groningen, Eredivisie)

Attacking Center Mid

Very similar to the #8 this group is oozing with potential, but few established names. Gio Reyna is the best young prospect in the USMNT and is ranked highly among global youth prospects. He could easily play the #10 or at the wing as some prefer. Yunus Musah gave us a teaser in November of his capability and the combination of him, McKennie and Adams may have displayed the strongest central midfield play I’ve ever seen on a US XI. Green continues to be on fire scoring goals and scored a game-winner to lead his club back to the Bundesliga.  Caden Clark continues to impress since returning to play with MLS side NYRB and has appeared on the scorer’s sheet a few times so far this season. He could be headed to RB Leipzig in the January transfer window. Lletget has been a regular for Gregg, while a wealth of youth in Holland and MLS are hungry for an opportunity in the crest. Gianluca Busio playing in a deeper role has done fantastic for SKC, but could slot inside in front of a #6. RB Salzburg has tested Aaronson back in a more central role as oppose to the wing he play for them last season. An exciting young group and Richy Ledezma expected back to challenge in the future.

Top 5

  1. Gio Reyna (Dortmund, Bundesliga)
  2. Yunus Musah (Valencia, La Liga)
  3. Julian Green (Greuther Fürth, Bundesliga)
  4. Sebastian Lletget (Dallas, MLS)
  5. Caden Clark (NYRB, MLS)NashvilTlyGroningen