Gold Cup Preparations and Roster Challenges
As the Gold Cup approached, it was anticipated that Mauricio Pochettino would finally get to assess his first-choice squad, particularly their capability to dominate matches and enhance their offensive output. Key inquiries loomed large: Who would fill the starting midfield roles? Would Timothy Weah’s strengths on the left flank be fully utilized?
However, the release of the tournament roster revealed a disappointing reality; the team’s star players, Christian Pulisic and Antonee Robinson, along with Pulisic’s AC Milan teammate Yunus Musah, chose to forgo this summer’s competition. Several other crucial players, including Weah and Weston McKennie from Juventus, as well as Giovanni Reyna from Borussia Dortmund, opted for FIFA’s newly introduced Club World Cup, while Folarin Balogun and Sergiño Dest withdrew due to injuries. To make matters worse, three starters from the USMNT’s recent disappointing 1-0 defeat against Panama in the Nations League—Joe Scally, Tanner Tessmann, and Josh Sargent—were also omitted from the Gold Cup squad.
In total, the roster is missing between five to nine potential starters, leaving major questions regarding the team’s best strategies unanswered until World Cup preparations ramp up later this year.
Assessing Team Depth
Nonetheless, this summer will provide insight into the depth of the US Men’s National Team (USMNT). To gauge how they stack up, I’m revisiting last summer’s analysis, offering insights into the top 15 players at every position within the USMNT player pool. The rankings here are derived from player form, their potential, and Pochettino’s apparent preferences from previous rosters. This exercise isn’t merely about ranking players but rather spotlighting talent areas where the team is abundant or could use emerging stars.
Position Rankings
Goalkeepers
1. Matt Turner (Crystal Palace) 2. Patrick Schulte (Columbus Crew) 3. Zack Steffen (Colorado Rapids) 4. Matthew Freese (New York City FC) 5. Chris Brady (Chicago Fire FC) 6. Diego Kochen (Barcelona) 7. Ethan Horvath (Cardiff City) 8. Roman Celentano (FC Cincinnati) 9. Jonathan Klinsmann (Cesena) 10. Gaga Slonina (Chelsea) 11. Brad Stuver (Austin FC) 12. Sean Johnson (Toronto FC) 13. John Pulskamp (Sporting Kansas City) 14. Joe Willis (Nashville SC)
Reflecting on last season’s observations, Turner’s playing time was limited, yet his performance on the field, although not extensive, was remarkable. He faced 32 shots across eight matches for both his club and country, allowing only seven goals against an expected tally of 10.46, which suggests he’s outperforming expectations given his playing time. Despite a lack of competition among MLS keepers, his role remains secure for now.
Fullbacks
1. Sergiño Dest (PSV Eindhoven) 2. Joe Scally (Borussia Monchengladbach) 3. Alex Freeman (Orlando City SC) 4. Nathan Harriel (Philadelphia Union) 5. Marlon Fossey (Standard Liege) 6. Shaq Moore (FC Dallas) 7. Bryan Reynolds (Westerlo) 8. DeAndre Yedlin (FC Cincinnati) 9. Reggie Cannon (Colorado Rapids) 10. Griffin Dorsey (Houston Dynamo FC) 11. Brooks Lennon (Atlanta United FC) 12. Jake Davis (Sporting Kansas City) 13. Bode Hidalgo (Real Salt Lake) 14. Kyle Duncan (New York Red Bulls) 15. Keegan Rosenberry (Colorado Rapids)
Dest stands out as the only dynamic game-changer in the fullback position, with the potential for others like Freeman to rise to the occasion. Meanwhile, Robinson remains the top choice despite missing the Gold Cup. His athleticism and offensive contributions last season made him one of the strongest left-backs in the Premier League, underscoring the importance of his recovery leading into the World Cup.
