Reyna In the Middle? Three In The Back? Projecting USA's World Cup Starters

Mauricio Pochettino’s “Why not us?” mentality and a final 26-man roster have the U.S. buzzing about genuine World Cup hopes at home in 2026.
Big tactical debate: Alexi Lalas pushes a true back five with wing‑backs (Antonee “Jedi” Robinson, Sergiño Dest) and three center‑backs, while Stu Holden’s “wrinkle” drops Gio Reyna deeper in a fluid 3-3-3-1; Folarin Balogun looks set as the No. 9 and Matt Freese vs. Matt Turner remains a talking point.
The U.S. opens June 12 vs. Paraguay (9 p.m. ET), and that match — plus many others — will stream free on Tubi, kicking off a summer of World Cup conversation.