USMNT Gold Cup roster takeaways: USA soccer coach Mauricio Pochettino missing key figures for tournament

Mauricio Pochettin’s selection for the Gold Cup Concacaf has been set, and although some absences such as those from Christian Pulisic and Antonee Robinson were expected, more regulars from the United States national teams have withdrawn. During the camp, Folarin Balogun left to tackle an injuryWhile it was decided that it is best for the recovery of Sergino Dest of his ACL injury to go through a personal recovery program instead of playing in games with the team.

For a critical golden cup that will be the last competitive matches that Pochettino will oversee before the World Cup 2026, he gets the chance to view quite a few new faces, where there are also 15 ml of players in the selection and four players receive their first call -ups for the USMNT Berhalter, Quinn Sullivan.

With a year to go to the World Cup, this is the time for those players to appear and settle in the team, and they will have enough opportunities, since this Pochettino’s longest camp is responsible for the USMNT since taking over in September 2024.

Grille

Goalkeepers (3): Chris Brady (Chicago Fire; 0/0), Matt Freese (New York City FC; 0/0), Matt Turner (Crystal Palace/Eng; 51/0)

Defenders (9): Max Arfsten (Columbus Crew; 3/0), Alex Freeman (Orlando City; 0/0), Nathan Harriel (Philadelphia Union; 0/0), Mark Mckenzie (Toulouse/Fra; 19/0), Tim Ream (Charlotte Fc; 68/1), Milis Robinsons (Fem; Milis Robinsons), Milis Robinsons (Milis Robinsons),, Milis Robinsons (Fem; Cincinnati; 32/3), John Tolkin (4/0), Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC; 43/3)

Midfielders (9): Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United/Eng; 47/8); Tyler Adams (Bournemouth/Eng; 44/2), Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps/Can; 0/0), Johnny Cardoso (Real Betis/Esp; 18/0), Luca de la Torre (San Diego Fc; 24/1), Jack Salto (Houst Saltt; 4/1), Jack McGlyn (Houston Dynamo; 4/1). (Philadelphia Union; 0/0); Malik Tillman (PSV Eindhoven/Ned; 17/0)

Forwards (5): Paxten Aaronson (FC Utrecht/Ned; 1/0), Patrick Agyemang (Charlotte FC; 4/3), Damion Downs (FC Köln/Ger; 0/0), Brian White (Vancouver WhiteCaps/4/1), Haji Wright (Coventry/Eng; 15/4)

New faces

There is another dual-national who will get a look, because the 20-year-old Downs had a strong season with FC Koln of the 2. Bundesliga. Downs was able to score 10 goals while they helped three more, with nine and on the right wing. Being eligible to represent Germany or the United States, he can be an intriguing addition to the attack. In midfield, Sullivan and Behalter both receive their first calls as rewards for their strong MLS seasons so far.

Midfielders who are comfortable defending or, when it comes to link-up game, can add to the transition game of the USMNT in a large way are important. Both come from football families, where Gregg Berhalter is the father of Sebastian and the younger brother of Sullivan Cavan in the scene as one of the best young American prospects. Both have the opportunity to make a name for himself on the way to this camp, while Orlando City SC -defender Freeman has also been rewarded for his strong form this season. Freeman is the son of the former Green Bay Packers wide receiver Antonio Freeman, but he scored four goals this season, despite playing as a right back for the Lions. Another wing that can stretch the field without Robinson and Dest, it is an opportunity to insist on playing time.

An expectation to win

After he has already viewed Mexico the last edition of the Gold Cup, the pressure will be on this team to ensure that this no longer happens. Posted in Group D next to Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago and Saudi Aarabia, the USMNT has to continue to the knockout phases, but that is where this team will be tested. Concacaf parties have improved, and because this is the first time that the majority of this team has played together on the international stage, there will be growth pains, but because it is such a long camp on the way to the Gold Cup, there is a chance for Pochettino to put his mark on the team. The lack of time in the training is one of the biggest differences between club football and international football, but with such a long camp it will go closer to what Pochettino has done in the past. No progress with him to have time with the team would certainly increase concern before the upcoming world cup.

Who is the number 9?

It is another camp and Balogun has to play a game under Pochettino. Without Josh Sargent there, Brian White and Patrick Agyemang will have more opportunities to establish themselves as options for the World Cup. This is also the case for Haji Wright, but he will slot earlier on the wing. Both MLS attackers have found their form under Pochettino, so there is a real chance that they can lead the border instead of Balogun in 2026. It would be a very surprise, but sometimes international football can be about finding the best 11 players who fit together, and that is what Pochettino is currently trying to do.