
<p>The 2022 World Cup is in the rear-view mirror.&nbsp;Hence, it’s time for the US Men’s National Team (USMNT) to turn its attention to the 2026 World Cup, to be played here in the United States alongside Mexico and Canada.&nbsp; </p>



<p>Given the unique timing of the Qatar World Cup, the annual January camp for the United States also represents the first games of the new World Cup cycle.&nbsp; Unfortunately, this camp begins under a <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/us-soccer-scandal-gregg-berhalter-claudio-reyna-investigation-violence-report/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cloud of uncertainty</a> and a level of drama worthy of a soap opera.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Hopefully, Wednesday’s USA versus Serbia game can bring some much-needed positivity.</p>



<p>Interim boss <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/anthony-hudson-named-temporary-usmnt-head-coach-20230104-WST-414370.html">Anthony Hudson</a> has a job to do.&nbsp; Hudson does have managerial experience.  Unfortunately, his results are poor: 9-11-7 (W-L-D) with the New Zealand national team and 8-28-10 with the Colorado Rapids.&nbsp; His task is a mix of getting results in these two friendlies against Serbia and Colombia, as well as getting young Olympic-age players international experience before a trip to the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris next year.&nbsp;</p>



<h2>USA-Serbia preview: How the USMNT roster looks</h2>



<p>The roster called-in by Hudson certainly leans into the Olympic player pool.&nbsp; Twelve of the players called in are age 23 or younger.&nbsp; Many of the players called up have never played for the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/usmnt-tv-schedule/">USMNT</a> before.&nbsp; </p>



<p>Perhaps most importantly a <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/usmnt-calls-up-three-dual-national-players-for-training-camp-20230118-WST-415999.html">number of the players are dual-nationals</a> and at the center of a tug-of-war between the US and Mexico.&nbsp; The most notable of those are forwards Brandon Vazquez of FC Cincinnati and Alejandro Zendejas (coming off a great game last week for Club America in Mexico City).&nbsp;</p>



<p>And of course, it’s not a January camp without a handful of MLS veterans to round things out.&nbsp; The difference now is that a number of them were on the World Cup roster.  Those guys can serve a mentoring role to the youngsters who’ve never played at the international level before.&nbsp; Among them are players such as defender Walker Zimmerman and midfielder Kellyn Acosta who have 37 and 55 caps respectively.&nbsp;</p>



<h2>Serbian opposition</h2>



<p>Serbia rolls into 2023 off the back of a poor World Cup.&nbsp; They dropped their Group G opener to Brazil 2-0, blew a 3-1 second half lead and settled for a draw against Cameroon, and then lost 3-2 in a back and forth affair in the group finale against Switzerland.&nbsp; </p>



<p>Like the US, the Serbs also have an eye focused on getting experience for their young players.&nbsp; Of the 17 players called in by manager Dragan Stojkovic, only three of them have any international experience.&nbsp; Those three players have a combined four caps for Serbia.&nbsp; Funnily enough two of those guys play in MLS: goalkeeper Dorde Petrovic with the New England Revolution and forward Dejan Joveljic with the LA Galaxy.&nbsp;</p>



<h2>When and where to watch the game</h2>



<p>Wednesday, January 25, 2023<br>BMO Stadium<br>Los Angeles, CA<br>10pm ET<br>Live on HBO Max, Universo and <a href="https://imp.i305175.net/c/330866/1313913/11640" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Peacock</a></p>



<h2>All-Time Series</h2>



<p>Series tied 0-0-1 (W-L-D)</p>



<h2>Last Meeting</h2>



<p>Sunday, January 29, 2017<br>San Diego Stadium<br>San Diego, CA<br>USA 0-0 Serbia</p>



<h2>Current FIFA Ranking</h2>



<p>USA: 13<br>Serbia: 29</p>



<h2>Next US Game</h2>



<p>Saturday, January 28, 2023<br>International Friendly<br>USA vs. Colombia<br>Dignity Health Sports Park<br>Carson, CA<br>7:30pm ET<br>Live on TNT, Telemundo and <a href="https://www.fubo.tv/lp/soccer/?irad=356358&amp;irmp=330866" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fuboTV</a></p>



<p><em>Photo: IMAGO / Ulrich Hufnagel</em></p>


With the 2022 World Cup in Qatar now done and dusted, it's time for the USMNT to go again. Here's our USA-Serbia preview.

ALL POSTS TAGGED "Kellyn Acosta"

Serbia

USA-Serbia preview: 2026 World Cup cycle begins