With the World Cup just nine months away, GOAL looks at how the U.S. squad might look next summer
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Just three international windows separate the U.S. men's national team from the selection of the 2026 World Cup roster. It's a crazy thought. The tournament is closing in and, after a September that included more experimentation from Mauricio Pochettino, the player pool, in general, remains in a state of flux.
Part of that is by design. Even after the USMNT's 2-0 win over Japan, Pochettino reminded players that the door remains open – and it's up to them to walk through. There are some locks in this player pool, for sure, but Pochettino says spots remain up for grabs, and that there's still much work to be done to finalize the roster.
For someone such as Alejandro Zendejas, who stood out in this September window, it was more of a case of playing himself into contention rather than onto the squad. For someone such as Josh Sargent, who didn't get the goal he so desperately needed, the dream isn't over – even if the window is closing.
Pochettino appears to want some of these battles to come down to the wire, and he wants the winners of them to have earned them when all is said and done.
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 squad for 2026? GOAL takes a look.
Getty ImagesGOALKEEPERS
GOAL's picks: Matt Freese, Zack Steffen, Matt Turner
With his choices for September call-ups, Pochettino made it clear: he wanted another look at Freese. He'll be pleased with what he saw, for sure, too, as Freese made multiple big saves across the two games after being selected to start both – he has now started all eight USMNT matches since the start of the Gold Cup.
At the moment, it's fair to assume that Freese is in pole position for that No. 1 shirt based on these performances, but things can change quickly. The question mark is around Turner, who is back playing again after rejoining the New England Revolution. Since making that move, he's looked more like his old self and, if that continues, he'll surely give Pochettino something to think about going forward.
Let's see what October camp looks like and if Turner can re-enter the fight for that No. 1 shirt. As for the third goalkeeper spot, Pochettino can go in a number of directions. Steffen is an option, of course, and he could very well be in the competition itself if not for a series of untimely injuries. He's one to keep an eye on, too, over the next few months.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesDEFENDERS
GOAL's picks: Max Arfsten, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Sergino Dest, Alex Freeman, Mark McKenzie, Tim Ream, Chris Richards, Joe Scally, Antonee Robinson, Walker Zimmerman
With the new switch to a three-at-the-back system, deployed by Pochettino against Japan, all eyes are on the centerbacks. Richards and Ream seem to be locks. McKenzie, too, should feel good about his spot given his comfort in this system on the club level. Zimmerman, meanwhile, is a perfect late-game closer, and a solid veteran, too.
In terms of depth, there will be a battle, for sure, one that is now tougher for both Carter-Vickers and Trusty due to their lack of Champions League soccer. Does that open the door for someone such as Banks, particularly if he breaks through in the Bundesliga?
At wingback, Dest and Robinson are certainties, while Freeman and Arfsten are capable backups. That leaves Scally, who is in an interesting position as a more defensive option. The good news is that Scally can provide depth at left-back, right-back or as a third central defender, and that type of versatility does make him useful in a World Cup squad.
Getty ImagesMIDFIELDERS
GOAL's picks: Tyler Adams, Johnny Cardoso, Diego Luna, Weston McKennie, Yunus Musah, Tanner Tessmann, Malik Tillman
Most of the external criticism about September's roster selection involved the midfield, which was missing signifiicant talent. Of the leading candidates for the World Cup squad, only Adams and Luna were involved for the matches against South Korea and Japan. This group, then, is very much in flux.
Adams seems set as a starter, but there's certainly discussion about who will line up next to him in a potential 3-4-2-1. Is it it longtime friend and partner McKennie? Is it the dynamic Musah, fresh off a big Atalanta move? Could it be Tessmann given his breakout at Lyon?
What about Cardoso, having made his own big move to Atletico Madrid? More than any other position, Pochettino has major decisions to make in central midfield, due to the wide variety of profiles and skillsets. Tillman wasn't in this camp as he works his way into form after transferring to Bayer Leverkusen, but was the breakout player at the Gold Cup.
Players such as Berhalter, De la Torre and McGlynn have shown things in recent USMNT appearances, while Roldan's form in MLS could carry him to a spot. And, of course, keep an eye on Reyna, who could shake everything up if he breaks through at Borussia Monchengladbach.
Getty ImagesFORWARDS
GOAL's picks: Patrick Agyemang, Folarin Balogun, Ricardo Pepi, Christian Pulisic, Tim Weah, Alejandro Zendejas
Pochettino has tough calls to be make here. Zendejas seems to have played his way in. Pochettino basically admitted as much after his goal against Japan, saying specifically, “He’s in the race for the roster for the World Cup.”
It's easy to see why, too: Zendejas has been fantastic for Club America over the last year or so and can play either as a No. 10 or on the wing. As for other wing options, Pulisic and Weah, of course, are locks, while Luna and Musah, listed among the midfielders, can also help out there in a pinch.
Then there are the strikers. Balogun is a certainy, as Pepi, assuming both are fully fit. That third spot, though, is tricky. If you're going on club form, it's clearly Sargent, but this window did little to ease the doubts about his play with the national team.
Agyemang, meanwhile, has a different profile that Pochettino clearly values. We'll have to see how he fares in the Championship, where go to head-to-head with Sargent on the goalscoring charts.