Center Backs
1. Chris Richards (Crystal Palace) 2. Tim Ream (Charlotte FC) 3. Mark McKenzie (Toulouse) 4. Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati) 5. Cameron Carter-Vickers (Celtic) 6. Auston Trusty (Celtic) 7. Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC) 8. George Campbell (CF Montréal) 9. Tristan Blackmon (Vancouver Whitecaps) 10. Jalen Neal (CF Montréal) 11. Noahkai Banks (FC Augsburg) 12. Jackson Ragen (Seattle Sounders FC) 13. Justen Glad (Real Salt Lake) 14. Aaron Long (LAFC) 15. Matt Miazga (FC Cincinnati)
The center-back pairing is crucial, with Ream aging, raising doubts about his capacity to perform at the World Cup level. The lack of experimentation with pairings may hinder the formation of effective defensive partnerships, particularly since each center-back’s forte relies heavily on understanding their partner’s style of play.
Midfielders
1. Weston McKennie (Juventus) 2. Yunus Musah (AC Milan) 3. Malik Tillman (PSV Eindhoven) 4. Jack McGlynn (Houston Dynamo) 5. Diego Luna (Real Salt Lake) 6. Gio Reyna (Borussia Dortmund) 7. Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United) 8. Quinn Sullivan (Philadelphia Union) 9. Luca de la Torre (San Diego FC) 10. Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps) 11. Paxten Aaronson (Eintracht Frankfurt) 12. Gianluca Busio (Venezia) 13. Brian Gutierrez (Chicago Fire) 14. Richard Ledezma (PSV Eindhoven) 15. Benjamin Cremaschi (Inter Miami CF)
With several options emerging, this area boasts solid depth, but can the midfielders rise to the occasion? While McKennie remains a key player, Musah‘s promising future needs to materialize before the World Cup, where tactical chemistry could be tested more rigorously.
Forwards
1. Christian Pulisic (AC Milan) 2. Timothy Weah (Juventus) 3. Alejandro Zendejas (Club América) 4. Griffin Yow (Westerlo) 5. Matko Miljevic (Huracán) 6. Kevin Paredes (VfL Wolfsburg) 7. Cade Cowell (Guadalajara) 8. Indiana Vassilev (Philadelphia Union) 9. Paul Arriola (Seattle Sounders FC) 10. Cole Campbell (Borussia Dortmund) 11. Alex Muyl (Nashville SC) 12. Emmanuel Sabbi (Vancouver Whitecaps) 13. Taylor Booth (FC Utrecht) 14. Konrad De La Fuente (Lausanne Sports) 15. Jared Stroud (D.C. United)
Pulisic stands as the key attacking figure for the USMNT, with high expectations resting on his shoulders. Weah fulfills a supportive role but lacks the dynamism necessary to match Pulisic’s output. With emerging prospects like Zendejas and Yow not being included in the Gold Cup, the team needs others to assume greater responsibility to step up in front of goal.
Strikers
1. Folarin Balogun (AS Monaco) 2. Ricardo Pepi (PSV Eindhoven) 3. Patrick Agyemang (Charlotte FC) 4. Haji Wright (Coventry City) 5. Brian White (Vancouver Whitecaps) 6. Damion Downs (FC Cologne) 7. Josh Sargent (Norwich City) 8. Brandon Vázquez (Austin FC) 9. Jesús Ferreira (Seattle Sounders FC) 10. Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders FC) 11. Jordan Pefok (Stade de Reims) 12. Daryl Dike (West Bromwich Albion) 13. Jeremy Ebobisse (LAFC) 14. Samuel Adeniran (LASK Linz) 15. Nicholas Gioacchini (Asteras Tripolis)
In a competitive landscape, Balogun and Pepi are emerging as noteworthy options, but their injury statuses raise concerns. The narrowing depth in the winger positions juxtaposed with the increasing number of strikers provides a tactical dilemma for Pochettino.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the Gold Cup will pose a test for various players, highlighting the squad’s depth as they prepare for the challenges of the upcoming World Cup. The true capabilities of the USMNT may emerge more clearly as lesser-known players seize their moments throughout this summer’s tournament.
