With the World Cup just more than 400 days away, GOAL looks at how the U.S. squad might look next summer
The World Cup is inching closer and closer but, after a disappointing performance in the last week's CONCACAF Nations League, the U.S. men's national team has never felt further away. Some of the team's very real issues were exposed during this most recent window, and there are just about 14 months remaining for Mauricio Pochettino and his staff to find the solutions.
That's all on top of the challenges that were expected to come over the next year or so. Just a few months into his role, Pocehttino is still learning about his group, and Nations League losses to Panama and Canada will be the harshest lessons yet.
There are still key players he hasn't seen in his brief tenure, including several that could end up starting for the USMNT in the sumer of 2026. Those include Sergino Dest and Folarin Balogun, both of whom have had long-term injury absences.
Of course, some of this roster picks itself. Christian Pulisic isn't going anywhere. Neither is Antonee Robinson, who was a crucial injury absence during the most recent games. Tyler Adams and and Tim Weah are anchors, if healthy. Outside of a select few, though, it's wide open everywhere else heading into the home stretch of this World Cup cycle.
So who's in and who's out? What are the tough calls Pochettino will have to make? Which youngsters have a realistic shot of making the 23-man squad for 2026? GOAL takes a way-too-early look.
Getty ImagesGOALKEEPERS
GOAL's picks: Patrick Schulte, Zack Steffen, Matt Turner
Pochettino's top three in this spot seem somewhat clear, although the order could very well be changing. Turner has been the guy since 2021, but a lackluster Nations League run has put that into question. It'll all depends on what he gets up to this summer, as a move from Crystal Palace looks even more vital than it did even a week ago.
Behind him are a pair of MLS goalkeepers that will just need to stay in-form to remain in the mix. There are other contenders in the league, for sure, but Steffen and Schulte have stood out and have continued to remain part of Pochettino's project. As things stand, it looks like Steffen is the one just ahead of Schulte at the moment but, again, so much can change here when it comes to form.
One to keep an eye on, though, is Diego Kochen. Teams use their third goalkeeper spot on a rising star fairly often, using it to prep a future No. 1. If the U.S. goes that route, Kochen or Gaga Slonina are candidates.
AdvertisementGettyDEFENDERS
GOAL's picks: Cameron Carter-Vickers, Sergino Dest, Mark McKenzie, Tim Ream, Chris Richards, Joe Scally, Antonee Robinson
We'll start with the fullback position because that's relatively straightforward. If healthy – and that's a big if after both missed for Nations League – Dest and Robinson are the starting fullbacks. The U.S. misses so much in the final third without them providing options from out wide. Behind them, you have the versatility of Scally, who could also play as a third centerback, as well as several midfielders that can slot in at the fullback spots.
That allows you to carry more centerbacks and, right now, that picture is far less clear. The team still hasn't really been able to move away from Ream, which is a credit to him and how smart he is, but is also a warning sign that those behind him need to grow a bit more. Of the rest, Richards is a relative lock, with the other spots up for grabs. For Nations League, they originally went to Carter-Vickers, McKenzie and Trusty, but carrying five centerbacks feels a bit heavy.
Of the younger options, keep an eye on Noahkai Banks, John Tolkin and Caleb Wiley, too, depending on how well they develop with their clubs.
Getty ImagesMIDFIELDERS
GOAL's picks: Tyler Adams, Johnny Cardoso, Diego Luna, Weston McKennie, Yunus Musah, Gio Reyna, Tanner Tessmann, Malik Tillman
The eye-catching name is Reyna because, right now, he's the biggest wild card in the USMNT pool. The chances of him playing a key role next summer are just about equal to the chances of him being left out of the squad altogether
It will all depend on a transfer and, more specifically, how well he plays once he gets one.
There are other options in Tillman and Luna who can provide attacking flair, so no worries there. McKennie, too, could play as a No. 10. Musah, meanwhile, can be a swiss army knife either out wide or central.
As for deeper-lying options, the U.S. still need to see a big game out of Cardoso, but there's still time for that – he also missed this camp with injury. Adams is a lock and we'll go with Tessmann for that final spot.
For those in the mix, Brenden Aaronson is the big exclusion. It's clear that Pochettino wants to see more from him and, at the moment, attacking midfield spots are looking a bit full. Still, the U.S. missed his energy in Nations League, which certainly helps his case for inclusion.
GettyFORWARDS
GOAL's picks: Folarin Balogun, Ricardo Pepi, Christian Pulisic, Tim Weah, Haji Wright
Some really tough calls for Pochettino to make in these spots and, to put it lightly, some major headaches.
The first issue is the lack of wingers and, more specifically, the lack of pace. Pulisic and Weah are locks but, behind them, there aren't that many out-and-out wingers that have made an impression on Pochettino.
Zendejas could if he keeps crushing it in Liga MX, while Wright's recent return to injury would give the team depth both at striker and out wide, should the U.S. go that route. There are wingers in the midfield section but, again, they don't have the "stretch the field" pace the U.S. may need in that spot.
The big exclusion from the forward pool is Sargent. As we all know, forwards are defined by goals and, if he can keep scoring them for his club, that will help his cause.
Yet it's hard to ignore his USMNT drought – stretching back to 2019 – and, more specifically, the fact that Pochettino turned elsewhere in the Canada game after Sargent missed two scoring opportunities against Panama. Add in the versatility Wright provides, and that decision would be a difficult – but it is one that, at least today, makes sense.
As for young option on the rise, keep an eye on Paredes. He could be a game-changer out wide once he gets back into the swing of things at Wolfsburg.
