US Olympic Qualifying Deep Dive Finale: The 11

 This is where it all comes together; building an 11 that can dominate any team in CONCACAF and secure the first qualification in two cycles. I can't help but feel optimistic due to the level of talent across the board.

Hopefully looking at these players from a statistical perspective provided depth that wouldn't be there otherwise. Some players can fade in media discussion because they aren't quite as glamorous, but their actual production is solid and worth recognizing. Other times media darlings aren't quite what they're made out to be. It's worth taking a closer look.

Of the U20 eligible players (13 of the 55) the only one who is ready now is Efrain Alvarez. The rest need more time, and to work on gaps in their game. The remaining players are a quite strong group and the selection decisions are difficult.

Aside from talent and ability, which is the first consideration, there are other issue to take into account. For that reason I will post my preferred 17 (20 is the roster limit, but that includes 3 GKs), but I will also post what I view to be a realistic 17. I don't think Kreis is going to pick exactly the same.

Best 17

RB: Kyle Duncan
RCB: Miles Robinson
LCB: Mark McKenzie
LB: DeJuan Jones
CM: Keaton Parks
CM: Paxton Pomykal
10: Brenden Aaronson
LW: Jonathan Lewis
RW: Efrain Alvarez
ST: Jeremy Ebobisse
Sub 1: James Sands
Sub 2: Aaron Herrera
Sub 3: Eryk Williamson
Sub 4: Kevin Paredes
Sub 5: Ayo Akinola
Sub 6: Jackson Yueill

This lineup could absolutely dominate possession, even against Mexico; there is danger on both wings and a truly talented 10 in the middle to pull strings. Pomykal could push up, Sands could come in as a midfielder or a central defender. The bench players can offer a different look as situation the situation is called on, and are versatile enough to cover multiple positions. There's a lot of experience on the field and plenty of veteran leadership ready to come off the bench as well.

Of course, that probably won't happen. Let's say teams don't want to release too many of their players, and Efra sticks with Mexico and Ayo jumps to Canada. Let's say Pomykal really is out 6 months, and Yueill is on the senior team. What would the team look like then?

Pretty Good 17

RB: Kyle Duncan
RCB: Miles Robinson
LCB: Aboubacar Keita
LB: DeJuan Jones
CM: James Sands
CM: Eryk Williamson
10: Brenden Aaronson
LW: Jonathan Lewis
RW: Handwalla Bwana
ST: Jeremy Ebobisse
Sub 1: Hassani Dotson
Sub 2: Aaron Herrera
Sub 3: Daryl Dike
Sub 4: Donovan Pines
Sub 5:  Djordje Mihailovic
Sub 6: Jesus Ferreira

This is again a solid squad, keeping a lot of the strength from the last group. Every MLS team would send no more than 1 player to this team, which made for some tough decisions.

No matter what, the bare minimum should be qualification. The USA was lucky to draw Mexico as it guarantees they will not face them in the elimination rounds. Canada, Haiti, Honduras, and El Salvador are the potential elimination game opponents, and none of them would be favored to win. To avoid an upset, the team needs a clear identity and a plan to dominate from the outset.



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