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In just one week, U.S. men's national team head coach Mauricio Pochettino will name the 26 players he will take to the World Cup.
The pressure is squarely on the Argentine to get his selection right as the USMNT embarks on a World Cup on home soil.
Pochettino has already had some likely picks ruled out through injury, but the bulk of his roster appears healthy for now.
Ahead of the May 26 reveal in New York City, here are the 26 players we see Pochettino naming for his World Cup roster:
In the mix: Patrick Schulte, Roman Celentano
Freese and Turner are the clear No. 1 and No. 2, though their order isn't fully set. Freese is obviously the favorite after starting 13 of the USMNT's last 14 games, but Turner did get a start in the last window and has statistically been better in MLS this season.
Brady gets the nod for the third goalkeeper start after a fine start to the MLS campaign with Chicago. The 22-year-old is among the favorites to start at the 2030 World Cup.
In the mix: Joe Scally, Kristoffer Lund, Tristan Blackmon, Walker Zimmerman, Noahkai Banks
Richards is the only lock to start in Pochettino's preferred three-back system, provided he overcomes a recent injury scare. Freeman has emerged as a strong contender to start to the right of Richards, while Ream appears to be the favorite on the left.
Robinson and Dest are the favorites to start at left and right wingback, respectively, with the latter just returning from a hamstring injury.
Dest's return could spell trouble for Scally, who may not be needed with Freeman also able to shift over to right wingback, while Arfsten has been a mainstay under Pochettino and should be able to snag a backup wingback position.
Robinson, McKenzie and Trusty provide center back depth and may just be on the right side of the bubble. Keep an eye on the erstwhile Banks, however, with recent chatter suggesting the 19-year-old could be in the mix after turning down a call-up in March.
In the mix: Yunus Musah, Aidan Morris, Gianluca Busio, Jack McGlynn, Adri Mehmeti
Adams, McKennie and Tillman are the locks in this position. Adams and McKennie are favorites to start after strong European seasons, while Tillman has faded with Bayer Leverkusen. He is still vital for the USMNT at the No. 10, however.
Behind Adams and McKennie, an injury ended Johnny Cardoso's hopes of a securing a holding midfield role. That should benefit two Pochettino favorites in Berhalter and Roldan — though Morris could easily leapfrog either after a strong season with Middlesbrough.
Tessmann is a lock if healthy, but he'll have to overcome a recent injury.
Reyna has been trending upwards of late, though it's still been modest gains for a player who's started exactly zero games in 2026. Still, the Borussia Mönchengladbach man's March call-up and recent form portends a spot on this roster. Luna has been excellent with Real Salt Lake of late and should snag another spot at attacking midfield.
In the mix: Josh Sargent, Alex Zendejas, Zavier Gozo, Julian Hall
Balogun is a near-lock to start at the No. 9 after an outstanding season in France with Monaco, while Pepi is a plus option as a scoring option off the bench. Patrick Agyemang was trending toward making the squad before an Achilles injury ended his hopes.
That opens a spot for Wright, who finished tied for second in the Championship with 17 goals, and will be playing in the Premier League next season after Coventry's promotion.
Pulisic and Weah are obvious candidates to start at wide attacking roles, but the latter could be utilized as a wingback as well.
It could be a tough call behind them, with Aaronson and Zendejas known quantities and teenage MLS duo Gozo and Hall coming on strong. In the end, we see Pochettino favoring Aaronson after his solid campaign with Leeds and ability to put in a two-way shift off the bench.
Goalkeepers (3): Matt Freese, Chris Brady, Matt Turner
Defenders (9): Max Arfsten, Sergiño Dest, Alex Freeman, Mark McKenzie, Tim Ream, Chris Richards, Antonee Robinson, Miles Robinson, Auston Trusty
Midfielders (8): Tyler Adams, Sebastian Berhalter, Cristian Roldan, Diego Luna, Weston McKennie, Gio Reyna, Tanner Tessmann, Malik Tillman
Forwards (6): Brenden Aaronson, Haji Wright, Folarin Balogun, Christian Pulisic, Ricardo Pepi, Tim Weah
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: USMNT World Cup roster prediction under Mauricio Pochettino
Continue reading...
The pressure is squarely on the Argentine to get his selection right as the USMNT embarks on a World Cup on home soil.
Pochettino has already had some likely picks ruled out through injury, but the bulk of his roster appears healthy for now.
