The excitement is building as the United States prepares to announce its 26-man squad for the World Cup on Tuesday, a moment that could be monumental for the national team.
Manager Mauricio Pochettino has likely made most of his selections. However, with leagues like the Bundesliga and Ligue 1 having wrapped up last weekend, players from English, Spanish, and Italian leagues have one final chance this weekend to prove themselves—or just enjoy a cheerful flight to New York for Tuesday’s announcement.
Here are a few key questions surrounding the USMNT as we approach the weekend.
Can Christian Pulisic break out of his scoring rut?
Regardless of who else is selected, the primary concern around the USMNT is Christian Pulisic’s health.
His overall statistics look decent, yet there’s been a noticeable silence in terms of goals since January, which seems to weigh on him. Recently, he played just 14 minutes off the bench for AC Milan and contributed an assist in their victory over Genoa. This marked just the second time this year he’s been part of a goal.
This Sunday’s match against Cagliari serves as a crucial opportunity for Pulisic before he heads to New York. It’s an important game, too, as Milan is vying for a spot in the Champions League against teams like Roma and Juventus.
While other USMNT regulars like Jedi Robinson and Brenden Aaronson will have their own games this weekend, Pulisic’s is particularly high-stakes. His current lack of scoring could have serious implications for his mindset heading into the biggest tournament of his career.
Are there any surprising candidates?
This weekend, three MLS players are worth watching. Two are uncapped, while Xavier Gozo, Jack McGlynn, and Julian Hall haven’t been part of USMNT camp since September.
Gozo is reportedly on the USMNT’s 55-man reserve list and might be a surprising addition to the World Cup squad. With four goals in his last four games leading up to Saturday’s match against Minnesota United, the 19-year-old could bring vital energy as a substitute in the tournament.
McGlynn recently played for the Houston Dynamo and is transitioning back to the midfield after foot surgery that will keep him out until late 2025. Hall, the longest shot, may only be considered if Pochettino desires a fourth true striker, despite having netted 12 goals this season, including a hat trick recently.
As for the competition for spots, names like Diego Luna and Alejandro Zendejas come to mind. Both are seasoned midfielders who have national team experience but missed the March camp, while Malik Tillman faces the challenge of limited playing time at Bayer Leverkusen in the season’s final weeks.
Will there be four or five center backs?
Unless Chris Richards’ situation worsens, he, Tim Ream, and Mark McKenzie seem set. A fourth center back will likely be either Auston Trusty or Miles Robinson.
Yet, is there room for a fifth? The USMNT does need more options. Richards is expected to be ready for the World Cup despite ankle issues, but there’s a need for caution. Ream, aged 38, may struggle given his early-season form.
Pochettino can’t overlook depth in this crucial position, though he might look to be flexible.
Alex Freeman and Joe Scully both fit the exterior back role but can adapt defensively if needed. Freeman seems like a certain call-up, while Scully, who just wrapped his season with Borussia Mönchengladbach, is on the edge. Tanner Tessman might be safe on the roster but has the versatility to play center back if आवश्यक.
Will this mix provide the US with a sense of security at center back while adding depth elsewhere? That’s definitely something Pochettino and his crew will be fine-tuning up until the last minute.
What about Gio Reyna?
Let’s dive into the situation with Gio Reyna. It would raise eyebrows if he’s excluded from the squad, given recent discussions around him.
Reyna’s playing time at Borussia Mönchengladbach has been inconsistent. Though he wasn’t a starter aside from a brief stint in December, he did see some regular action off the bench towards the end of the season. If Pochettino considered him after a similar absence in March, I’m not sure how he could justify leaving him out now.
Reyna did score a goal against Augsburg recently, yet that was his first goal for the national team since facing Paraguay, and his only one for Gladbach this year.
More importantly, Pochettino views him as a talented player who needs to adjust. While few expect Reyna to start at the World Cup, it’s easy to see him coming on in the second half and making an impact. Maybe Pochettino will reconsider at the last moment, or perhaps he might be influenced by someone else like Gozo. It’s hard to pin down a definitive answer right now.
