With Gregg Berhalter getting his first look at a full US men's national team player pool for upcoming friendlies against Ecuador and Chile, the new head coach is opting for some interesting lineup decisions, based on his remarks.
Paul Tenorio of The Athletic (among others) tweeted on Monday that Berhalter planned to play Tyler Adams at right back and DeAndre Yedlin on the wing.
Both players, MLS alums now playing in Europe, are receiving their first call-up under Berhalter. Adams has played a variety of positions in his pro career, including right back, but played the bulk of his minutes when with the New York Red Bulls and now for his current club, RB Leipzig, as a central midfielder.
On Monday's ExtraTime, the gang discussed how Adams would (or should be used), and Armchair Analyst Matt Doyle gave his take on how Adams doesn't quite fit – yet – as Berhalter's No. 6:
Yedlin, meanwhile, has played almost exclusively as a right wingback, although the Seattle Sounders product and current Newcastle United player is renowned for his ability to push forward and get involved in the attack.
Right back has been a position of considerable attention so far for Berhalter with the USMNT, as in his opening two games in charge, he used San Jose Earthquakes defender Nick Lima in a role in which the player toggled between a right back position and a central midfielder. In that regard, Adams getting a run at the position may be less of a surprise than first imagined.