Ahead of the May 26 reveal in New York City, here are the 26 players we see Pochettino naming for his World Cup roster:
USMNT goalkeepers: Matt Freese, Chris Brady, Matt Turner
In the mix: Patrick Schulte, Roman Celentano
Freese and Turner are the clear No. 1 and No. 2, though their order isn't fully set. Freese is obviously the favorite after starting 13 of the USMNT's last 14 games, but Turner did get a start in the last window and has statistically been better in MLS this season.
Brady gets the nod for the third goalkeeper start after a fine start to the MLS campaign with Chicago. The 22-year-old is among the favorites to start at the 2030 World Cup.
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USMNT defenders: Max Arfsten, Sergiño Dest, Alex Freeman, Mark McKenzie, Tim Ream, Chris Richards, Antonee Robinson, Miles Robinson, Auston Trusty
In the mix: Joe Scally, Kristoffer Lund, Tristan Blackmon, Walker Zimmerman, Noahkai Banks
Richards is the only lock to start in Pochettino's preferred three-back system, provided he overcomes a recent injury scare. Freeman has emerged as a strong contender to start to the right of Richards, while Ream appears to be the favorite on the left.
Robinson and Dest are the favorites to start at left and right wingback, respectively, with the latter just returning from a hamstring injury.
Dest's return could spell trouble for Scally, who may not be needed with Freeman also able to shift over to right wingback, while Arfsten has been a mainstay under Pochettino and should be able to snag a backup wingback position.
Robinson, McKenzie and Trusty provide center back depth and may just be on the right side of the bubble. Keep an eye on the erstwhile Banks, however, with recent chatter suggesting the 19-year-old could be in the mix after turning down a call-up in March.
USMNT midfielders: Tyler Adams, Sebastian Berhalter, Cristian Roldan, Diego Luna, Weston McKennie, Gio Reyna, Tanner Tessmann, Malik Tillman
In the mix: Yunus Musah, Aidan Morris, Gianluca Busio, Jack McGlynn, Adri Mehmeti
Adams, McKennie and Tillman are the locks in this position. Adams and McKennie are favorites to start after strong European seasons, while Tillman has faded with Bayer Leverkusen. He is still vital for the USMNT at the No. 10, however.
Behind Adams and McKennie, an injury ended Johnny Cardoso's hopes of a securing a holding midfield role. That should benefit two Pochettino favorites in Berhalter and Roldan — though Morris could easily leapfrog either after a strong season with Middlesbrough.
Tessmann is a lock if healthy, but he'll have to overcome a recent injury.
Reyna has been trending upwards of late, though it's still been modest gains for a player who's started exactly zero games in 2026. Still, the Borussia Mönchengladbach man's March call-up and recent form portends a spot on this roster. Luna has been excellent with Real Salt Lake of late and should snag another spot at attacking midfield.
USMNT forwards: Brenden Aaronson, Haji Wright, Folarin Balogun, Christian Pulisic, Ricardo Pepi, Tim Weah
In the mix: Josh Sargent, Alex Zendejas, Zavier Gozo, Julian Hall
Balogun is a near-lock to start at the No. 9 after an outstanding season in France with Monaco, while Pepi is a plus option as a scoring option off the bench. Patrick Agyemang was trending toward making the squad before an Achilles injury ended his hopes.
That opens a spot for Wright, who finished tied for second in the Championship with 17 goals, and will be playing in the Premier League next season after Coventry's promotion.
Pulisic and Weah are obvious candidates to start at wide attacking roles, but the latter could be utilized as a wingback as well.
It could be a tough call behind them, with Aaronson and Zendejas known quantities and teenage MLS duo Gozo and Hall coming on strong. In the end, we see Pochettino favoring Aaronson after his solid campaign with Leeds and ability to put in a two-way shift off the bench.
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USMNT World Cup roster projection
Goalkeepers (3): Matt Freese, Chris Brady, Matt Turner
Defenders (9): Max Arfsten, Sergiño Dest, Alex Freeman, Mark McKenzie, Tim Ream, Chris Richards, Antonee Robinson, Miles Robinson, Auston Trusty
Midfielders (8): Tyler Adams, Sebastian Berhalter, Cristian Roldan, Diego Luna, Weston McKennie, Gio Reyna, Tanner Tessmann, Malik Tillman
Forwards (6): Brenden Aaronson, Haji Wright, Folarin Balogun, Christian Pulisic, Ricardo Pepi, Tim Weah
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: USMNT World Cup roster prediction under Mauricio Pochettino
Continue reading...
