Goalkeepers
Pablo: Matt Turner (New England Revolution), Brian Schwake (Nashville SC), Chris Brady (Chicago Fire), Diego Kochen (Lyngby)
Jeff: Turner, Schwake, Kochen, Andrew Thomas (Seattle Sounders)
Maurer: Goalkeeper is probably the most straightforward position to forecast, although that does not necessarily reflect well on the available options. Turner appears set to remain the starter for now, while Kochen’s form and age—he is only 20—could help him earn playing time during this window. Pochettino has emphasized his desire to give several Olympic prospects valuable experience. Schwake should also be involved after delivering outstanding performances for the likely Supporters’ Shield winners. Pochettino recently highlighted Nashville while discussing clubs developing promising young players. At 25, Schwake is not especially young by conventional standards, but American goalkeepers often mature later than players in other positions. Beyond those candidates, it is difficult to determine who else the coach may have in mind.
Rueter: Turner is the only member of the World Cup goalkeeping group included again, largely because of his excellent MLS performances. His 10.7 goals prevented leads every goalkeeper, according to FotMob. Andrew Thomas ranks second with 9.6, while Brian Schwake is fourth with 8.2 for Nashville. Both are club-level standouts in their mid-20s who could provide alternatives to Matt Freese. Thomas helped Seattle defeat Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami in the Leagues Cup final, while Schwake was in goal when Nashville won the U.S. Open Cup. Brady’s positioning for Chicago remains inconsistent, whereas Diego Kochen has progressed from serving as a World Cup training goalkeeper to playing regularly during his loan spell at Lyngby.
Defenders
Maurer: Chris Richards (Crystal Palace), Tim Ream (Charlotte FC), Neil Pierre (Philadelphia Union), Justin Che (Red Bull New York), Auston Trusty (Celtic), Antonee Robinson (Fulham), Alex Freeman (Villarreal), Tim Weah (Marseille), Max Arfsten (Middlesborough), Peyton Miller (New England Revolution),
Rueter: Tristan Blackmon (Vancouver Whitecaps), Luca Bombino (Stoke City), Alex Freeman, Neil Pierre, Tim Ream, Chris Richards, Antonee Robinson, Tim Weah
Rueter: Robinson on the left and Freeman on the right should begin this cycle as the leading candidates to start on the flanks. Their potential backups reflect the different stages of their careers. Robinson is now 29, making it important to identify a younger alternative, and Luca Bombino is a strong candidate after his breakthrough with San Diego FC earned him a transfer to Stoke City. Bombino looks comfortable at left-back in a four-man defense, maintains reliable positioning and contributes less to chance creation than many modern full-backs. Freeman is still emerging, so a more experienced alternative makes sense on his side. Marseille captain Tim Weah should remain an important member of the squad despite a disappointing World Cup. Every one of his starts this season has come at right-back in a back four.
In central defense, Richards begins the cycle as the clear foundation of the back line, while Auston Trusty performed reasonably well during the summer. Tristan Blackmon found it difficult to settle during a hurried September introduction, but he has continued to excel as the leading defender for a Vancouver Whitecaps side that controls possession.
Maurer: Ream, the oldest American player to appear at a World Cup, might seem like an obvious omission from this and future squads. However, he has stated that he will not leave international soccer until he retires from the sport entirely, and Pochettino clearly appreciates his influence. He could also become an effective mentor for Miller, Pierre and Che as they establish themselves with the national team. Pierre still needs to improve his composure in possession, which may be a concern in Pochettino’s preferred system, but an 18-year-old prospect standing 6ft 7in will be difficult to overlook for a team needing greater depth in central defense.
Midfielders
Maurer: Tyler Adams (Bournemouth), Sebastian Berhalter (Middlesbrough), Adri Mehmeti (Red Bull New York), Aidan Morris (Middlesbrough), Yunus Musah (Milan), Gio Reyna (Strasbourg), Cavan Sullivan (Philadelphia Union)
Rueter: Tyler Adams, Sebastian Berhalter, Gianluca Busio (Venezia), Adri Mehmeti, Aidan Morris, Yunus Musah, Gio Reyna, Cavan Sullivan, Malik Tillman (Bayer Leverkusen), Niko Tsakiris (San Jose Earthquakes)
Maurer: Sullivan has gone from a possible selection to an almost guaranteed inclusion in only two months, and he now looks capable of making an immediate contribution for the US. I do not agree with his suggestion that he could have changed the result against Belgium, but his comments and Pochettino’s subsequent public response—without directly naming him—made one point clear: the coach is paying attention and may already be offering guidance to a highly promising player. Musah has also become a regular contributor for Milan this season, partly because of injuries elsewhere in the squad. It would be encouraging to see him maintain that momentum and return to the national-team setup.
Rueter: McKennie remains unavailable because of injury, while Adams has steadily increased his playing time during the opening part of Bournemouth’s season. He has an obvious role at the base of midfield, although carefully managing his minutes would be sensible. At 17, Mehmeti could learn behind Adams, even if his interpretation of the defensive-midfield role is considerably less physical.
Busio has impressed since returning to Serie A and is already captaining Venezia at 24. He can organize possession, move freely across midfield to influence matches and deliver incisive final passes, making him a logical alternative for the roaming role in which Tillman excelled during the summer. Tillman was arguably the team’s strongest World Cup performer, and his assist for Leverkusen’s equalizer this weekend showed why the attack can still be built around him. Since league play resumed in July, Sullivan has arguably been MLS’s best player regardless of age or nationality. Tsakiris was also one of the competition’s leading performers before suffering an injury in late spring, and his creativity would strengthen this group.
Forwards
Maurer: Folarin Balogun (Monaco), Zavier Gozo (Crystal Palace), Julian Hall (Red Bull New York), Ricardo Pepi (PSV), Christian Pulisic (Milan)
Rueter: Folarin Balogun, Sergiño Dest (PSV), Zavier Gozo, Julian Hall, Ricardo Pepi, Quinn Sullivan (Philadelphia Union), Alex Zendejas
Maurer: Balogun has not yet featured for Monaco this year, but his place in the squad still appears secure. After his proposed move to Everton collapsed amid considerable uncertainty, it would be good to see him recover his confidence and flourish with the US. Hall, once one of the most heavily promoted young American prospects, has lost some momentum with Red Bull this year. That is understandable for a teenage player, and he remains an exciting long-term option. If he stays healthy, he should also be a leading candidate for the Olympic squad.
Rueter: I have left out Christian Pulisic because he is still being gradually reintegrated at Milan. His immediate priority should be rebuilding his fitness and spending more time training under Amorim. Dest again proved vulnerable defensively at a World Cup, most noticeably against Belgium. With the team lacking depth at the back, using him in a more advanced position may be the better solution.
Gozo is a skillful dribbler who can create shooting opportunities for himself from almost any receiving position. As a natural candidate for the relatively thin right-wing role, the 19-year-old could provide a stronger scoring threat from wide areas than Pochettino has previously had. Quinn Sullivan is included on his own merits rather than simply because of his brother. The 22-year-old was one of Pochettino’s top performers at the Gold Cup and was pushing for a World Cup place before tearing his ACL in September. He is already making an impact again in Philadelphia’s attack.
Pepi continues to score consistently for a dominant PSV side, although his national-team displays still need considerable improvement beyond his ability to receive and protect the ball with his back to goal.
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