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3 hours ago
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In exactly two weeks, Mauricio Pochettino will determine which 26 players will represent the United States at this summer’s World Cup. The decision may be even harder than you’d expect
Across 24 games as US boss, Pochettino has deployed 61 different players for first-hand assessment, and his tenure so far has provided scant evidence of a crystalized core.
Only six USMNT players have logged even a thousand minutes under the Argentinian’s watch; a staggering 34 have played fewer than 250. Tim Ream has been the most-trusted charge, with 1,557 minutes, while Cade Cowell saw the briefest deployment in a single 12-minute cameo. Fifteen players have made at least 10 appearances under Pochettino. Perhaps most interesting: of the 29 players who have made no more than five appearances, four seem like certain bets to be involved when the World Cup group stage starts in June.
Which players have become trusted mainstays of Pochettino’s USMNT, and which former sure things will be sweating his decisions ahead of 26 May?
Players sorted by minutes played under Pochettino. Grouped by primary roles, but includes all caps/minutes since 12 October 2024 regardless of role
Goalkeepers
1) Matt Freese – 14 caps, 1,260 minutes
2) Matt Turner – 8 caps, 720 minutes
3)= Patrick Schulte – one cap, 90 minutes
3)= Zack Steffen – one cap, 90 minutes
What’s more important for a national team goalkeeper: club form or chemistry?
Turner opened the Pochettino era as the incumbent and first choice, but Freese’s run during last summer’s Gold Cup kicked off a 14-starts-from-15 stretch. While Turner was hardly at fault in March’s 5-2 loss to Beligum (his lone recent start), giving up five goals never leaves a reassuring impression.
And yet, it’s the New England keeper who has fared better in the first three months of the MLS season. Turner is second among all MLS goalkeepers with 5.6 goals prevented (comparing goals conceded against post-shot xG faced), per FotMob. While Freese is narrowly ahead of expectations, at 0.7 goals prevented, that ranks 15th among regular starters across the 30-team league.
Still, Freese’s shootout heroics against Keylor Navas and Costa Rica last summer made clear he can handle pressure. As for the rest: Schulte is maintaining a 0.8 goals prevented clip, 14th in MLS, while Steffen has been MLS’s fourth-poorest goal preventer at -3.2. Whoever is starting, Schulte is near-certain to be the emergency option.
Left-backs
1) Max Arfsten – 18 caps, 1,156 minutes
2) Antonee Robinson – six caps, 399 minutes
3) John Tolkin – six caps, 235 minutes
Others: DeJuan Jones (two caps, 115 minutes), Kristoffer Lund (two caps, 68 minutes); Marlon Fossey (one cap, 45 minutes)
Robinson and Sergiño Dest are still the assumed starters at the two full-back spots. However, injuries have kept both from regular involvement, opening the door for alternatives.
One of three players to appear in at least two-thirds of Pochettino’s matches in charge, Arfsten brings considerable progressive instincts that make him a dangerous option as a left wing-back with three center-backs behind him. The problems come when he’s asked to play on the edge of a back four, as his upfield scampers cede golden opportunities for opponents to counter. He’s an excellent option off the bench, but it’s likely Robinson’s spot to hold. The United States’ best moments at the start of both March friendlies often came at his feet, from his progression and line-breaking distribution to his positional dependency when the opponents took over. Fulham missed him dearly in stretches of 2025-26, but Pochettino will be thankful he’s on track for this summer.
Right-backs
1) Alex Freeman – 15 caps, 1,084 minutes
2) Joe Scally – nine caps, 605 minutes
3. Sergiño Dest – four caps, 211 minutes
Others: Nathan Harriel (three caps, 123 minutes), Shaq Moore (two caps, 121 minutes)
Freeman’s career has followed a blistering trajectory since January 2025, forcing his way into Orlando City’s rotation, which landed him a starting role at the Gold Cup, continued involvement thereafter, and a move to Villarreal. It has continued, with Freeman earning his first two La Liga starts after the March window. Freeman didn’t suffer positioning gaffes nearly as often as Scally had at the Copa América and 2025 Concacaf Nations League, a vital revelation for Pochettino .
