USA vs. Portugal: 3 things to watch for

The U.S. men’s national team face Portugal on Tuesday in their first game since qualifying for the World Cup. Here are three things to watch out for.

Following their failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, it’s time for the U.S. men’s national team to hit the reset button. They play Portugal in a friendly on Tuesday with the focus on a new crop of young talent. Here’s a look at three things to keep an eye on, as interim coach Dave Sarachan sends out a new-look starting XI.

The center-backs of the future

The center of the USMNT’s defense is in desperate need of a revamp after Omar Gonzalez, Matt Besler and the other options used in the World Cup qualification campaign failed to do their part and provide a sense of defensive assurance and certitude.

(Many) mistakes were made and it’s time to turn the page to a new chapter. Cameron Carter-Vickers and Matt Miazga should be the main protagonists for this audition. At 19 and 22 years old, respectively, and plying their trade in Europe on loan at Sheffield United and Vitesse Arnhem the two have the credentials needed and will have the spotlight on them on Tuesday night in Leiria.

John Brooks, 24, is as much a certainty at center-back as the U.S. team have at any position on the field for the future, but the other center-back position is up for grabs. Both Carter-Vickers and Miazga are starting for their clubs and should get an opportunity on Tuesday to make their case as the other starting center-back.

Goalkeeper position in play

Prior to the recent disastrous World Cup campaign, goalkeeping had been a staple for the USMNT program. However, we’ve seen Tim Howard age before our eyes, showing a slower reaction time and failure to make the big saves we were used to seeing from him. Brad Guzan has also failed to impress and seems to be on an accelerated path to being just another MLS keeper.

The three goalkeepers keepers selected for the Portugal match are the names expected to compete for the starting job going forward: Bill Hamid, Jesse Gonzalez and Ethan Horvath. Of the three, Hamid should have the edge at this point, based on having more experience than the other two keepers and benefitting from the fact that Horvath’s struggles at Club Bruges have gotten him benched. It’s probable Dave Sarachan will play one keeper in each half. It will be interesting to see which two of the three keepers on the squad will see the field on Tuesday.

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How will the U.S. midfield look without Michael Bracley?

Michael Bradley has been one of the USMNT’s most consistent, reliable starters for almost a decade, but his performances have declined as of late, and it seems unlikely he’ll have a big role to play at the 2022 World Cup, when he’ll be 35.

The main options for the defensive midfield role Bradley staked claim to are Kelyn Acosta, who saw time under Bruce Arena in various midfield roles, and Danny Williams, the Huddersfield man who is at the peak of his career and has been deserving of a chance of a while.

Acosta has youth on his side and is the more likely option. However, if Williams, who at 28 is one of the oldest guys on the team, manages to play at his current level, he should continue to be in the mix. There’s also a new teenage generation fans will want to get a look at.

Weston McKinnie, all of 19 years old, who has emerged as a regular first-team player for Schalke, possesses tremendous potential and will surely be a big part of the team going forward, while 18-year-old Tyler Adams has impressed playing for the New York Red Bulls in MLS.

Whether Sarachan decides to roll the dice with McKinnie and Adams, or stick with a relatively more experienced midfield of Acosta and Williams, is perhaps the most interesting question heading into the USMNT’s first game since their disastrous qualifying campaign for Russia 2018.