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Nations League and Gold Cup Roster Ideas

 It has been reported that Anthony Hudson favors taking mostly the same squad to the Nations League final four and the Gold Cup to build squad continuity. Since several of our European players have struggled to find the field consistently, it's not the worst idea. I think keeping the core together and rotating a few players in and out would be the best thing to compete in both tournaments. For this roster construction I'm assuming injured players CCV, Tim Ream, and Tyler Adams are out for both competitions. I would assume all three would be sure lock roster players and almost guaranteed starts if healthy. 

Nations League and Gold Cup Roster

Goalkeeper (3): Matt Turner (Arsenal), Zak Steffen (Middlesboro), Ethan Horvath (Luton Town)

Other than adding Gaga or Chris Brady to integrate them into the squad this should be a lock. These three are competent keepers playing at a high level. 

Center Backs (4): Auston Trusty (Birmingham City), Mark McKenzie (Genk), Miles Robinson (Atlanta United), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace)

I almost included John Brooks here, but I preferred two right footed and two left footed center backs. I wouldn't scream at the inclusion of Walker Zimmerman for experience but I think these four are my squad. If CCV and Ream are healthy I'd take them both to Nations League in place of Robinson and McKenzie and then keep McKenzie and Robinson for the Gold Cup. 

Full Backs (4): Sergino Dest (AC Milan), Joe Scally (Gladbach), Jedi Robinson (Fulham), and DeJuan Jones (New England)

Dest, Scally, and Jedi are mortal locks to me. I'd like to see Jones or Tolkin get a good run of play in the Gold Cup. Jedi will need rest and we need a second left back. I would just prefer to not see Yedlin or Moore on either roster. 

MidFielders (6): Weston McKennie (Leeds), Yunus Musah (Valencia), Luca de la Torre (Celta Vigo), Malik Tillman (Rangers), Paxten Aaronson (Frankfurt), Djordje Mihailovic (AZ)

Malik Tillman's status is likely in flux with his injury he sustained against Celtic. If Tillman is down then adding Taylor Booth would be my choice. The real question is going to be who steps up to fill Tyler Adams shoes? My choice would be Yunus Musah. He's more than capable both athletically and tactically. Plus then you could put LDT on the field as well, giving you another playmaker who has had a good run in Europe this season. 

Wings (4): Christian Pulisic (Chelsea), Tim Weah (Lille), Gio Reyna (Dortmund), Brendan Aaronson (Leeds)

Just a solid group. Gio or Brendan could slide into the midfield and you could move Taylor Booth or Alex Zendejas into this squad. 

Strikers (2): Ricardo Pepi (Groningen), Josh Sargent (Norwich City)

Naturally I wanted to include Balogun in this squad, but since he's yet to commit I went for the obvious two in Pepi and Sargent. They're our most complete strikers that give us the best chance to win. 

There are a slew of domestic and youth players you could swap in or swap out, but I think that's the squad that could win you both tournaments. It's not going to be easy. Mexico desperately want to beat us for the first time in four years and Canada equally desperately want to win a tournament. Panama, Costa Rica, Jamaica, El Salvador, and Honduras will all be hungry as well. We're the defending champs of both tournaments, went the furthest of any CONCACAF team in the World Cup, and have the most players in Europe. The target is on our back. We've turned from young up and comer underdogs to the top dogs. Do these guys have it in them to win with those expectations? It's going to be a fun summer. 


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