
Forwards: Gio Reyna, Anthony Modeste, Julian Brandt
Gio Reyna reminded everybody of what they had been missing throughout the Americans’ injury-filled 2021-22. He replaced the injured Thorgan Hazard early against Copenhagen and took full advantage of the opportunity by providing two assists in what was the best possible outcome for both he and Edin Terzic. His return to the forefront of the attack is timely given the depleted attacking front.
Supporters will feel much better about Brandt’s inclusion after putting together a good run of games following a severely underwhelming start to the season. He’s demonstrated a hunger to retain a place in the lineup and has shown more consistent flashes of the player he is capable of being. A role on the wing is not the most ideal position, but he’ll likely interchange with Reus and Reyna at times in order to compensate for the inability to beat the Leipzig flank with much pace.
The calls for Youssoufa Moukoko to finally be given the chance to start or at least form a striker partnership with Anthony Modeste are only increasing with every passing week. At the moment, it still seems that the veteran Frenchman will be given the nod despite some inconsistencies of his own. Leipzig’s defense has been shaky at best and his physical presence will be relied on in order to exploit it. However, given Marco Rose’s preference for a high defensive line, it wouldn’t be surprising for Moukoko to be introduced early in the 2nd half to provide the pace to keep that high line honest.