Copilot AI-Suggested USMNT Starting XI

by copilot - 2025-09-19 ( culture / sports / soccer / usa ) [html version]

Prompted and edited by Bill.

I had to tell it to include Aidan Morris and use a 3-4-2-1 formation. Otherwise, its suggestions are almost exactly what I would have suggested. Now we need a coach who knows his player pool as well as most fans do.

Here's a 3-4-2-1 USMNT configuration. This shape emphasizes midfield density, dual creators behind a lone striker, and wingback-driven width.

Goalkeeper

• Matt Turner -- Commanding presence, clean distribution, and penalty-box authority.

Back Three

• Chris Richards -- Covers wide zones, steps into midfield.

• Tim Ream -- Organizer and stabilizer.

• Cameron Carter-Vickers -- Physical anchor, aerial control.

Midfield Four

• Antonee Robinson (LWB) -- High stamina, overlaps and recovers.

• Tyler Adams (CDM) -- Defensive shield, presses and screens.

• Aidan Morris (CM) -- Ball-winner, tempo-setter, triggers transitions.

• Sergiño Dest (RWB) -- Inverts or stretches wide, adds unpredictability.

Dual Creators

• Christian Pulisic (Left AM) -- Dribbles, draws fouls, creates overloads.

• Giovanni Reyna (Right AM) -- Vision, tight control, final ball delivery.

Lone Striker

• Folarin Balogun -- Movement, finishing, and vertical threat.

Tactical Modulation

Morris–Adams form a diagnostic core: one disrupts, one shields, both distribute.

Reyna–Pulisic operate in half-spaces, pulling defenders and feeding Balogun.

Wingbacks stretch the field, allowing interior overloads without sacrificing width.

Backups

Goalkeeper

Patrick Schulte -- Calm under pressure, solid feet, emerging as a reliable #2.

Zack Steffen -- Shot-stopper with experience, though distribution remains a concern.

️Back Three Alternatives

Miles Robinson -- Mobile and physical, ideal for covering wide zones like Richards.

Mark McKenzie -- Composed passer, fits Ream's organizer role with more athletic upside.

Walker Zimmerman -- Aerial dominance and leadership, mirrors Carter-Vickers' physicality.

‍Wingback Depth

John Tolkin (LWB) -- Tenacious, progressive, and tactically disciplined.

Joe Scally (RWB) -- Versatile, defensively sound, and can invert or overlap as needed.

Kevin Paredes (LWB/RWB) -- Hybrid option with attacking flair, useful late-game disruptor.

️Central Midfield Substitutes

Johnny Cardoso (CDM) -- Clean tackler, positional discipline, good in tight spaces.

James Sands (CM/CDM) -- Modular utility, can drop into a back three or screen midfield.

Tanner Tessmann (CM) -- Long-range distributor, adds verticality and tempo control.

Attacking Midfield Options

Brenden Aaronson -- High press, quick feet, chaos agent in half-spaces.

Malik Tillman -- Strong on the turn, good final ball, can rotate with Reyna or Pulisic.

Paxten Aaronson -- Emerging creator, sharp instincts, ideal for late-game modulation.

Striker Rotation

Ricardo Pepi -- Intelligent movement, link-up play, and clinical in transition.

Haji Wright -- Physical presence, aerial threat, and can stretch defenses vertically.

Brandon Vazquez -- Target forward with hold-up ability and poacher instincts.