CONCACAF Nations League 2022-23: USA vs El Salvador: Predicted lineup, injury news, head-to-head, telecast

In a top-of-the-table clash with Group D, The Americans take on La Selecta in Orlando's, Exploria Stadium. 

The USA men's soccer team prepare themselves for competitive football for the second time, after a World Cup Round of 16 exit at the hands of the Netherlands, in Qatar. They’re coming off a destructive 7-1 win over fellow CONCACAF group opponents Grenada on the 25th of March., their first competitive match post the World Cup. Coach Gregg Berhalter, opted for a 4-2-3-1 formation, and started the likes of Ricardo Peppi (scored twice) & Weston McKennie (also twice on the scoresheet) besides a start for Gio Reyna after a long time, post-off-field issues surrounding his playing time.

The USA was able to draw against El Salvador in the first qualifier, in the 95th minute on a rain-soaked, muddy field at Estadio Cuscatlán. Jordan Morris was the goal scorer for the USA & helping them salvage a point on the day. 

Although Hugo Sanchez’s El Salvador side isn’t the highest-ranked side to face the USA, they can boast themselves off a very attacking football philosophy to bank on a defensive solidity to produce a result against a USA side in their groove at home. However, they’re coming off a disappointing 0-1 loss to Honduras, albeit in a friendly, and will look to improve & possibly look for an upset.

In the first encounter in the group, They pulled off a win against Granada, 3-1, but have drawn consecutively to the USA side twice (2-2 & 1-1), both results.

Kick-off:

Monday, 27-03-2023, 11:30 pm (GMT)

Tuesday, 28-03-2023, 05:00 am (IST)

USA form (all competitions): W-D-L-L-W

El Salvador form (all competitions): L-L-W-D-D

Players to watch

USA: Christian Pulisic

The Chelsea winger is having a difficult time at the club level with nagging injuries keeping him out of his club’s lineups. Despite not being able to secure a permanent spot with Chelsea regularly, he’s amongst the first name on the team sheet for the USA. He’s coming off a top performance in the latest match against Granada, registering a goal and two assists to help his side win 7 -1 convincingly and will be the key option for his nation again in this tie.

El Salvador: Alex Roldan

Alex Roldan is a player who’s very familiar with the MLS, as he plies his trade with Seattle Sounders. The full-back has a very attacking profile, and being the captain of his side takes on added responsibility. His crossing is always a threat, besides his movement on & off the ball, an area of strength. He’s coming into the international break in good form & recently assisted twice in a 2-0 win over Salt Lake in the MLS. He’s the main threat to El Salvador.

Match Facts

• El Salvador are yet to beat the USA in their entire history, with 11 losses & 3 draws.
• USA have previously won 9 of 13 matches against El Salvador.
• USA have a goal difference of 17-2 in their favour against El Salvador, in the last seven home games.

Team & Injury News

The USA have mostly a strong and healthy squad with a return of talented Gio Reyna after an off-field spat between his parents & coach Gregg Berhalter. Also reselected is Augsburg prospect Ricardo Pepi, as well as the selection of Alejandro Zendejas. The key men missing out are the injured midfield duo of captain Tyler Adams & Timothy Weah

El Salvador will have a trio of siblings available for selection with the most experienced being Cristian Gil, who has nine caps for the senior side, and his younger brothers Mayer Gil and Bryan Gil, who both play for  Colombian club Alianza Petrolera. 

Head-to-Head Stats

Matches – 14

USA wins– 11

El Salvador wins– 0

Draws – 3

Predicted Lineups

USA predicted lineup (4-3-3):

Turner; Dest, McKenzie, Ream, Robinson; Aaronson, McKennie, Musah; Pulisic, Reyna, Peppi

El Salvador predicted lineup (4-3-3)

Gonzalez; Tamacas, Zavaleta, Dominguez, Villalobos; Roldan, Orellana, Duenas; C. Gil, Reyes, Henriquez

Match Prediction

The USA is coming into this one in a must-win scenario, having already dropped points in the first tie back in El Salvador, in a 1-1 draw, back in June 2022. El Salvador will cause an upset and will try to be defensively resolute if they’re to get anything from this game. However, on the balance of the tie, it should be the USA who prevails in this one in a close-fought match.

Prediction: USA 2 - 1 El Salvador

Telecast

India – CONCACAF YouTube channel

USA – Fubo TV, Peacock, TNT

UK – CONCACAF YouTube channel

Nigeria – CONCACAF YouTube channel