Significant Changes for USMNT Supporters
A year can bring about significant changes, especially for supporters of the U.S. men’s national soccer team (USMNT). While the hopes of fans were dampened in 2024—marked by Timothy Weah’s controversial incident and an early exit from the Copa America—recent developments have sparked a renewed sense of optimism. This transformation began when U.S. Soccer chose to part ways with head coach Gregg Berhalter, a decision that pleased many. The excitement escalated further when Mauricio Pochettino was appointed as the new head coach, eliciting enthusiastic responses from the fanbase.
Confusion Over Roster Strategies
However, as the 2025 soccer season unfolds, confusion prevails over Pochettino’s roster strategies, leaving many analysts pondering which players are truly secure spots on the squad for the upcoming World Cup. Apart from stalwarts like Christian Pulisic, Chris Richards, Tyler Adams, and Antonee Robinson, the team composition appears to be in a state of flux, with inconsistent performances and frequent experimentation making predictions challenging.
USMNT Player Performance Index (PPI)
In the spirit of assessing player potential amidst this uncertainty, we are reintroducing the USMNT Player Performance Index (PPI) for the 2025-26 season. This index evaluates American players based on their club performance, ranking the top 50 based on certain criteria—playing time, team quality, and crowd-sourced salary data. While early in the season, each of these elements weighs differently in our assessment: team quality from Opta’s rankings impacts the scores minimally (15%), and player playing time contributes further (5%). The majority of this assessment is derived from Transfermarkt’s player valuations.
Early Results and Player Evaluations
The early results reveal which players are not meeting expectations. Among the USMNT roster, goalkeepers Jonathan Klinsmann and Matt Freese, as well as defenders Tim Ream, Max Arfsten, Sean Zawadzki, Alex Freeman, and Nathan Harriel, alongside midfielders Luca de la Torre and Sebastian Berhalter, have not broken into the top 50 due to their projected transfer values remaining below €2.5 million. Notably absent also are Patrick Agyemang and Brandon Vázquez, sidelined by injuries.
Entering into individual player evaluations, it’s essential to address the early-season contributions and challenges faced by established talents like Antonee Robinson, who is in recovery but was previously a standout left back. Other players, such as Weston McKennie, have had fluctuating visibility under new management at their clubs, sparking discussions about his ongoing value to the national team. Meanwhile, players like Bellingham and Reyna are proving valuable despite early hurdles.
Looking Ahead
As we delve deeper into club performances, it becomes clear that while early-season data can be misleading, certain players like Sergiño Dest at PSV are emerging as front-runners in pivotal aspects such as progressive passing, showcasing their importance for both club and country.
This inaugural listing for the 2025-26 season serves not only to assess current performance but also to start a conversation around who might ultimately earn a place on the World Cup roster. With the season still in its nascent stages, there will be opportunities for rankings to shift dramatically as players find form or face challenges through the upcoming matches. The PPI stands as a barometer of where American players currently stand, providing insights into who might rise to the occasion on the international stage next summer.
