Talk about being thrown right into it. B.J. Callaghan's first game as the U.S. men's national team interim coach? A Nations League semifinal against Mexico. The stakes don't get much higher than that, now do they?
That does add a layer to it all, though. We generally knew what to expect from a Gregg Berhalter-coached team. We came to know what to expect from an Anthony Hudson-coached team during his few months in charge. Callaghan, though? It remains to be seen.
Does he stick with Berhalter's 4-3-3, or does he go with the 4-2-3-1 Hudson turned in the last round of the Nations League? Does he make any big change stylistically to add his own flavor, or does he stick with what this team has done so well through the last four or so years?
That isn't the only question, though. The big one revolves around one player: Folarin Balogun. Does the newly-committed striker get thrown right into the lineup for his debut, or does it make sense to ease him in by giving Ricardo Pepi the start?
GOAL takes a look at what lineup Callaghan should go with for Thursday night's semifinal:
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