Turner
Dest-Robinson-Richards-Jedi
Musah
McKennie-Reyna
Weah-Balogun-Pulisic

Maybe it's because I'm drunk off that XI bossing Mexico, opponent aside, we played so balanced and beautiful. Now, if we're playing an opponent where we we are completely overmatched in talent (which won't be that many teams besides the usual powerhouses), I'd sub Adams in at the 6 for either McKennie, Musah or Weah (with Reyna moving to the wing in that last scenario).

As for the reserves...

GK: Just pick any two that we've used over the years, it doesn't really matter because the only one who really has a prayer of unseating Turner after 2026 is Gaga and that won't be happening anytime soon.

DEF: Scally, McKenzie, Ream, CCV and... Reynolds (?) - If we're solely projecting for 2026, take Ream out and put Trusty in. People are sleeping on what Mark McKenzie did for Genk this past season, arguably the best player on a club that won the league. He's still young too. As for who backs up Jedi, no one has really stepped up, so I guess it's Scally with Dest also being able to play LB. I'm taking Reynolds because I like how he projects, he showed some glimpses in the Gold Cup (also showed some bad things too).

MID: Adams, Booth, De La Torre, Ferreira - Really hoping we have some more midfielders step up this cycle and create some real depth. LDLT is serviceable, but he doesn't really excite me, however I'd have him as a roster lock, because there aren't many others that have really done anything to get a shout. Hell, Booth hasn't done anything to earn it, but he projects really well. Wild card pick here, Ferreira is a better 10 than he is a 9 and we should really give him more work there.

FWD: B. Aaronson, P. Aaronson, Pepi, Sargent - Hot take, Paxten will be a more dynamic player than Brenden by the time 2026 rolls around.

If we're only doing 23-man roster, take out Sargent, CCV (or Ream if this is 2026 projecting) and Booth.

This post was edited on 7/13/23 at 6:57 pm