U.S. national team caretaker coach Dave Sarachan has handed Weston McKennie and Tyler Adams their first USMNT caps as the Americans face Portugal in a European friendly.
Adams, a natural central midfielder who spent the second half of the 2017 MLS season as a right wing back for the New York Red Bulls, will play on the right wing for a U.S. team lacking natural wingers on its roster. New England forward Juan Agudelo will work the left flank.
McKennie will play in a central midfield role and look to carry over his club success into his national team debut as he partners in the middle with fellow FC Dallas academy product Kellyn Acosta.
Huddersfield Town midfielder Danny Williams is back in the fold, and will man the defensive midfield position in the U.S. team's 4-1-4-1 system, making his return after a year away from the national team.
On-loan Chelsea defender Matt Miazga will pair alongside Wolfsburg's John Brooks in the center of defense.
Club Brugge goalkeeper Ethan Horvath will get the start ahead of Bill Hamid and Jesse Gonzalez.
Sarachan handed the starting striker role to Philadelphia Union goal-scorer C.J. Sapong, who finished the 2017 MLS season as the top-scoring American player, with a Union-record 16 goals.
U.S. starting XI: Horvath; Yedlin, Miazga, Brooks, Lichaj; Williams, Adams, McKennie, Acosta, Agudelo; Sapong