Key Takeaways:
- The USMNT is trending upward with optimism abundant, but the roster and starting 11 are far from settled ahead of the World Cup.
- Key position battles include midfield, right back, and striker, with several players vying for spots.
- Christian Pulisic is a locked-in starter, while Gio Reyna’s health and form are concerns.
- The team’s flexibility and versatility will play a significant role in determining the final roster and starting lineup.
- Goalkeeper Matt Freese is the current frontrunner, but Matt Turner could still win back his place with strong performances.
Introduction to the USMNT’s Position Battles
The USMNT is entering 2026 with a sense of optimism, but the team is still far from a finished product. With a home World Cup just six months away, the roster and starting 11 are still up for grabs. The national team will only gather once between now and the naming of the World Cup roster in late May, so players will have to prove their worth at their clubs. Christian Pulisic, for example, has already done that, leading the Italian Serie A in goals plus assists per 90 minutes. However, other spots, including midfield, right back, and striker, are still uncertain.
The Midfield Conundrum
The USMNT’s midfield has undergone a significant evolution over the past seven months, with the team now playing in a hybrid 3-4-2-1/4-4-2 setup. This tweak means the team will likely start with two attacking midfielders on the field along with two central midfielders. Tyler Adams feels like a natural starter as one of those two players, but his injury and health are concerns. Other players, such as Tanner Tessmann, Cristian Roldan, Aidan Morris, and Johnny Cardoso, are fighting it out for the No. 6 spot. Meanwhile, Weston McKennie, who was once seen as a natural midfield partner for Adams, might be a better fit as one of the dual No. 10s in the 3-4-2-1 formation.
Gio Reyna’s Uncertain Future
Gio Reyna’s health, form, and availability are major concerns for the USMNT. Reyna, 23, was once considered the best American prospect ever, but the last four seasons have been marred by injury. Despite a glimmer of hope, with Reyna starting four consecutive games for Borussia Monchengladbach in December, his ability to stay healthy and regain his previous levels of production is uncertain. Pulisic is a locked-in starter, but the other attacking midfield spot is up for grabs, with Malik Tillman, McKennie, Reyna, Diego Luna, and Tim Weah all in the mix.
The Right Back Dilemma
The USMNT’s right back position is another area of uncertainty, with Sergiño Dest, Alex Freeman, Joe Scally, and Tim Weah all vying for the spot. The team’s flexibility and versatility will play a significant role in determining the final lineup, with the possibility of starting three center backs or using a hybrid right back/wingback. The battle for the right back spot is an interesting study in the different ways the USMNT can beat opponents, with Freeman’s ability to play as a hybrid third center back/right back adding another attacking element.
Goalkeeper Competition
Goalkeeper has been a position of uncertainty for the USMNT, with Matt Freese currently the frontrunner. However, Matt Turner, who has more upside and World Cup experience, could still win back his place with strong performances in MLS this spring. Freese has proven himself to Pochettino, but the competition is not closed, and the USMNT coaches will be watching both goalkeepers closely.
Striker Depth Chart
Folarin Balogun has almost cemented himself as the USMNT’s starting striker, but the depth chart behind him remains in flux. Haji Wright, Ricardo Pepi, Patrick Agyemang, and Josh Sargent are all vying for spots, with the question of who will be Balogun’s backup/supersub and whether the team will take four strikers to the World Cup still up in the air. The answers will depend on form, with Pepi feeling like the biggest wild card and Agyemang potentially filling a unique role if he continues to play well for Derby County.