With October friendlies being introduced, going through Ecuador and Australia on house soil, the 2025 schedule for Mauricio Pochettino and the US males’s nationwide staff is nearly set. They’re going to additionally face Japan and South Korea with extra to come back within the November worldwide window. Regardless of not collaborating in Concacaf World Cup qualifying as a result of internet hosting the 2026 World Cup alongside Canada and Mexico, these friendlies will likely be stern assessments for the USMNT and ones that may assist reply looming questions.
For the reason that 2022 World Cup, the place they defeated Iran, the US have not taken down a top-20 FIFA opposition outdoors of Concacaf. They’ve had a superb report going through sides decrease within the FIFA rankings, however with a World Cup on house soil, expectations are excessive, and with how the staff has carried out, they may wrestle.
This summer time window in the course of the Gold Cup introduced some promise for the nationwide staff with the emergence of Diego Luna and Malik Tillman, however even they struggled when going through Mexico. Some struggles have been to be anticipated with the necessity for relaxation and the Membership World Cup protecting quite a few USMNT regulars like Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie from becoming a member of the squad this summer time. They’re going to be anticipated to return within the fall, however that does not imply that everybody’s spot within the nationwide staff will proceed to be assured.
Taking part in time issues stay for gamers like Yunus Musah, Gio Reyna, and Tim Weah. If these aren’t resolved, all three might discover themselves on the surface wanting in at a World Cup squad. These aren’t the one points going through the USMNT over the rest of the 12 months, however they’re just a few of the largest ones.
Let’s check out what else there may be to look out for because the summer time rolls on and gamers close to their return to membership soccer:
Will massive transfers work out?
Following the Gold Cup, loads of gamers are both on the transfer or near securing a transfer to a brand new membership. Johnny Cardoso (Atletico Madrid) Malik Tillman (Leverkusen), Patrick Agyemang (Derby County), and Damion Downs (Southampton) have all joined new golf equipment or could possibly be on the transfer this summer time. Whereas shifting to new golf equipment and having expectations to be starters will likely be a superb factor forward of the World Cup, there’s additionally a component of doubt that creeps into the heads of USMNT supporters when strikes like these occur.
There’s at all times the possibility of falling out of favor when becoming a member of a brand new membership, which could lead on the USMNT to start with out extra first staff regulars. That ought to by no means be a purpose for gamers to not problem themselves, but it surely does make judging strikes to be tough. In Tillman’s case, a transfer to Leverkusen to switch Florian Wirtz is a superb place to take the following step in his profession but when he would not hit the bottom operating, does he get an extended leash to present what he can do? Solely time will inform.
A 9 must emerge
After this Gold Cup, the highest tier of the striker rotation for Pochettino has grow to be clearer. With Agyemang getting the entire begins in the course of the competitors, he is in a race to make the World Cup squad alongside Ricardo Pepi and Folarin Balogun. Whereas Balogun was a wonderful recruit to the USMNT, his 2024-25 season was one to overlook, whereas battling accidents. If he would not bounce again from that, there’s each probability that Balogun might find yourself in a situation the place he is not beginning on the World Cup, which probably was a big portion of why he selected the USMNT.
Pepi now has a significant vote of confidence from PSV in incomes the quantity 9 jersey. Persevering with his scoring charges whereas beginning for the membership within the Champions League will do rather a lot for Pepi’s probabilities whereas pushing the opposite forwards within the USMNT pool to maintain up their very own ranges. Add that with Agyemang difficult himself by seeking to spark an anemic Derby County assault, and the ahead pool could have a share of questions, however they’re all in good positions to push one another, guaranteeing that one of the best performing ahead is the one who earns begins on the World Cup.
Eyes on Pochettino’s techniques
Because the Argentine will get nearer to a 12 months on the job and will get to know the participant pool, strain is on him to determine one of the best system for the squad. The Gold Cup was an important use of set performs, however curious selections additionally emerged. Max Arfsten is a good participant who brings lots going ahead in a again 5, however he was suspect defensively in a again 4. Regardless of that, Pochettino by no means adjusted the system to get the Columbus Crew man assistance on his facet. This would possibly not be a problem with a wholesome Antonee Robinson, however these are issues which can be simpler to excuse with lower than a 12 months on the job, however not in a World Cup 12 months.
Through the Gold Cup last, when the USMNT could not sustain with Mexico, Pochettino took out Luca De La Torre to introduce Downs into the match. In a approach, the transfer is sensible if it occurs within the last 5 minutes chasing a objective, however with 20-plus minutes to go, it left the staff too weak to ever come up with the match. With powerful friendlies coming this 12 months, tactically, this staff wants to enhance as they get to know his system.
Tyler Adams
The Gold Cup was a time to overlook for Tyler Adams. Coming off a attempting season with Bournemouth, the place he struggled with accidents, Adams was nameless and tepid in possession in the course of the event. After captaining the USMNT on the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Adams will once more be important to their setup in 2026. If he is not on the high of his recreation, this staff could wrestle to get out of the group stage. Even he admitted he wasn’t at his finest on the Gold Cup.
The six has been one of many thinnest positions for the USMNT as Cardoso hasn’t proven that he can play it on the highest degree and different midfielders do not have the identical defensive chew and calm passing that Adams has at his finest. When Tim Ream is predicted to be one of many defenders behind him, having the ability to anticipate what the midfield will do is important, and after Pulisic and Robinson, Adams could be the subsequent most vital participant to the USMNT in 2026.
