In just under two weeks, Mauricio Pochettino will announce his official USMNT World Cup squad. Amongst every nation competing, there may not be a roster in greater question than the USA roster.
Keep in mind that Pochettino has only been with Team USA for a little over a year and eight months. Despite being a decorated and highly regarded manager before his appointment, it was no secret that he lacked familiarity with US soccer.
Stack this on top of the fact that Pochettino has been without some of America’s top players during training and international friendlies, with the likes of Christian Pulisic, Tyler Adams, and Weston McKennie missing out for a variety of reasons, Pochettino has arguably never managed the strongest side that Team USA can put together.
In total, Pochettino has given over 70 players the opportunity to showcase their talents. In a different situation, many of those players would have never seen that chance in the first place. While some argue the net was cast too wide, others believe that genuine talent was unearthed during the search.
With just under a month until the World Cup, Pochettino has to narrow his squad down to 26. There are several obvious choices for the USMNT World Cup squad, but perhaps even more have question marks, but there’s a lot left to solve before May 26.
USMNT World Cup Squad: The Hard Choices At The Back
The USMNT is stacked with defenders. So much so that some projections have shown as many as 10 different defensive players making the USMNT World Cup squad.
Although it isn’t Pochettino’s style, many people have suggested that a five-back formation will be used, or at the very least a three-back with two wing-backs.
Perhaps the main reason for this decision is that the defence was notably shaky during international friendlies.
While the men up front looked to be in stride, the defence was shaky at best. Multiple combinations were tested, with none seemingly more effective than the other.
It may be because of this consistent under-performance that Pochettino finds it difficult to narrow the defensive field any further, and he may want multiple options if someone just isn’t fitting the system.
Due to having so many defenders, notably centre-backs that have been added to the short list, the discussion here is not so much who should make the team, but rather who shouldn’t.
Realistically, if the coaching staff wants to add players to any other midfield or forward position, they’ll likely have to take someone out of the defence.
Despite his age, which could be a red flag to other nations, Tim Ream is still a lock to make the roster. His leadership is simply too valuable to give up. He was noticeably slow in international friendlies, but his knowledge of the game and commitment to the country boosts him to a guaranteed spot.
Instead, we look to the likes of Joe Scally (Borussia Mönchengladbach) and Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati) to miss the cut.
For Scally, it doesn’t come down as much to minutes and performance as it does to his natural position. In 34 appearances for his club, he’s played 19 times as a right-midfielder, in comparison to 10 appearances at right-back.
Midfielder talent is not a problem for Team USA, and pushing Scally back to defence just to get him on the squad doesn’t seem like the right choice.
While Robinson has performed well at the MLS level, having been awarded two MLS Best XI, he lacks both international experience and, quite frankly, is the worst of a long line of centre-backs in the USMNT squad.
He’s part of a defensive line giving up 2.09 goals per 90 minutes, with only one clean sheet in the last eight matches. You feel for the guy, as his injury concerns have taken him away from USMNT chances in the past. Unfortunately, if you’re making room on the roster, he’s a heavy favourite to go.
USMNT World Cup Squad: The Middle Of The Park
In the midfield, several players are already a lock. Weston McKennie, Tyler Adams, and Malik Tillman are sure to see their names on the roster. The rest of the midfield choices get foggy, with a fairly even group of talent battling for those roster spots.
One name that needs to make the roster, despite his recent form, is Gio Reyna. He’s lacked minutes at the club level, partially due to injury, and therefore looks like a man on the bubble to most Team USA fans.
However, his form for the national team has always been outstanding. He scored against Paraguay and came off the bench against the likes of Portugal, Belgium, and Uruguay. This is a guy who can flourish on the World Cup stage.
There’s an interesting battle between just about everyone else. Sebastian Berhalter looks set to join the roster, as his current form is outstanding. He’s notched six goals and four assists in 12 matches for the Vancouver Whitecaps. Sure, his father used to be the coach of the USMNT, but it won’t take playing favourites to see him on the roster.
When it comes down to it, two names look likely to be on the bubble: Aidan Morris and Diego Luna, and likely, only one of these two will make the 26-man roster.
It’s a tough choice – Morris played a vital role in Middlesbrough’s successful season (which could continue if Southampton are heavily penalised), starting 37 matches and coming off the bench for an additional three.
Diego Luna, on the other hand, is just starting his season with Real Salt Lake. After missing the first three matches of the season due to a knee injury, he’s come back to score four goals in nine matches and his current form is hard to ignore.
What this could very well come down to is their different styles of play. While Morris plays as a defensive midfielder, Luna is much more active in attack.
Given the high number of defenders currently listed for the potential USMNT roster, it would make more sense to take Luna and bolster the attack. However, if Pochettino looks to make room in the defence for more attacking players, Morris would be a great choice in midfield to back up the defence.
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USMNT World Cup Squad: The Fire Power Up Top
In reality, there may only be one spot up for grabs amongst the Team USA forwards, as this group of players may be in the best form.
You’ve got Christian Pulisic, Brendan Aaronson, Ricardo Pepi, Folarin Balogun, and Timothy Weah, who are guaranteed to be in the squad. With five spots already taken, you’re looking at a maximum of two, but most likely one spot remaining.
At the moment, Haji Wright looks to lead the pack of remaining names. His season with promotion-clinching Coventry was hard to ignore, with 17 goals and only six games missed the entire season. He looks to be at the top of his form going into the World Cup, and it would be a shock to see him get left out.
It’s an unfortunate situation for American forwards like Álex Zendejas, who is coming off of arguably his best season with Club América. The forward looks to be at the height of his career, but a stacked group of USMNT forwards look to be keeping him on the outside.
The same goes for Josh Sargent, who is no stranger to the national team. He’s experienced some injury problems lately, but has seen the pitch enough to score two for Toronto FC. While still a great player, he just doesn’t hold the skill and upside that you see amongst this group of Team USA forwards. Of all the names in that group, Sargent is likely to be the first one out.
The USMNT Has Decisions To Make
Team USA has a chance to feature one of its strongest squads in a rather forgiving group. With a bolstered group of forwards and a capable midfield, fans should be excited for Pochettino’s squad. The big question will be whether he sticks with as many defenders as rumoured.
If so, they’ll have to find their stride before the tournament. If not, spots could be opened up to bring in more talent to the midfield or forward groups.
It is no exception to say that there is plenty of remaining talent in those who are sitting on the bubble. A lot hinges on that decision, as it could reshape the entire look of this USMNT World Cup squad.
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / UPI Photo
Recording Date: 31.03.2026
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