23 for ’22: Predicting the next USMNT World Cup roster

The U.S. men’s national team is officially done for 2018, and since “The Future” was the theme of this rebuilding year following the epic failure to qualify for the World Cup in Russia, now is the perfect time to look into the crystal ball and project who might occupy the USMNT’s 23-man roster when Qatar 2022 kicks off exactly four years from today.

Provided they qualify, of course. As everyone is now painfully aware, the United States has no divine right to participate in the planet’s biggest sporting event. With Gregg Berhalter expected to be named as the next U.S. manager over the next couple of weeks, the program will finally have some direction and long-term vision. That’s good. But making it back to the World Cup still won’t be straightforward for a team sorely lacking experience, quality and veteran leadership, one that figures to be reminded of its darkest hour constantly over the next 48 months.

Then again, this post is all about anticipating the future. So we’re going to go ahead and predict that the Americans will make it to Qatar. What would the squad look like four years from now? Probably a lot different than the one listed below, to be sure. It’s already changed significantly since June, when we last went through this exercise in stupidity. This is a fool’s errand; things change quick in international soccer; this time four years ago, many diehard fans had never even heard of Christian Pulisic, who on Tuesday became the youngest U.S. captain ever. You have to start somewhere. Here’s our best guess based on the information available right now.

Players listed in order of certainty. Ages as of Nov. 21.

Goalkeepers (3)

Zack Steffen, 23 years old, 6 caps, Columbus Crew (MLS)

A hamstring injury kept him out of the last two games, but Steffen was among the biggest winners of 2018. Uncapped as recently as eight months ago, Steffen has emerged as the program’s No. 1 backstop. That’s not likely to change under his current club coach Berhalter, unless his expected move to Europe this winter goes sideways and he ends up on the bench.

Ethan Horvath, 23, 3 caps, Club Brugge (Belgium)

Horvath was excellent in Tuesday’s 1-0, stoppage time loss the Azzurri, his first U.S. appearance in more than a year. That’s how to take advantage of an opportunity; had Steffen been available, Horvath might not have played at all. Key for the Colorado native is keeping the starting job he just reclaimed with Brugge, and continuing to impress in the Champions League.

Brad Guzan, 34, 60 caps, Atlanta United (MLS)

Guzan’s wealth of experience is vital to this young player pool, and while he didn’t have his best game against England (who did?) his play with MLS Cup contender Atlanta proves that he’s still got it. The huge drop-off in quality after the top three keepers in the pool should keep Guzan in contention throughout the cycle.

Also in contention: Tyler Miller, Bill Hamid, Jonathan Klinsmann, Jesse Gonzalez, Matt Turner, Alex Bono, William Yarbrough

Defenders (8)

John Brooks, 25, 36 caps, Wolfsburg (Germany)

Brooks has yet to find the form that made him look like the future anchor of the American defense at the 2016 Copa America Centenario. Injuries have taken a toll. Even if his stock has dipped over the last two years, though, no other U.S. back can match the Berlin-born center back’s experience or physical gifts. Berhalter will be banking on Brooks’ best years still being ahead of him.

Matt Miazga, 25, 11 caps, Nantes (France)

The Chelsea loanee is struggling with Les Canaries, having lost his starting job after Vahid Halilhodzic replaced Miguel Cardoso as Nantes manager last month. But Miazga, who improved considerably during a two-year loan spell with Vitesse in the Dutch top-flight, has plenty of time to win his place back or find a better fit elsewhere.

DeAndre Yedlin, 25, 71 caps, Newcastle (England)

One of the few World Cup vets on the current squad, the speedy right back’s defense remains suspect and, more worryingly, he has yet to mature into the leader his teammates need him to be despite a resume that suggests he’s capable of taking on a bigger role. That could eventually cost him his starting spot; Yedlin was a healthy scratch against Italy.

Aaron Long, 26, 2 caps, New York Red Bulls (MLS)

Nothing the former USL player did during his first two U.S. games showed that he can’t play at this level. Long was one of the Americans’ bright spots against Italy and in last month’s tie with Peru. He’s good in the air and also has some bite to his game, which matters on a team that is often forced to defend for long stretches against more talented foes.

Antonee Robinson, 21, 6 caps, Wigan (England)

The rangy left back rolled an ankle two days before the match at Wembley and was forced to miss both year-ending friendlies. But Robinson showed glimpses of his potential in the USMNT’s shallowest position pool between his May debut and October, not least an ability to get forward and pick out runners from the flank. Sure, the Everton loanee still struggles defensively at times. But that should improve with experience.

Reggie Cannon, 20, 2 caps, FC Dallas (MLS)

The UCLA product from Chicago played almost every minute for FCD this year, his second as a pro. He parlayed those performances into invites (and two starts, including Tuesday) to the final two national team camps of 2018 and has apparently already surpassed Spain-based Shaquell Moore on the depth chart.

Tim Parker, 25, 2 caps, New York Red Bulls (MLS)

Parker was everywhere in June’s surprise 1-1 draw in France against the eventual World Cup champion Les Bleus but has not played for the U.S. since. Could he get recalled by Berhalter? Parker isn’t the most technical defender, but he excels at the type of emergency defending that the U.S. must do to succeed against elite teams. His familiarity with Long, his center back partner with the Red Bulls, is another plus.

