Anthony Hudson will make some changes on Friday night, but who will he turn to after the big win over Grenada?
There will be changes, that's for sure. How many? Too soon to tell. But we do know that the U.S. men's national team that takes on El Salvador will look at least slightly different to the one that took on Grenada.
Not that they'll want to change too much, mind you, given the result of that Grenada game. A 7-1 shellacking of an overmatched team, although one that saw several USMNT stars step up with big performances.
El Salvador will be a different type of game, a much better team. They drew the U.S. 1-1 the last time these two teams met in June, with the U.S. needing a last-gasp equalizer from Jordan Morris to escape the Estadio Cuscatlan with a point. Hugo Perez, the former USMNT star and youth coach, has El Salvador playing ball. They'll be ready to play.
The U.S., though, know what they'll need: just a point. A draw will be enough to take them to the next round of the Nations League, where they'll look to defend their title. But who will get them there? What players can Anthony Hudson turn to to keep the good vibes going?
Does he start Christian Pulisic, who masterminded the 7-1 win? Does Gio Reyna get another run in midfield or does the U.S. revert to a more familiar shape? Will someone like Alejandro Zendejas or Taylor Booth make the leap into the XI after shining off the bench last time out?
Here's a look at who should start for the U.S. in Orlando on Monday night:
GettyGK: Matt Turner
He barely had anything to do in the last one, but could be kept a bit busier by a much better El Salvador side. Games are important for Turner, who isn't starting regularly for Arsenal and could use all the minutes he can get.
Hudson could be tempted to go with Zack Steffen, who should eventually get a chance to push Turner for his old job, but this is a competitive game, so logic says to go with your No. 1 guy.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesLB: Antonee Robinson
The first of several changes. Joe Scally played a fine game at left-back last time out, but Robinson didn't come all the way out here to not play.
Robinson is very much still the guy at this position and that isn't going to change any time soon.
GettyCB: Tim Ream
It made sense to not throw the USMNT's oldest player into the fray on a messy Grenada field, but we'll give Ream some time in this one.
On form, Ream may be the USMNT's best player at the moment and, against an El Salvador team that should provide a few challenging moments, unlike Grenada, Ream can certainly be counted on to provide some stability at the back.
Getty ImagesCB: Miles Robinson
Hudson said that the plan was to play Robinson one game during this international break, and this is obviously the game.
The USMNT are being cautious with Robinson, keeping on a one-game-per-week schedule alongside Atlanta United. Because of that, we likely won't see him against Mexico in April, and that's okay. When healthy, Robinson will likely be a go-to starter in meaningful games, so getting him fit and feeling good is vital.