The US men’s national team begins its road towards the 2026 FIFA World Cup with its traditional January camp taking place during a time of uncertainty with the permanent head coach still undecided.

A friendly against Serbia, to be followed just days later by another against South American side Colombia, will be the USMNT’s first matches after the run to the Round of 16 of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

With the games falling outside a FIFA international window and most of the US starters busy playing important roles for their European-based clubs, it gives the USMNT a chance to hand the up-and-comers an opportunity to prove they belong.

That team is led by assistant coach Anthony Hudson, who takes temporary charge while US Soccer reviews the status of World Cup head coach Gregg Berhalter. The USMNT boss since December 2018, Berhalter is both out of contract after the World Cup and under investigation following the revelation of an incident of domestic violence that occurred over 30 years ago.

Amidst all that turmoil, a young and inexperienced US squad will get a chance to gain valuable international minutes as the push towards a massive World Cup cycle begins to earnest.

MORE: Gregg Berhalter & Claudio Reyna saga explained as USMNT head coach is investigated

USA vs Serbia live stream, TV channel

• Date: Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023
• Time: 10 p.m. ET
• TV channel (Spanish): Universo
• Streaming (English): HBO Max
• Streaming (Spanish): fuboTV, Peacock, Telemundo App

The USA vs. Serbia international friendly will be available to watch in English on HBO Max, the first USMNT match following the exclusive rights deal with Turner Sports, which runs through 2030.

The match is also available in Spanish on Universo, which is streamed via fuboTV. The stream can also be accessed by subscribers to NBC streaming platform Peacock.

Just a few days later, the US will take on Colombia from Dignity Health Sports Park, the home of LAFC’s rival the LA Galaxy. That match will be shown in English on TNT, as Turner Sports will air select games on its cable properties throughout the year.

Good morning from sunny Carson ☀️ pic.twitter.com/QpMjHhEvej

— US Men’s National Soccer Team (@USMNT) January 24, 2023

USA vs Serbia lineups, team news

It’s tough to know how acting head coach Anthony Hudson will play this match, whether he’ll deploy the veterans available to him or whether he’ll swing towards giving kids time.

Fans would be excited to see the young midfielder Paxten Aaronson in action, but the way Hudson spoke about him in the pre-match press conference made it seem like his time has not quite yet come. Instead, expect the more experienced Paxton Pomykal to get a look in the attacking midfield role, ahead of Eric Williamson and Alan Sonora.

Up front, this will be a chance to move forward Matthew Hope to work his way back into the national team fold, with the striker position wide open, or perhaps Brandon Vazquez could get a chance to impress.

USA projected starting lineup (4-3-3): Slonina (GK) — Gressel, Long, Neal, Tolkin — Williamson, Pomykal, Sonora — Zendejas, Vazquez, Sabbi.

#USMNT January camp head coach Anthony Hudson is speaking ahead of tomorrow’s friendly vs. Serbia.

Says it was “shocking” and “amazing” that Club America released Alejandro Zendejas for international duty. Seemed genuinely surprised it came together.

— Kyle Bonn (@the_bonnfire) January 24, 2023

There are very few options for Serbia head coach Dragan Stojkovic with a roster of just 17 players.

MLS fans will recognize the presence of Dejan Joveljic who was exceptional for the LA Galaxy through the middle of last season, scoring 11 goals, with nine of those coming between late May and late August. He is the most-capped player on the Serbian roster with two appearances.

A player to watch is a 21-year-old rising star Marko Ivezicserving as captain of Serbian side Vozdovac and playing key minutes in defensive midfield this season.

Serbia projected starting lineup (3-5-2): D. Petrovic (GK) — Veselinovic, Stojic, Mijailovic — N. Petrovic, Ivezic, Illic, Topic, Pantovic — Joveljic, Stulic.

✈️ 𝗟𝗢𝗦 𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗦 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/d5niZTWKg0

— Fudbalski savez Srbije | FA of Serbia (@FSRbije) January 22, 2023

USA vs Serbia roster, squad

Because this match does not fall during a designated FIFA international window, clubs do not have to release players for international duty.

Therefore, both teams have deployed a fringe roster that does not feature many star players on either side, with European-based players mostly absent.

USA squad vs. Serbia, Colombia

The US squad for this match is incredibly young with a sprinkle of established veterans like Walker Zimmerman, Paul Arriolaand Kellyn Acosta alongside recognizable names Sean Johnson and Aaron Long. But besides those mainstays, there is a host of young talent fans who will be excited to watch his take on the field.

Highly touted Gabriel “Gaga” Slonina, who just moved to Chelsea at 18 years old, is part of the squad and should get a look. Fellow teenager Paxten Aaronsonthe younger brother of Leeds United and USMNT star Brenden Aaronson, is also on the roster after recently moving to German side Eintracht Frankfurt.

There is also plenty of talk surrounding ahead Alejandro Zendejas, who accepted this call-up from the United States as he looks to make a decision on whether to represent the USA or Mexico. Appearing in these two friends would not cap-tie Zendejas to the United States, as only competitive fixtures could serve such a purpose, but a positive camp experience would go a long way in swaying his decision away from the southern neighbours. Having represented the United States at the youth level, Zendejas would need to complete a one-time switch to Mexico in order to be eligible to play for El Tri.

“Me siento orgulloso. Es un honor estar aquí y no todos tienen la suerte y la oportunidad de estar aquí.”

“I feel proud. It’s an honor to be here and not everyone has the luck and opportunity to be here” – @AlexZendejas8

— US Men’s National Soccer Team (@USMNT) January 24, 2023

Serbia squad vs. USA

With the European league season in full swing, Serbia had few options for players to call in given that nearly all of their regulars are in the middle of their club season.

Only three total players on the entire roster have earned a prior senior international cap, and no one has more than two caps to their name.

A host of players are from mid-table Serbian Superliga clubs Vozdovac, TSC Backa Topola, Cukaricki, and Vojvodina who are all significantly behind the top two clubs Red Star Belgrade and Partizan Belgrade in the title fight. A few players are also based in North America, which allows for their availability in this match, as it takes place outside a normal FIFA international window.

Below is The full released roster for Serbia In the January 2023 match against the United States.