George Bello, 16, 0 caps, Atlanta United (MLS)

The wild card of this roster, Bello will be just 20 when the World Cup kicks off in Qatar. But the Nigeria-born, Georgia-raised lefty has already shown promise with the Supporters Shield runner-up, starting two games at left back and scoring his first pro goal this season.

Bello’s instincts are clearly beyond his years, and he can defend and pass, too.

Also in contention: Shaq Moore, Walker Zimmerman, Chris Richards, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Erik Palmer-Brown, Mark McKenzie, Jaylin Lindsey

Midfielders (8)

Christian Pulisic, 20, 23 caps, Borussia Dortmund (Germany)

Pulisic finally returned to the national team after missing most of the last year and, although he was far from his best, was still probably the top U.S. player in both matches. He’ll be asked to step into an even bigger role next year, both on and off the field.

Tyler Adams, 19, 9 caps, New York Red Bulls (MLS)

Adams continues to establish himself as a key player for the U.S., which dearly missed his defensive range and organizational skills during a terrible first half against England. His looming move to German Bundesliga side Leipzig might set him back initially if he doesn’t immediately win a starting job, although should pay off handsomely for him (and his country) before long.

Weston McKennie, 20, 7 caps, Schalke (Germany)

It’s still unclear whether the Bundesliga standout should play a holding or more of a box-to-box role for the United States. But rest assured that the imposing, ground-eating ball-winner from Texas will be on the field somewhere whenever he’s available between now and 2022.

Kellyn Acosta, 23, 23 caps, Colorado Rapids (MLS)

The hard-running Acosta may have been surpassed by fellow defensive mids Adams and McKennie over the last year or so, but the former FC Dallas mainstay figures to be a valuable backup to both players this cycle. He can also hit a free kick as well as any American when he’s in the mood.

Paul Arriola, 23, 16 caps, D.C. United (MLS)

Look for the versatile Southern Californian to become an important player as the cycle goes on. Not only can Arriola man either wing or play underneath the striker(s), he’s responsible defensively and is one of just a few current national teamers to have participated in World Cup qualifying matches.

Alex Mendez, 18, 0 caps, Freiburg (Germany)

A central playmaker, the ex-LA Galaxy academy product’s ability to do this should get him promoted from the U.S. U-20s sooner than later:

Ulysses Llanez, 17, 0 caps, Unattached

As good as Mendez’s golazo was, winger Llanez has been perhaps the best overall player at the CONCACAF U-20 championship. He’s also perfectly suited to play as a wide forward depending on the formation. Another former Galaxy prospect, Llanez is expected to follow Mendez to Germany when he turns 18 in April.

Romain Gall, 23, 1 cap, Malmo (Sweden)

Gall made his international debut against Italy. And while it’s true that Berhalter cut him from the Crew in 2016, he’s improved significantly since and will be hard to ignore if his white-hot form for Malmo continues.

Also in contention: Jonathan Amon, Marky Delgado, Wil Trapp, Russell Canouse, Cristian Roldan, Sebastian Lletget, Darlington Nagbe

Forwards (4)

Bobby Wood, 25, 39 caps, Hannover (Germany)

Given the lack of viable alternatives, Wood remains the odds-on favorite to lead the line in Qatar for now. His strike rate at the international level (13 goals in 45 appearances) is respectable but he’s had a tougher time finding the net in the Bundesliga, with seven strikes over 55 games. Unless that improves, his days in Germany’s top flight could be numbered.

Timothy Weah, 18, 8 caps, Paris Saint-Germain (France)

Listed as a midfielder by U.S. Soccer, Weah’s future lies not on the wing but up top. The son of former Ballon d’Or winner George Weah has shown flashes of his finishing ability with both the national team and PSG, and should get the chance to hone those skills further when he goes on loan in January.

Josh Sargent, 18, 3 caps, Werder Bremen (Germany)

Sargent scored two goals in his first year at the senior international level — not bad for a guy who has yet to play a minute for his club. He’ll need to break through at Werder (or elsewhere) sooner or later, though.

Jozy Altidore, 29, 110 caps, Toronto FC (MLS)

A healthy, in-form Altidore would be a huge boost to the U.S. this cycle. With 41 goals, he’s a proven commodity at a position that remains razor-thin. That said, Altidore can’t seem to stay on the field; he underwent surgery twice this year. Hopefully the extended rest will help keep him injury-free upon his return.

Also in contention: Jordan Morris, Gyasi Zardes, Christian Ramirez, Sebastian Soto, Andrija Novakovich, Juan Agudelo

Doug McIntyre covers soccer for Yahoo Sports. Follow him on Twitter @ByDougMcIntyre.

More soccer on Yahoo Sports:
• Takeaways form the USMNT’s year-ending 1-0 loss to Italy
• Uncertainty catches up to Americans in embarrassing loss to England
• England reserves rout U.S. at Wembley in Wayne Rooney’s send-off
• Horvath hoping Champions League exploits lead to next USMNT chance