Freeman can also tuck in and play as a right center-back in a back three, allowing Pochettino cover in (mild spoiler) his weakest area.
Dest has struggled to stay on the field for much of the last two years, logging even fewer international minutes than Gio Reyna. It’s an undeniable risk to assume he can step in and immediately rediscover the verve and unpredictability that made him so crucial under Gregg Berhalter. Then again, this team may not have a choice but to take that risk. Dest offers rare dynamism up the flank and can cover on the left, assisting a Ricardo Pepi goal over the weekend with his left foot. Either Dest or Freeman would be a natural fit in a back-four or at wing back in a three-back system.
Center-backs
1) Tim Ream – 18 caps, 1,557 minutes
2) Chris Richards – 13 caps, 1,094 minutes
3) Mark McKenzie – 12 caps, 810 minutes
4) Miles Robinson – nine caps, 533 minutes
5) Auston Trusty – four caps, 190 minutes
6) Walker Zimmerman – four caps, 188 minutes
Others: Tristan Blackmon (two caps, 173 minutes), Cameron Carter-Vickers (one cap, 90 minutes), George Campbell (one cap, 88 minutes)
Ream and Richards were one of the few dependable pairings at the Copa América, but Ream’s age (38), well-known lack of pace, and recent form with Charlotte give some cause for concern.
McKenzie and Trusty were the starters in an impressive 5-1 win over Uruguay and both fared decently well in March, with Trusty getting a notable shoutout from Pochettino after the Belgium defeat. The pair also partnered during their time on the Philadelphia Union, offering some chemistry despite over half a decade since each player left the club. Robinson was unable to play in March’s friendlies due to injury, but is still a clear candidate for the squad after missing 2022 with an achilles injury.
Then again, an international commitment from Noahkai Banks could force one of these three to miss out given the Augsburg defender’s considerable upside. It should be noted, however, that the 19-year-old hasn’t played since 22 March, as the German club saw multiple veteran center-backs return from injury.
Defensive and central midfielders
1) Sebastian Berhalter – 11 caps, 809 minutes
2) Tyler Adams – 11 caps, 763 minutes
3) Tanner Tessmann – 12 caps, 663 minutes
4) Luca De La Torre – 8 caps, 540 minutes
5) Jack McGlynn – 12 caps, 444 minutes
6) Aidan Morris – seven caps, 443 minutes
7) Yunus Musah – six caps, 416 minutes
8) Cristian Roldan – eight caps, 343 minutes
9) Johnny Cardoso – six caps, 213 minutes
Others: Gianluca Busio (four caps, 169 minutes), Emeka Eneli (two caps, 115 minutes), Benja Cremaschi (two caps, 110 minutes), Timothy Tillman (two caps, 90 minutes), James Sands (one cap, 63 minutes)
Pochettino has often alternated between using two or three midfielders in his engine room, so depth in a variety of roles is vital to ensure flexibility. What’s certain is that Adams remains one of the program’s high-end performers; a legitimately world class ball-winner who is a guaranteed starter whenever his body allows.
Berhalter and Tessmann have been increasingly involved, but the players directly below them in the minutes ledger feel like longer shots than others with even fewer. All but 25 of De La Torre’s minutes came during the Gold Cup and its preceding friendlies, while McGlynn fell out of the lineup before the group stage’s end and hasn’t seen the field for the US since September. Then again, US assistant coach Jesús Perez may understandably be swayed after being in-house for McGlynn’s latest worldie against LAFC.
Musah hasn’t gotten a call-up since before the Gold Cup, while Cardoso suffered a poorly timed ankle injury that will scupper his chances despite a fine season with Champions League semi-finalist Atlético Madrid. His absence will almost certainly see Berhalter and Tessmann through to the squad, while Roldan and Morris will benefit as proven defensive midfielders.
