Shocking Changes in Starting XI: You Won't Believe Who's Out and Why It Could Cost Us the Game!

The United States Men's National Team (USMNT) is set to face Uruguay in an international friendly match on November 18, 2025, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. Pre-game coverage begins at 6 p.m. ET, with the kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. Fans can watch the match on TNT, truTV, Universo, HBO Max, and Peacock, while radio coverage will be available on Westwood One and Fútbol de Primera. Updates will also be shared on social media via the USMNT's official accounts on X and Instagram, along with U.S. Soccer's Facebook page.

Tonight’s starting lineup for the USMNT features a mix of established players and younger talent, showcasing the team’s evolving dynamics. The starting eleven includes goalkeeper Matt Freese, defenders Sergiño Dest and John Tolkin, midfielders Diego Luna and Timmy Tillman, and forwards Haji Wright, Auston Trusty, Alex Freeman, Sebastian Berhalter, Mark McKenzie (captain), and Aidan Morris. The substitutes include notable names like Gio Reyna, Brenden Aaronson, and Ricardo Pepi.

The current starting XI averages 14 caps, with an average age of 25 years and 29 days. Veteran center back Mark McKenzie will wear the captain's armband for the first time in his USMNT career, which caps off 2025 with his eighth appearance—his most in a single calendar year since debuting in 2020. This match will also mark the 13th appearance for Freese, tying the record for the most caps by a USMNT goalkeeper in their debut year, a record previously held by Matt Turner in 2021.

After a recent run of matches, Dest returns to the starting lineup for back-to-back games for the first time since the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals against Trinidad and Tobago in November 2023. Meanwhile, Diego Luna makes a significant return, starting for the first time since September 6 against the Korea Republic. He leads the team with three goals and four assists, marking him as a pivotal player in the squad with a total of 16 appearances in 2025.

Tonight’s match features several players eyeing to make their mark. Auston Trusty, in his first appearance of 2025, is set to earn his second career start, while Timmy Tillman takes the field for his second start, following his debut against Slovenia on January 20, 2024. Additional players such as Aidan Morris, John Tolkin, and Haji Wright are also making their second starts of the year, with Wright notably having scored both goals in his last match against Australia in September.

The USMNT has a historical record of 2 wins, 3 losses, and 4 draws against Uruguay, with their series dating back to the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris, where they first faced off. This match is particularly meaningful as it marks the team’s return to Raymond James Stadium, where they have a record of 4 wins and 2 losses, their last match at this venue occurring on October 11, 2018, against Colombia.

As the USMNT continues to develop its roster with a mix of experienced players and promising newcomers, tonight’s match against Uruguay will provide an opportunity to assess the team’s progress and cohesion in preparation for future competitions. Fans will be eagerly watching as this young squad aims to build on its potential and strengthen its presence on the international stage.