Alexi Lalas Snubs Usmnt Star In His Preferred 2026 World Cup Starting Lineup

1 jam yang lalu

Former U.S. men’s nationalist squad prima Alexi Lalas revealed his starting XI for nan 2026 FIFA World Cup does not see Timothy Weah.

The Stars and Stripes are hoping to make a connection successful this summer’s tournament, unfolding mostly connected location soil, nether nan activity of Mauricio Pochettino. After finishing retired nan almanac twelvemonth connected a five-game unbeaten tally and receiving a favorable group shape draw successful December, expectations are higher than ever for nan USMNT.

Much of Pochettino’s XI is already group successful chromatic contempt nan manager’s ever-changing squads passim his tenure. Of people nan likes of Christian Pulisic, Chris Richards and Antonee Robinson are going to commencement arsenic agelong arsenic they stay healthy.

Weston McKennie and Tyler Adams besides are a surefire stake successful nan midfield.

Lalas, though, named a mates surprises successful his lineup for nan 2026 World Cup, straying from Landon Donovan and Tim Howard’s preferences for nan team.

Lalas’s USMNT Starting XI for nan 2026 World Cup (3-4-2-1)

Lalas started disconnected by naming Matt Freese arsenic nan USMNT’s starter betwixt nan posts, a astonishment to nary aft nan goalkeeper hit retired seasoned Matt Turner for nan starting spot. In beforehand of Freese, nan USMNT fable predicts a backmost 3 of Miles Robinson, Chris Richards and Tim Ream.

Robinson is nan first head-turning inclusion from Lalas. Although nan halfway backmost is simply a solid, all-around defender, Alex Freeman’s awesome drawstring of performances astatine nan Gold Cup and to adjacent retired nan twelvemonth make him nan favourite to get nan motion successful Pochettino’s backline travel June.

Next up are Sergiño Dest and Antonee Robinson astatine correct wing-back and near wing-back respectively, pinch Weston McKennie and Tyler Adams commanding nan mediate of nan park. The second tore nan MCL successful his near knee backmost successful December, but Adams is expected to beryllium backmost successful clip to decorativeness retired nan 2025–26 play pinch Bournemouth and past correspond nan Stars and Stripes astatine nan World Cup.

The contention comes up apical from Lalas. The erstwhile defender gave nan motion to Malik Tillman, Christian Pulisic and Folarin Balogun, leaving nary room for Weah. Despite his inconsistent minutes and shape for nan nationalist squad successful nan past year, nan Marseille winger is still wide regarded arsenic nan astir trusted action to deploy alongside Pulisic.

Bayer Leverkusen’s Tillman, though, had a breakout Gold Cup campaign that intelligibly near a lasting belief connected Lalas. The 23-year-old recorded 5 extremity contributions successful nan tourney and was a awesome portion of why nan USMNT made nan final, wherever it yet fell short to Mexico.

Only clip will show if Pochettino opts to commencement nan young, breathtaking playmaker complete nan established Weah, but nan bully news is that nan head will person a threat successful either subordinate disconnected nan chair should his squad request a spark.

Lalas’s USMNT Starting XI: Matt Freese; Miles Robinson, Chris Richards, Tim Ream; Sergiño Dest, Weston McKennie, Tyler Adams, Antonee Robinson; Malik Tillman, Christian Pulisic; Folarin Balogun.