Attacking midfielders and wingers
1) Malik Tillman – 14 caps, 1,046 minutes
2) Diego Luna – 17 caps, 948 minutes
3) Christian Pulisic – 11 caps, 703 minutes
4) Tim Weah – eight caps, 585 minutes
5) Weston McKennie – eight caps, 551 minutes
6) Brenden Aaronson – 13 caps, 506 minutes
7) Gio Reyna – five caps, 157 minutes
Others: Quinn Sullivan (three caps, 140 minutes), Alejandro Zendejas (six caps, 139 minutes), Caden Clark (two caps, 135 minutes), Brian Gutierrez* (two caps, 118 minutes), Matko Miljevic (two caps, 110 minutes), Indiana Vassilev (two caps, 86 minutes), Paxten Aaronson (three caps, 56 minutes), Cade Cowell (one cap, 12 minutes)
An early finding of Berhalter’s tenure that was further laid bare under Pochettino: this program is awfully thin on the wings. Pochettino addressed this by squeezing narrower to play a more modern system with two attacking midfielders stationed in the half spaces. It’s been a great development for McKennie, now a channel-operating ace for Juventus, and Tillman, long without a clear role for the US despite his impressive club career.
But then there are the two longtime first-choice wingers. Pulisic hasn’t scored for the US since November 2024, nor for Milan since late 2025, but is nonetheless the program’s face and has long proven capable of breaking through for his national team in big moments. Weah has arguably been a steadier performer since Berhalter left, and can deputize as a right-wingback if needed.
Despite missing March camp as he returned from injury, Luna remains a candidate not just for a squad spot, but meaningful involvement. His debut last January kicked off an 18-match stretch where he appeared in all but one US game, bringing a blend of tenacious work rate in all phases and rare ingenuity on the ball to catch opponents unaware.
Reyna and Brenden Aaronson could be useful gamechangers from the bench, the former for his on-ball fearlessness and the latter for his off-ball industry. It’s also worth keeping the door to the squad ajar for Luna’s RSL running mate Zavier Gozo as a possible World Cup wildcard.
Center-forwards
1) Patrick Agyemang – 14 caps, 866 minutes
2) Folarin Balogun – eight caps, 410 minutes
3) Josh Sargent – four caps, 260 minutes
4) Haji Wright – seven caps, 226 minutes
5) Ricardo Pepi – five caps, 209 minutes
6) Brian White – seven caps, 184 minutes
Others: Damion Downs (six caps, 98 minutes), Brandon Vazquez (three caps, 58 minutes)
Aside from Agyemang’s run at the Gold Cup, Pochettino has largely gone with a striker-by-committee approach. Agyemang won’t be part of the picture, though, having suffered a ruptured achilles with Derby County. Of the six most-used players, only White has failed to make an appearance after the Gold Cup – but he’s arguably one of the two most in-form options of the bunch, and an ideal emergency gamebreaker in tense moments.
Balogun’s quick-firing prowess makes him a danger to score from anywhere within 20 yards of goal. Pepi’s career is in a bit of limbo as PSV wait for another approach from Fulham or other suitors, but he bagged 14 goals from 24 Eredivisie contests and is a handy alternative up top. Wright is one of three active squad members to have scored at a World Cup, whether he meant to or not, and can drift to the left without losing much of his danger near goal.
The prediction
Players listed alphabetically, with presumptive first-choices underlined.
Goalkeepers: Matt Freese, Patrick Schulte, Matt Turner
Full-backs: Max Arfsten, Sergiño Dest, Alex Freeman, Antonee Robinson
Center-backs: Mark McKenzie, Tim Ream, Chris Richards, Miles Robinson, Auston Trusty
Midfielders: Tyler Adams, Sebastian Berhalter, Aidan Morris, Cristian Roldan, Tanner Tessmann
Attacking midfielders/wingers: Diego Luna, Weston McKennie, Christian Pulisic, Gio Reyna, Malik Tillman, Tim Weah
Strikers: Folarin Balogun, Ricardo Pepi, Haji Wright
This has been crafted to balance all the evidence with realism, which is to say: this assumes Banks either kicks his international decision to the other side of the World Cup or opts for Germany. Brenden Aaronson would be the headline omission, having fared far better in his second Premier League go-round with Leeds. In terms of minutes played under Pochettino, Scally leads the snubs with 605 minutes logged, although only 110 have come since that brutal Nations League showing in March 2025.
