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.
Goalkeepers
Matt Freese leads with 14 caps and 1,260 minutes, followed by Matt Turner (8 caps, 720 minutes), Patrick Schulte (1 cap, 90 minutes), and Zack Steffen (1 cap, 90 minutes). Turner opened the Pochettino era as 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 Belgium, giving up five goals never leaves a reassuring impression. Freese's shootout heroics against Keylor Navas and Costa Rica last summer made clear he can handle pressure. 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.
Left-backs
Max Arfsten has 18 caps and 1,156 minutes, followed by Antonee Robinson (6 caps, 399 minutes), John Tolkin (6 caps, 235 minutes), and others including DeJuan Jones, Kristoffer Lund, and Marlon Fossey. Robinson and Sergiño Dest are still the assumed starters at the two full-back spots, but injuries have kept both from regular involvement. 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. It's likely Robinson's spot to hold.
Right-backs
Alex Freeman has 15 caps and 1,084 minutes, followed by Joe Scally (9 caps, 605 minutes), and Sergiño Dest (4 caps, 211 minutes). Others include Nathan Harriel and Shaq Moore. 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 and a move to Villarreal. Freeman can also tuck in and play as a right center-back in a back three. Dest has struggled to stay on the field for much of the last two years, but offers rare dynamism up the flank.
Center-backs
Tim Ream leads with 18 caps and 1,557 minutes, followed by Chris Richards (13 caps, 1,094 minutes), Mark McKenzie (12 caps, 810 minutes), Miles Robinson (9 caps, 533 minutes), Auston Trusty (4 caps, 190 minutes), and Walker Zimmerman (4 caps, 188 minutes). Ream and Richards were one of the few dependable pairings at the Copa América, but Ream's age (38), lack of pace, and recent form give some cause for concern. McKenzie and Trusty were the starters in an impressive 5-1 win over Uruguay. Robinson missed March's friendlies due to injury but remains a clear candidate.
Defensive and Central Midfielders
Sebastian Berhalter has 11 caps and 809 minutes, followed by Tyler Adams (11 caps, 763 minutes), Tanner Tessmann (12 caps, 663 minutes), Luca De La Torre (8 caps, 540 minutes), Jack McGlynn (12 caps, 444 minutes), Aidan Morris (7 caps, 443 minutes), Yunus Musah (6 caps, 416 minutes), Cristian Roldan (8 caps, 343 minutes), and Johnny Cardoso (6 caps, 213 minutes). Adams remains a guaranteed starter whenever his body allows. Berhalter and Tessmann have been increasingly involved. Musah hasn't gotten a call-up since before the Gold Cup, while Cardoso suffered a poorly timed ankle injury.
Attacking Midfielders and Wingers
Malik Tillman has 14 caps and 1,046 minutes, followed by Diego Luna (17 caps, 948 minutes), Christian Pulisic (11 caps, 703 minutes), Tim Weah (8 caps, 585 minutes), Weston McKennie (8 caps, 551 minutes), Brenden Aaronson (13 caps, 506 minutes), and Gio Reyna (5 caps, 157 minutes). Pulisic hasn't scored for the US since November 2024, but is nonetheless the program's face. Weah has arguably been a steadier performer. Luna remains a candidate not just for a squad spot, but meaningful involvement. Reyna and Brenden Aaronson could be useful gamechangers from the bench.
Center-forwards
Patrick Agyemang has 14 caps and 866 minutes, followed by Folarin Balogun (8 caps, 410 minutes), Josh Sargent (4 caps, 260 minutes), Haji Wright (7 caps, 226 minutes), Ricardo Pepi (5 caps, 209 minutes), and Brian White (7 caps, 184 minutes). Aside from Agyemang's run at the Gold Cup, Pochettino has gone with a striker-by-committee approach. Agyemang won't be part of the picture due to a ruptured achilles. Balogun's quick-firing prowess makes him a danger from anywhere within 20 yards. Pepi bagged 14 goals from 24 Eredivisie contests. Wright is one of three active squad members to have scored at a World Cup.
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 assumes Noahkai 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.
