{"id":12530,"date":"2026-06-17T12:32:36","date_gmt":"2026-06-17T16:32:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/us\/?post_type=news&p=12530"},"modified":"2026-06-17T13:15:30","modified_gmt":"2026-06-17T17:15:30","slug":"usmnt-starting-11","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/us\/news\/usmnt-starting-11\/","title":{"rendered":"USMNT starting 11: how Pochettino’s USA line up at the World Cup 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

The USMNT starting 11<\/strong> took clear shape in the World Cup 2026 opener, and it tells you plenty about how Mauricio Pochettino<\/a> wants the United States to play. In a 4-1 win over Paraguay, the head coach lined up in a 4-2-3-1 built on a ball-winning midfield, attacking full-backs and a front four with pace and end product. Here is how the USA line up, the roles in the side and the tactics behind them. For the full pool of players, see our USMNT roster<\/a> guide.<\/p>\n\n

Pochettino’s 4-2-3-1: the USMNT starting 11<\/h2>\n

This was the XI that started the 4-1 win over Paraguay at SoFi Stadium, and it is the clearest guide to Pochettino’s first-choice side.<\/p>\n

Position<\/th>Player<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
GK<\/strong><\/td>Matt Freese<\/a><\/td><\/tr>
RB<\/strong><\/td>Alex Freeman<\/a><\/td><\/tr>
CB<\/strong><\/td>Chris Richards<\/a><\/td><\/tr>
CB<\/strong><\/td>Tim Ream<\/a><\/td><\/tr>
LB<\/strong><\/td>Antonee Robinson<\/a><\/td><\/tr>
DM<\/strong><\/td>Tyler Adams<\/a><\/td><\/tr>
CM<\/strong><\/td>Weston McKennie<\/a><\/td><\/tr>
AM<\/strong><\/td>Malik Tillman<\/a><\/td><\/tr>
RW<\/strong><\/td>Sergiño Dest<\/a><\/td><\/tr>
LW<\/strong><\/td>Christian Pulisic<\/a><\/td><\/tr>
ST<\/strong><\/td>Folarin Balogun<\/a><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n\n
\"USMNT
The USMNT starting 11 in Mauricio Pochettino’s 4-2-3-1, as the USA lined up in the 4-1 win over Paraguay.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

The spine: Adams and the double pivot<\/h2>\n

Everything starts with Tyler Adams<\/a>. The captain anchors the midfield as the team’s chief ball-winner, and in the opener he won a team-high nine duels at 88% passing, breaking up play and letting the side push forward around him. Alongside him, Weston McKennie<\/a> gives the double pivot legs and a goal threat from deep, the kind of box-crashing runs that brought him 26 goals at Juventus. Behind them, Chris Richards<\/a> and veteran Tim Ream<\/a> bring aerial command and composure, with Ream passing at 93% in the opener.<\/p>\n\n

Attacking full-backs and an inverted Dest<\/h2>\n

Pochettino asks his full-backs to provide the width and the thrust. Alex Freeman<\/a> announced himself with an assist and nine duels won at right-back against Paraguay, while Antonee Robinson<\/a> is one of the most productive attacking full-backs in Europe, with 22 assists in his Fulham career to overlap down the left. That license to attack is balanced by Sergiño Dest<\/a>, a converted full-back deployed on the right of the front three, who drifts infield and beat his man four times in the opener before being rested.<\/p>\n\n

Pulisic, Tillman and Balogun lead the line<\/h2>\n

The attacking quartet is where the USA carry their biggest threat. Christian Pulisic<\/a> is the talisman from the left, a forward whose 38 goals at AC Milan came from an expected-goals figure of just 17.56, and he set up a goal inside a sharp 45 minutes against Paraguay. Malik Tillman<\/a> is the creative hub at number 10, weighing in with an assist and five shots in the opener, while Folarin Balogun<\/a> leads the line as the focal point and took his chance with two goals from five shots. It is a front four built to press from the front and punish in transition.<\/p>\n\n

Pochettino’s bench: game-changers in reserve<\/h2>\n

The strength in depth is real. Gio Reyna<\/a> changed the game off the bench against Paraguay, scoring within minutes of coming on, and Ricardo Pepi<\/a> is among the most reliable super-subs around, with a goal every 80 minutes across his PSV spell. Add Cristian Roldan<\/a> and Sebastian Berhalter<\/a> for midfield control and Tim Weah<\/a> and Haji Wright<\/a> in attack, and Pochettino can change a game without weakening it.<\/p>\n\n

How it looked against Paraguay<\/h2>\n

The opener was the template: a high press, aggressive full-backs, and quick combinations through Tillman and Pulisic to feed Balogun, all anchored by Adams. The result was a comfortable 4-1 win and a performance that backed up the plan. For the marks out of 10, read our USA vs Paraguay player ratings<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n

What is next for the USA<\/h2>\n

Attention turns to Australia in Seattle on June 19, where Pochettino is likely to keep faith with the same framework. See the full squad in our USMNT roster<\/a> guide, the bigger picture in our World Cup 2026<\/a> hub, and the latest World Cup 2026 winner odds<\/a>. Heading to a game? Grab seats with our World Cup 2026 tickets<\/a> guide. More on the team at U.S. Soccer<\/a>. Must be 21+ and present in a state where betting is legal. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.<\/p>\n\n

Wondering how the knockout path works? See our World Cup 2026 bracket<\/a> guide.<\/p>\n\n

What is the USMNT starting 11 under Pochettino?<\/strong>

Against Paraguay, Mauricio Pochettino picked a 4-2-3-1: Matt Freese in goal; Alex Freeman, Chris Richards, Tim Ream and Antonee Robinson across the back; Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie in midfield; Malik Tillman at number 10; Sergino Dest and Christian Pulisic wide; and Folarin Balogun up top.<\/p><\/div>

What formation does the USMNT play?<\/strong>

Pochettino set the USA up in a 4-2-3-1 in the World Cup 2026 opener, with a double pivot of Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie behind Malik Tillman, and attacking full-backs pushing high to support the front three.<\/p><\/div>

Who plays in midfield for the USMNT?<\/strong>

Tyler Adams anchors the midfield as the main ball-winner, with Weston McKennie alongside him in a double pivot and Malik Tillman operating as the advanced playmaker. Cristian Roldan and Sebastian Berhalter offer depth.<\/p><\/div>

How do the USA play under Mauricio Pochettino?<\/strong>

Pochettino’s USA press high, use aggressive overlapping full-backs and build through midfield to feed Christian Pulisic, Malik Tillman and Folarin Balogun, with pace off the bench from the likes of Gio Reyna and Ricardo Pepi.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The USMNT starting 11 and formation under Mauricio Pochettino: how the USA line up in a 4-2-3-1, the key roles and the tactics behind the World Cup 2026 hosts.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3588,"featured_media":12533,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_yoast_wpseo_focuskw":"USMNT starting 11","_yoast_wpseo_title":"USMNT Starting 11: Pochettino's Formation | Squawka","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"The USMNT starting 11 and formation under Mauricio Pochettino: how the USA line up in a 4-2-3-1, the key roles and tactics at the World Cup 2026.","footnotes":""},"tags":[303,302,273],"news-category":[],"class_list":["post-12530","news","type-news","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-usa","tag-usmnt","tag-world-cup-2026"],"acf":{"external_featured_image_url":"","hide_featured_image_pattern":false},"yoast_head":"\nUSMNT Starting 11: Pochettino's Formation | Squawka<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The USMNT starting 11 and 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