Predicting the USMNT starting XI vs. Mexico

MIDFIELDERS: ALEJANDRO BEDOYA, MICHAEL BRADLEY, SACHA KLJESTAN, CHRISTIAN PULISIC

We will climb aboard the Christian Pulisic hype train momentarily, but let’s address the rest of the midfield first. Ale Bedoya recently returned to MLS, signing with the Philadelphia Union. He won’t do anything spectacular, but he works hard on both sides of the field and makes smart decisions.

Michael Bradley is the captain, he has 124 caps with the USMNT, and he has faced Mexico four times in World Cup Qualifying. When he his at his best, the USA are at their best. His form has picked up at Toronto FC, but his recent national team play hasn’t been up to his high standards. USMNT fans will be desperate for a full 90 minutes of the old MB90.

Sacha Kljestan has earned a starting spot in our opinion, but Klinsmann loves Jermaine Jones so this pick is questionable. Kljestan had a great season for the New York Red Bulls, leading MLS with 20 assists. Unfortunately, his nose was broken during NYRB’s playoff loss to the Montreal Impact last weekend, but he claims to be ready to go. Will that be enough reason for Klinsmann to start Jones instead?

And then there’s Pulisic. US soccer fans have learned to temper expectations with young, promising players due to the rate at which these players fail to live up the hype (see: Adu, Freddy). But Pulisic has blown through that firewall: he’s apparently unfazed by the attention, seeming instead to feed off of it. He’s fearless, he’s tough and he’s extremely talented.

His recent form with Borussia Dortmund and the USMNT should guarantee him a starting spot in these two games. Even Klinsmann can’t mess this up (right??). Big clubs have noticed (Liverpool, and maybe even Barcelona). Big media outlets have noticed. Even Juan Carlos Osorio, Mexico’s coach, is worried about containing him.

Pulisic has become the “youngest player to [fill in the blank]” in almost every category for the USMNT (and even some for Dortmund). He has torched Real Madrid defenders and scored a brace in a World Cup qualifier. He’s the most talented USMNT attacker since Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey, and his ceiling is higher. I could keep going, but I think the above will suffice. He’ll start.