SEATTLE – Mauricio Pochettino’s calculations on how to handle the loss of Folarin Balogun, who received a one-game red card suspension ahead of the USMNT’s Round of 16 match against Belgium, comes down in large part to how willing the manager is to change his lineup as a whole.
Pochettino’s system and starting lineup have been hugely effective so far in the World Cup, including against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32, and he has plug-and-play options.
Those would be Ricardo Pepe and Haji Wright, with Pepe assuming he is at the top of the depth chart.
The PSV Eindhoven striker has a World Cup start under his belt, having started up front with Balogun against Australia, and has seen action in every other game since the USMNT arrived for camp in late May.
He also played as a lone striker in the friendly win over Senegal on May 31, showing good chemistry with Christian Pulisic.
This would be the obvious move, given that Pepe’s performances have been largely unchallengeable and will allow everything else to remain intact.
“His determination and energy was unreal, to be honest,” Tyler Adams said. “I think he had unbelievable performances against the ball. I played with Pepe a lot but what he showed against the ball was great for us, I think, and also for our winger. They don’t necessarily have to do a lot of work. He holds the ball really well and when he’s in front of goal, we know he can score.”
If Pochettino isn’t completely comfortable with Pepe or Wright, things will get more complicated.
The United States could use Pulisic centrally as a striker, something they attempted unsuccessfully in a friendly against Portugal in March, or as part of the attacking line, or in a false nine role.
Weston McKennie has also played as an occasional striker for Juventus this season, and could repeat that role for the United States, although that would take him out of the attacking midfield position in which he has excelled throughout the World Cup.
Either of these ideas would require reorganizing at least some of the lineup puzzle.
Players like Gio Reyna, Alex Zendejas or even Tim Weah, who haven’t seen much action at the World Cup, are not natural strikers, but perhaps they can do the job under these conditions as well.
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These three, along with Brenden Aaronson, could be considered capable of joining the squad either way, should Pulisic or McKennie move to a higher position.
However, Pepe will be the favourite.
“We know that if it is Pepe or Haji, whatever the case may be, he will step up next, and that they will do their job as well.” [Balogun] “I just did it,” Chris Richards said. “I think one thing about this team is we’re a really big family and we’ve shown that throughout the tournament.”
Mark McKenzie has returned to full training after suffering foot irritation in the lead-up to the Bosnia match.
Cristian Roldan has been training with a modified quad strain. Adams did additional reconditioning work instead of a full workout, which he has done before during this camp.