USMNT Stock Watch: Folarin Balogun takes control of striker spot as goalkeeper picture becomes clearer

The September worldwide window has come to a detailed for america males’s nationwide staff with combined outcomes, shedding to South Korea earlier than defeating a closely rotated Japan aspect. It was a window the place Mauricio Pochettino wished to get a remaining have a look at gamers deeper down his roster earlier than tightening issues up throughout future worldwide breaks within the lead-up to the World Cup. Pochettino additionally rolled out a brand new formation with america beginning the match in a again three for the primary time underneath his management.

With the Argentine reaching a 12 months in control of the USMNT, there may be room for progress, however the victory over Japan does supply positivity about how the USMNT will put together to be a power on the 2026 World Cup, the place expectations shall be excessive on each participant within the squad. However with the break coming to a detailed, who improved or harm their standing transferring ahead?

Replenish: Matt Freese 

After this worldwide window, it might be onerous for Matt Turner to regain the primary shirt. Matt Freese has grown since beginning each match on the Concacaf Gold Cup, and his command of the field and confidence dashing out to clear up conditions saved america out of bother. Turner could also be taking part in common soccer, however with Freese establishing himself as greater than only a penalty specialist, his inventory is rising by the day.

He could not have gotten his likelihood if Zack Steffen hadn’t gotten injured when Pochettino referred to as him in, however Freese has established himself as one of many high keepers in MLS and is now getting rewarded for it.

Targets prevented by American keepers in MLS

Even different choices being referred to as into camp weren’t sufficient for Freese to lose any time throughout matches. He’ll should maintain these sturdy performances going as keeper may very well be a decent battle down the stretch.

Inventory down: Josh Sargent

Once more, america’ assault was ineffective, with Josh Sargent main the road. He could not have performed with a again three in the identical manner that Folarin Balogun did, however solely touching the ball 17 instances towards South Korea and failing to take a shot, Sargent has continued a worrying development in not with the ability to flip touches into photographs. It is a direct distinction to Balogun and fails to open up the USMNT assault. If Pochettino wished to try a special system that performs lengthy balls ahead to get the most effective out of Sargent, it might be a special state of affairs, however in the meanwhile, the Championship’s hottest striker does not have a spot with the USMNT. With different choices equivalent to Haji Wright, Ricardo Pepi, and Patrick Agyemang additionally within the dialog, there could not even be room for Sargent when it is all mentioned and finished.

Replenish: Alex Freeman and Max Arfsten

It is onerous to separate the USMNT wing backs as each have taken large steps ahead throughout this worldwide break to look to safe their locations within the World Cup squad. Pochettino has proven that he likes what the MLS defenders carry to the squad, and towards Japan, you possibly can see why. Max Arfsten had a wonderful help to Alex Zendejas to open the scoring for the USMNT, and Alex Freeman was in all places. Pochettino was in a position to get the most effective out of the duo with them taking part in as wing backs, which can also be how they line up for his or her golf equipment, and it’ll stay to be seen how that impacts issues transferring ahead. Antonee Robinson is probably going the starter on the left, however Arfsten has finished sufficient to be a legitimate choice to vary the tempo of the assault. For Freeman, he may have an opportunity at beginning at proper again when 2026 comes.

Inventory down: Mark McKenzie 

Heart again has been some of the aggressive positions for the USMNT, and Pochettino beginning in a again three with out defenders who’ve performed there for his or her golf equipment, like Mark McKenzie and Joe Scally, appears like an indictment of the place they’re within the pecking order. McKenzie is somebody who has by no means appeared totally comfy when carrying the shirt of the nationwide staff, which might occur, nevertheless it’s additionally not going to indicate why McKenzie needs to be within the squad for 2026. As extra MLS middle backs proceed to impress Pochettino, it solely pushes guys like McKenzie and Cameron Carter-Vickers additional down the checklist.

Replenish: Folarin Balogun

It is onerous to say that Folarin Balogun’s inventory went up greater than he confirmed why he is the starter at striker, and that everybody else is chasing him for a spot. The assault opens up when Balogun performs, as not solely can he create his personal probabilities with spins in tight areas and dribbles, however he is adept sufficient at maintain up play and laying the ball off to his teammates that assaults do not cease even when he is not in an amazing place. There could also be choices to vary the tempo for the USMNT off the bench, however in relation to the beginning position for the nationwide staff, so long as he is wholesome, it seems like it may be Balogun.

Inventory down: Sebastian Berhalter 

In direct competitors with Jack McGlynn for a spot on the roster as a set piece specialist who can change the tempo of the match, Sebastian Berhalter could have misplaced some floor throughout this worldwide window. The Gold Cup noticed him push forward, getting the vast majority of begins in midfield, however Berhalter struggled towards South Korea earlier than being benched towards Japan. Then it was McGlynn who got here off the bench, taking pictures from distance and virtually scoring a aim. With regards to elevating the ceiling of the USMNT, that is one thing that McGlynn’s skillset does greater than Berhalter’s, so whereas the Houston Dynamo man has defensive worries, if the USMNT can cowl these with a formation shift, he must be there to return off the bench.