I used to do one of these every year or two. Last time was in 2014... then life interrupted my BigSoccer habit. But the talent we have now in Europe, on the top teams in the world... just had to post one for this year. STARTERS CF: Josh Sargent, Werder Bremen, 1. Bundesliga LW: Christian Pulisic, Chelsea, EPL CAM: Gio Reyna, Borussia Dortmund, 1. Bundesliga CM: Weston McKennie, Juventus, Serie A CDM: Tyler Adams, Red Bull Leipzig, 1. Bundesliga RW: Tyler Boyd, Besiktas, Turkish Super Lig LB: Sergiño Dest, Barcelona, La Liga CB: John Brooks, Wolfsburg, 1. Bundesliga CB: Tim Ream, Fulham, EPL RB: DeAndre Yedlin, Newcastle United, EPL GK: Zack Steffen, Manchester City, EPL RESERVES Attackers: Timothy Weah, Lille, Ligue 1 Konrad de la Fuente, Barcelona, La Liga Aaron Johannsson, Hammarby, Allsvenskan Midfielders: Sebastian Saucedo, Pumas, Mexican Primera Timothy Tillman, Greuther Furth, 2. Bundesliga Alfredo Morales, Fortuna Dusseldorf, 2. Bundesliga Geoff Cameron, Queens Park Rangers, The Championship Duane Holmes, Derby County, The Championship Defenders: Reggie Cannon, Boavista, Primeira Liga Chris Richards, Bayern Munich, 1. Bundesliga Matt Miazga, Chelsea, EPL Erik Palmer-Brown, Austria Vienna, Austrian Bundesliga Antonee Robinson, Fulham, EPL Timothy Chandler, Eintracht Frankfurt, 1. Bundesliga Goalies: Ethan Horvath, Club Brugge, Belgian First Division Barcelona, Juventus, Dortmund, Chelsea, Manchester City, Bayern Munich. When you compare this to a even three years ago... mind boggling. Totally stacked Best XI, but reserve depth could be improved beyond the defenders on the list - grizzled vets and several youngsters still breaking through. I'm sure there are a few reserves I missed - feel free to mention them, I'll edit them in.
You have Weah, KDLF, Morris, Niko, Sabi. All of them can play RW and all have more of an upside than Boyd.
Regarding flopping CP and GR, don't have a huge argument with this. Both primarily play on the LW. I put CP as CAM as I believe he actually played that position for the USMNT at times, and Gio is a bit of an unknown quantity in terms of playing CAM (and just generally speaking). He did play more centrally today. I went ahead and switched them. I lean much more heavily towards track record, not upside. That's why I chose Ream over Miazga and Chris Richards on defense. Part of the thought process here is, who is more likely to start an away WC qualifier if it were to be played today? I did consider Lanez, but he really has nearly no track record. He's played one game in the Eredivisie, and got poor reviews; none in the BL. I considered Weah versus Boyd. Weah has played 11 matches in Ligue 1 and scored one goal as a forward. Boyd has played 24 matches in Turkey and scored two goals as a winger and forward. Of course Weah played matches in Scotland as well. Additionally, Boyd has a bit more experience on the USMNT. Finally, Boyd is a more natural winger than Weah. I'd give the slight edge to Boyd, but wouldn't argue with Weah. You can't discount Boyd's red hot start with the Bengals either. In retrospect, perhaps Yedlin would be more likely to start at RW than either of them. Of course he is not seeing a lot of game time right now. Our right side is clearly the weakest part of the YA lineup.
As a reference... the older YA's on the USMNT threads: Fall 2013 https://www.bigsoccer.com/threads/yas-in-the-usmnt-fall-2013.1993661 Spring 2012 https://www.bigsoccer.com/threads/yas-in-the-usmnt-spring-2012.1940695 Winter 2011 https://www.bigsoccer.com/threads/yas-in-the-usmnt-winter-2011.1651478 Summer 2010 https://www.bigsoccer.com/threads/yas-in-the-usmnt-summer-2010.1593326 Winter 2010 https://www.bigsoccer.com/threads/yas-in-the-usmnt-winter-2010.1322281 Summer 2009 https://www.bigsoccer.com/threads/yas-in-the-usmnt-summer-2009.1096896
Past history doesn't play today. If a player has less of a resume but has shown to be way better than the older player then the younger player should get the nod.Too many times we go by goal tally or goal scored against Spain 10 years ago. It should be "What have you done for me lately".
After reading this thread, Hansi Flick realized he had to start Richards at RB for the sake of the USMNT. And Richards promptly looked very competent, tallying an assist and playing well. Thank you, Hansi!