Analyzing the USMNT Preliminary Roster Ahead of Copa America 2024

The Copa América is coming to the United States next month.

In addition to serving as the prestigious continental championship for South American teams, it's also a critical tournament for the U.S. men's national team.

With the U.S. already qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup as one of the three hosts, this summer's Copa América is one of the last chances for manager Gregg Berhalter to see his team against top-level opposition.

A good performance and U.S. fans may be feeling good vibes about the potential of a historically good finish in 2026. Crash out at the group stage and the coach may be on shaky ground, with expectations higher than ever for the promising generation of star players.

On Monday, Berhalter named a squad of 27 players for buildup contests against Colombia and Brazil. He can trim up to four players off the roster but must cut at least one player before naming his final Copa América squad on June 15.

Who will make the final cut and how is the roster looking? Let's take a look.

Selected: Ethan Horvath (Cardiff City/English Championship), Sean Johnson (Toronto FC/MLS), Matt Turner (Nottingham Forest/English Premier League)

Matt Turner is the No. 1 U.S. goalkeeper until something changes. Despite losing the starting role with Nottingham Forest, the 29-year-old rarely has provided any reason for concern when wearing the U.S. crest on his shirt.

The third goalkeeper is the type of thing fans enjoy debating, but if they end up seeing the field, something has gone wrong. Sean Johnson isn't a sexy rising star, but he's been good with Toronto FC this season.

With the United States sending an under-23 squad to the Olympics in France, the next generation of American goalkeepers—namely Chelsea's Gaga Slonina and Chicago Fire's Chris Brady—will get experience in a tournament setting in the summer.

This trio looks like it will be the goalkeeper crew for the tournament unless something unexpected happens.

Selected: Cameron Carter-Vickers (Celtic/Scottish Premier League), Kristoffer Lund (Palermo/Serie B), Mark McKenzie (Genk/Belgian Pro League), Shaq Moore (Nashville SC; 18/1), Tim Ream (Fulham/English Premier League), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace/ENG), Antonee Robinson (Fulham/ENG), Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati/MLS), Joe Scally (Borussia Mönchengladbach/German Bundesliga)

Fans had been preparing for the absence of Sergiño Dest on the list because of the PSV defender's knee injury, but that didn't make it any easier to see it laid out in black and white.

While the center-back options look strong with Ream and Richards expected to be the pairing, the right-back spot is weak.

With Dest suspended for that semifinal against Jamaica, Joe Scally deputized as the starting right back but had to be replaced at halftime. Berhalter opted for a formation change as he chased the game rather than put in another green fullback to struggle with the Reggae Boyz' speedy wingers and outside backs. The hope is he'll be able to give the U.S. what it needs defensively with enough attacking juice from the wingers and midfielders that Dest's absence can be papered over. If not, Berhalter may have to try a formation tweak, perhaps playing a winger like Timothy Weah in a wingback role.

With Dest out and fellow veteran right back DeAndre Yedlin still working through a hip injury, Moore is the player who could spell Scally or come in if he can't get the job done.

By comparison, "Jedi" Robinson and Lund on the other side provide few worries. But there is understandable concern that teams like Uruguay in the group stage and potentially Brazil or Colombia in the knockout stage will be able to find pressure points in the American back line.

Even so, this could be where 'the cut' gets made, whether Berhalter feels comfortable enough trimming Moore from the squad or bringing four center backs and sending a player like Carter-Vickers or McKenzie for offseason rest or even an overage spot at the Olympics, with fellow center backs Walker Zimmerman and Auston Trusty also being considered for one of those three places.

Selected: Tyler Adams (Bournemouth/English Premier League), Johnny Cardoso (Real Betis/La Liga), Luca de la Torre (Celta Vigo/La Liga), Weston McKennie (Juventus/Serie A), Yunus Musah (AC Milan/Serie A), Gio Reyna (Nottingham Forest/English Premier League), Malik Tillman (PSV Eindhoven/Eredivisie), Timmy Tillman (LAFC/MLS)

As we saw in the Nations League, having a healthy Tyler Adams—even if not at full strength—is a must for the national team. The young "MMA" core of Weston McKennie, Yunus Musah and Adams gives the U.S. confidence and consistency.

Yet, other options are emerging in the middle of the park. Johnny Cardoso was one of the best winter signings in Europe, stunning with how easily he fit in at Real Betis after moving to Spain from Internacional in Brazil.

And, of course, the setup could be a bit more attack-minded as well with Gio Reyna in front of Adams and McKennie. Reyna's winter loan from Borussia Dortmund to Nottingham Forest didn't go anywhere near as well as Johnny's, but Reyna can use the U.S. to ground himself after frustration in England - just like he did in March.

Seeing two Tillmans in the team is a bit of a surprise. Malik was expected after nine goals in 17 games for Dutch champions PSV and several important contributions that didn't lead to counting stats.

But while Timothy has been solid with Los Angeles FC this season, his limited contributions to the national team in the past made it seem more likely a player like Bundesliga-based Lennard Maloney may have gotten the opportunity.

Tillman will need to impress in the June camp or he could be the player cut from the roster.

Selected: Brenden Aaronson (Union Berlin/Bundesliga), Folarin Balogun (Monaco/Ligue 1), Ricardo Pepi (PSV Eindhoven/Eredivisie), Christian Pulisic (AC Milan/Serie A), Josh Sargent (Norwich City/English Championship), Tim Weah (Juventus/Serie A), Haji Wright (Coventry City/English Championship)

Pulisic comes in off of a season that saw him score a dozen goals in more league minutes than he's played in his entire career. The first name on any U.S. squad list he's healthy for, having the AC Milan star in good form heading into the Copa América is a huge boost for the Stars and Stripes.

There are options at center forward, with Balogun the first choice despite seeing his Ligue 1 production dip after his move from Reims to Monaco. A proven scorer who fits perfectly into Berhalter's setup, he will get his chances for the U.S. with Pepi and Sargent behind.

Berhalter said Monday after releasing the roster that he feels Wright is more a winger than a striker. That view means there's no space on the roster for Club América attacker Alejandro Zendejas.

The 26-year-old has been critical for the club as it chases a second consecutive Liga MX crown and has excelled since March when Berhalter noted he was doing all the right things to get on the summer roster. For now, though, it looks as though he's fallen just short.