Pulisic in, Steffen out: How will USMNT line up at the 2022 World Cup?

Stuart Telford

• Updated: 23 May 2023 08:55 CDT
• 3 min read

Chelsea star Christian Pulisic should lead the USMNT out at the upcoming World Cup in Qatar, but there is no place in the squad for Manchester City-owned goalkeeper Zack Steffen.

Pulisic's club future has looked uncertain at times following his €64 million move from Borussia Dortmund to Chelsea in 2019, but "Captain America" is his nation's undisputed star player, and boasts the most goals among the squad with 21 heading into the competition.

US coach Gregg Berhalter generally lines his Stars and Stripes up in a 4-3-3 formation, with Pulisic on the left flank and Lille's Tim Weah - the son of Liberian president and former AC Milan superstar George - on the opposite flank. Gio Reyna, now following in Pulisic's foot-steps with Dortmund, provides competition when fit.

READ: What is the USMNT World Cup roster?

Leading the line in between them will be Jesus Ferreira. The FC Dallas striker has impressed since electing to represent the USA over his country of birth Colombia, with seven goals in 15 senior caps, to the point that Jordan Pefok and Ricardo Pepi have been left behind at Union Berlin and Groningen respectively.

In central midfield is perhaps where the US have the most strength. Tyler Adams is the highest-valued player in the team at €38.5m, and the Leeds man generally has Juventus' Weston McKennie and Valencia's Yunus Musah for company. Adams' clubmate Brenden Aaronson is the first option off the bench.

The USMNT at the World Cup?

In defence, Barcelona's Sergino Dest - currently on loan at AC Milan - should get the nod at right-back with Fulham's Antonee Robinson on the opposite side. Celtic's Cameron Carter-Vickers, now fully fit, could dislodge Walker Zimmerman from central defence.

READ: Why Dest would be a thrilling addition to Ten Hag's Man Utd

The side is back-stopped by Arsenal goalkeeper Matt Turner, meanwhile. The shot-stopper hasn't been able to displace England's Aaron Ramsdale as first choice at the Emirates since his €6.4m move from New England Revolution last summer, but has done enough to impress Berhalter.

Steffen was the No.1 in qualifying, starting six games as the US finished third in the CONCACAF section behind Canada and Mexico, but he has been perhaps the biggest surprise to be omitted from the squad for Qatar.