Countdown to the World Cup Roster Announcement
As the countdown to the U.S. men’s national soccer team’s World Cup roster announcement continues, fans and analysts alike are speculating what the final 26-man team, overseen by coach Mauricio Pochettino, will look like. The announcement is just weeks away, and if you’re eager to get a glimpse of the likely candidates, check out Jeff Carlisle’s detailed rankings from early September. This analysis, while rooted in Carlisle’s projections, dives further into the depth and breadth of potential players available to Pochettino.
Player Pool Expansion
Despite a mixed record of on-field results since his appointment in 2024, Pochettino’s tenure has seen a notable expansion in the player pool, with 61 different athletes earning caps during his time in charge. The following depth chart is crafted with recent performances in mind, heavily considering which players have seen significant playing time under Pochettino’s guidance. Those with prior experience in competitive matches are prioritized, reflecting Pochettino’s possible inclination to rely on players he trusts in crucial game situations.
However, beyond the highlighted selection of 61 players, the full spectrum includes seasoned MLS veterans, dazzling newcomers making their mark in professional leagues, and established players who may not have been given a chance under Pochettino’s leadership. This depth chart represents a speculative view of who might emerge as the key contributors for the upcoming World Cup, rather than a definitive list of the absolute best players at each position.
Projected Goalkeepers
- Matt Freese (New York City FC)
- Matt Turner (New England Revolution)
- Chris Brady (Chicago Fire)
- Roman Celentano (FC Cincinnati)
- Patrick Schulte (Columbus Crew)
- Zack Steffen (Colorado Rapids)
- Ethan Horvath (New York Red Bulls)
- Drake Callender (Minnesota United)
- Brad Stuver (Austin FC)
- Andrew Thomas (Seattle Sounders)
- Duran Ferree (San Diego FC)
- Diego Kochen (Barcelona)
- Gaga Slonina (Chelsea)
- Brian Schwake (Nashville FC)
- Michael Collodi (FC Dallas)
Freese stands poised to be the likely starter, having shown commendable performance metrics under Pochettino. He has allowed significantly fewer goals than expected based on statistical models, indicating efficiency as a shot-stopper. Neither Freese nor Turner has made any glaring errors when tested this MLS season, highlighting their reliability. While individual brilliance from a goalkeeper may not be anticipated, securing a solid performance in goal can pave the way for team success.
Projecting Defenders
- Chris Richards (Crystal Palace)
- Tim Ream (Charlotte FC)
- Mark McKenzie (Toulouse)
- Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati)
- Auston Trusty (Celtic)
- Tristan Blackmon (Vancouver Whitecaps)
- Noahkai Banks (Augsburg)
- Sean Zawadzki (Columbus Crew)
- Walker Zimmerman (Toronto FC)
- George Campbell (West Bromwich Albion)
- Jackson Ragen (Seattle Sounders)
- Justin Haak (Los Angeles Galaxy)
- Justen Glad (Real Salt Lake)
- Brendan Hines-Ike (Austin FC)
- Maximilian Dietz (Greuther Furth)
Despite changing dynamics, the experienced Tim Ream is expected to figure prominently in the center-back lineup, a testament to his resilience and ongoing capabilities at age 39. This duality in the narrative around Ream—seen either as a model of endurance or as a critique of a thinning talent pool—illustrates how player careers can often defy typical trajectories in sports. Depending on tactical approaches, Ream’s game will likely be supported by formations that can mask some limitations presented by his age. Coverage of defensive responsibilities will be critical considering potential injuries to other candidates like Cameron Carter-Vickers.
Midfield Considerations
- Tyler Adams (Bournemouth)
- Weston McKennie (Juventus)
- Tanner Tessmann (Lyon)
- Johnny Cardoso (Atletico Madrid)
- Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders)
- Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps)
- Aidan Morris (Middlesbrough)
- Luca de la Torre (Charlotte FC)
- Yunus Musah (Atalanta)
- Gianluca Busio (Venezia)
- Emeka Eneli (Real Salt Lake)
- James Sands (FC Saint Pauli)
- Adri Mehmeti (New York Red Bulls)
- Mark Delgado (Los Angeles FC)
- Edwin Cerrillo (Los Angeles Galaxy)
The conundrum surrounding McKennie’s optimal positioning invites ongoing discussion. Balancing this with the need for a cohesive game strategy is vital, as various midfield combinations could yield different strengths. Importantly, while several names appear less impactful than McKennie in key game outcomes, they remain essential pieces if called upon in the heat of competition.
Evaluating Forwards
- Christian Pulisic (AC Milan)
- Timothy Weah (Marseille)
- Malik Tillman (Bayer Leverkusen)
- Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United)
- Alejandro Zendejas (Club America)
- Diego Luna (Real Salt Lake)
- Giovanni Reyna (Borussia Monchengladbach)
- Jack McGlynn (Houston Dynamo)
- Quinn Sullivan (Philadelphia Union)
- Matko Miljevic (Racing Club)
- Timothy Tillman (LAFC)
- Indiana Vassilev (Philadelphia Union)
- Paxten Aaronson (Colorado Rapids)
- Zavier Gozo (Real Salt Lake)
- Niko Tsakiris (San Jose Earthquakes)
A drier spell for Pulisic has set fan nerves ablaze, yet statistical evaluations affirm his central role in offensive creation, ranking him among the top in expected goals and assists per 90 minutes in Serie A. Widespread youth talent elevates the forward group, reflecting a healthy pipeline from national academies, with notable players like Tsakiris demonstrating remarkable potential to influence the starting squad in the near future.
Striker Rankings
- Folarin Balogun (Monaco)
- Haji Wright (Coventry City)
- Ricardo Pepi (PSV)
- Josh Sargent (Toronto FC)
- Damion Downs (Hamburg)
- Brian White (Vancouver Whitecaps)
- Julian Hall (New York Red Bulls)
- Brandon Vázquez (Austin FC)
- Jesús Ferreira (Seattle Sounders)
- Charlie Kelman (Charlton Athletic)
- Preston Judd (San Jose Earthquakes)
- Logan Farrington (FC Dallas)
- Darren Yapi (Colorado Rapids)
- Duncan McGuire (Orlando City FC)
- Daryl Dike (West Bromwich Albion)
Leading the line is Folarin Balogun, an emerging star poised for international duty as part of a robust attacking front. His recent performances have marked him as one of Europe’s standout young forwards, with the possibility of integrating established players like Haji Wright and Ricardo Pepi vying for crucial roster spots. As the USMNT gears up for the World Cup, the depth in both the expected starting lineup and the bench showcases promising options across the board, echoing the evolution of talent and strategic planning going into this prestigious tournament.
