Folarin Balogun leads the line! Who the USMNT should start in the Nations League semifinal vs Mexico

These will be important minutes once again for Turner, who hasn't really had much to do at Arsenal over the last six months. Because of that, every start takes on extra importance, especially ones in big games like this.

Turner's first-choice status is beyond doubt as Sean Johnson is very much a backup and Drake Callender almost certainly isn't being handed a debut in a semifinal against Mexico. So, yeah, Turner it is.

Another player that is basically locked in, Jedi remains the go-to left-back.

Of the two World Cup fullbacks, his spot is significantly more secure, so, while Joe Scally may be lurking as an option on either side, he likely won't be taking the Fulham star's starting spot any time soon.

Because of that, Robinson is a safe bet to start, providing experience and danger on the left-hand side.

It's been two years since Robinson's famous Gold Cup-winner against Mexico and, unfortunately, we haven't seen enough of him since.

His 2022 was ruined by an Achilles injury, which kept him out of the World Cup, but the Atlanta United star is back to his old ways again after a few months of MLS play.

When healthy, it's arguable that he's the best centerback in the pool. Because of that, and his history against Mexico in a big game, he's in.

It could be tempting to play Auston Trusty or Chris Richards here to give them the big-game experience, but Zimmerman is the steady hand here.

If a permanent coach were in place, maybe we'd see a younger guy get thrown to the wolves, but Callaghan is an interim job, and his job is simply to win. Zimmerman is the guy that gives the U.S. the best chance to do just that, so he's the likely starter.

One of the bigger question marks in this lineup, Dest's club form, or total lack thereof, makes this spot a weird one.

Dest has hardly played since the turn of the year, while Scally has been a regular in the Bundesliga for some time. The optimist would see this as a great game to help Dest get back to his best, one he'll be motivated for. The pessimist would say he's a player totally out of form that may not be ready for a cup semifinal.

We'll lean optimistic and say Callaghan gives Dest a go due to his experience and the mismatches he can create thanks to his attacking talent.

We're going with a double pivot here, which is risky given what we've seen McKennie do with that system in Leeds.

Without Tyler Adams, Johnny Cardoso is the only real six in the squad, and he hasn't quite shown that he's ready for this type of game. Still, he's one option.

The other is to start McKennie in a double pivot and play a dynamic midfield, acknowledging that you'll trade the defensive side without Adams for a bit more on the attacking end.

It's a tough decision for Callaghan, perhaps the toughest of any he has to face.

If Cardoso is to come in for anyone, it would likely be Musah. And he isn't the only option here, either, with Luca de la Torre a player that could also start in this spot.

We'll go with Musah for a few reasons. The first is his chemistry with McKennie, which will be vital if the U.S. does, in fact, go with a double pivot. And the second is his pall-progressing ability, which will be key to dealing with any Mexico press.

If it doesn't work, bring in Cardoso as a sub for a bit more defensive bite or De la Torre for a bit more creativity in the final third.

The final member of the midfield trio. Anthony Hudson tinkered with Reyna as a No.10 in the last round of Nations League, but should Callaghan do the same against a much, much better opponent?

Probably, because it remains the best way to get the USMNT's best players on the field. If you want to maximize talent from what you have available, this is the best way to do it. With Adams healthy, it's a different story but, in the here and now, the best way to get the most of the midfield is by inverting it to have a 10 instead of a 6.

For Reyna, it'll be important to do what he's been doing at Dortmund: changing games. From this position, he should be able to do exactly that.

Before getting into transfer season, Pulisic has the chance to lift another trophy with the U.S.

Who could forget that famous picture from the last time these two teams met in the Nations League or the infamous 'Man in the Mirror' celebration on the road to Qatar? Pulisic loves these games. He's a must-start.

Of course, he's here. The man of the moment.

It's a tall ask, getting your debut in a semifinal against the USMNT's biggest rivals, but Balogun hasn't shied away from any occasion so far. After months of hype, it's time to see what the kid has, even if it is very, very important not to get too high or too low because of one game.

It may be tempting to start Ricardo Pepi, given his own good form and familiarity with the team but, let's be honest, Balogun isn't here to be a supersub; he's here to be the No.9 of the present and future.

It'll be interesting to see where Weah plays long-term on the club level.

He's not exactly a potent goalscorer, despite his fantastic finish at the World Cup, so his transition to wingback with Lille was actually something that made sense. He performed well in the position, but it remains to be seen if he'll play there for the U.S. at any point.

For now, we'll put him back on the right wing, where his ability to get to the endline is still vital to how this team plays.