Predicting USA's World Cup starting XI and depth chart

That puts pressure on the USMNT, who enter this summer with expectations to lift the sport to another level in their country.

To do so, they'll need to get their selections right. Mauricio Pochettino has been tasked with guiding the Americans through a long run on home soil, and he's got his preferred starters in mind as the team's opening match on June 12 draws nearer.

• Read next | USA's potential route to the 2026 World Cup final

Here is DAZN News' updated projected starting XI for the U.S. in a 4-2-3-1 formation, along with the depth chart by position.

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GOALKEEPER: Matt Freese

This is a real toss up between Freese and Matt Turner, who have both been stellar in MLS this season.

Pochettino is playing his cards close to his chest, but giving the start to the New York City FC shotstopper in the USA's final friendly could be a hint that he intends to start the 27-year-old on June 12.

Depth chart: Freese, Turner, Chris Brady

RIGHT BACK: Alex Freeman

One for the future and the present, 21-year-old Freeman has taken hold of the right back spot and made it his own.

Not bad for a guy who only really became a full-time starter for his former club side, Orlando City, last year before moving to Villarreal during the recent January transfer window.

Depth chart: Freeman, Joe Scally

CENTRE BACKS: Mark McKenzie, Tim Ream

Ream is the captain and thus should be expected to start whenever possible, although his age (38) makes this choice a controversial one.

Regardless, the former longtime Premier League defender will wear the armband, likely next to McKenzie. The Toulouse man will be entrusted to make up for Ream's lack of pace.

Depth chart: McKenzie, Ream, Miles Robinson, Auston Trusty

LEFT BACK: Antonee Robinson

A no-brainer for Pochettino as "Jedi" has established himself as one of the top left backs in the Premier League and will be a force on both sides of the ball for the Stars & Stripes.

Depth chart: A. Robinson, Max Arfsten

DEFENSIVE MIDFIELDERS: Weston McKennie, Tyler Adams

This duo is vastly experienced even though both are still in the prime of their careers.

McKennie and Adams complement each other's skillsets and should be expected to play the bulk of the minutes for the USMNT in this World Cup.

Depth chart: McKennie, Adams, Sesbastian Berhalter, Cristian Roldan

ATTACKING MIDFIELDER: Malik Tillman

The 24-year-old Tillman brings Bundesliga pedigree and a physical element to the position that gives him the edge.

Depth chart: Tillman, Giovanni Reyna, Brenden Aaronson

WINGERS: Sergino Dest, Christian Pulisic

Dest is an attacking force on the right wing, and Pulisic is the best American player of his generation.

Both men will carry the expectations of creating havoc for the opposition whenever they touch the ball, with Pulisic the primary focal point of everything going forward for the Americans.  

Depth chart: Timothy Weah, Alejandro Zendejas

STRIKER: Falorin Balogun 

With much of the attacking thrust shouldered by Dest, Pulisic and Tillman, the No. 9 needs to be athletic enough to keep up and intelligent enough to find spaces to exploit.

Balogun is all of those things, and he's formed a chemistry with his fellow attackers that has earned him the nod.

Depth chart: Ricardo Pepi, Haji Wright

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