Honestly, if you’re still thinking about the 2022 squad as the "Golden Generation" in its infancy, you’re already behind. It is January 2026. The vibes have shifted. With the World Cup on home soil just months away, the conversation around usa soccer team players isn’t about potential anymore; it’s about who can actually survive Mauricio Pochettino’s "no-guarantees" regime.
Poch doesn't care about your FIFA rating. He doesn't care if you were the face of the program in 2021.
The reality on the ground is that the hierarchy has been shredded. Guys we thought were locks are fighting for their lives, while a new crop of dual-nationals and MLS breakout stars are crashing the party. If you haven't been paying attention to the tactical shifts in the late 2025 friendlies against Paraguay and Uruguay, the roster you see in June might genuinely shock you.
The Pulisic Paradox: Why the Captain's Role Has Changed
Christian Pulisic is still the talisman. Let’s get that out of the way. He’s 27 now, in the absolute prime of his career, and coming off a blistering 2025 with AC Milan where he netted 8 goals in just 13 Serie A matches. He’s the active leading scorer for the U.S. with 32 goals.
But here is what most people get wrong: he isn't the "do-everything" winger anymore.
Under Pochettino, Pulisic has been liberated. He isn't dropping to the halfway line to pick up the ball because the midfield can actually progress it now. With guys like Malik Tillman (now at Bayer Leverkusen) and Diego Luna (Real Salt Lake's breakout star) providing creative relief, Pulisic is being used as a lethal finisher.
He’s playing more like a shadow striker.
If you watch the tape from the 5-1 dismantling of Uruguay in November, Pulisic wasn't hugging the touchline. He was drifting inside, occupying spaces that Folarin Balogun vacated. It’s a sophisticated version of the "Captain America" we saw in Qatar, and it’s way harder to defend.
The Striker War: Balogun vs. Pepi
The No. 9 spot is a literal cage match right now.
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Folarin Balogun looked like he’d run away with it after scoring in three straight Champions League games for Monaco in late 2025. He’s got that "big game" pedigree. But he’s also been dealing with a nagging groin issue and most recently an undisclosed injury in a French Cup match against Orleans.
Then there’s Ricardo Pepi.
"The Pepi-Train" isn't just a meme. The kid has 13 goals in 34 caps and has been clinical for PSV Eindhoven. While Balogun offers more in build-up play, Pepi is a pure "fox in the box." Pochettino has been alternating them, and frankly, Pepi’s form in the Eredivisie—7 goals in 14 matches this season—makes him impossible to bench.
Don't be surprised if Haji Wright or even the physical Patrick Agyemang steals minutes here. Wright has been flying with Coventry City, and his ability to play wide or central gives Poch the tactical flexibility he craves.
What’s Going On with the "Jedi" and the Backline?
Antonee Robinson is the most underrated piece of this puzzle.
He didn't play a single minute for the USMNT in 2025. Not one. A serious knee surgery kept him out, and for a while, there was genuine panic that we’d be heading into a home World Cup with a massive hole at left back.
But "Jedi" is back.
He’s made six straight starts for Fulham recently. He’s still got that freakish engine, but Pochettino has been experimenting with a back three, which changes Robinson's responsibilities. If he’s a wingback, he’s a weapon. If Poch goes to a traditional four, Robinson has to prove his defensive discipline hasn't rusted.
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Behind him, Chris Richards has emerged as the clear leader.
Richards is starting every week for Crystal Palace. He’s the vocal leader now. Tim Ream is still around—79 caps and counting—but at his age, he’s more of a locker room presence and a "break glass in case of emergency" sub. The real riser is Alex Freeman from Orlando City. He’s been a revelation at right wingback, often pushing Sergiño Dest for that starting spot.
The Midfield Engine: It’s Not Just the "MMA" Anymore
We all remember McKennie, Musah, and Adams. The "MMA" midfield was the heartbeat of the 2022 cycle.
In 2026? It’s complicated.
- Tyler Adams: He’s finally healthy at Bournemouth, but he’s not the only defensive option anymore.
- Weston McKennie: Still at Juventus, still a goal threat on set pieces, but his consistency has been questioned.
- Yunus Musah: This is the big worry. He’s struggled for minutes at Atalanta. If you aren't playing for your club, Poch won't start you.
Enter Tanner Tessmann.
Tessmann has been thriving at Lyon. He can play the No. 6 or the No. 8, and at 6'3", he brings a physical profile that the U.S. midfield has lacked. He was arguably the best player on the pitch during the November window.
And don't sleep on Sebastian Berhalter.
Yeah, he’s the former coach’s son, but he’s earned his spot. His set-piece delivery for the Vancouver Whitecaps has been world-class. In a tight World Cup knockout game, having a specialist who can put a corner on a dime is worth a roster spot.
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The Goalkeeper Shakeup
If you think Matt Turner is the undisputed No. 1, you haven't been watching.
Matt Freese has basically snatched the gloves. The NYCFC keeper has been the most consistent American shot-stopper over the last 18 months. He’s got 13 caps now and has started almost every major game under Pochettino.
Turner is still in the mix, but he’s moved back to New England to get minutes. Meanwhile, Patrick Schulte (Columbus Crew) and Roman Celentano (FC Cincinnati) are breathing down their necks. For the first time in a decade, the U.S. has four keepers who could realistically start a World Cup game.
Tactical Reality Check
Pochettino is teaching this team how to suffer.
Under previous regimes, the U.S. tried to out-possess teams they had no business out-possessing. Poch has installed a "vertical" system. We press high, we win the ball, and we go for the throat in three passes or less.
It’s high-risk. It’s exhausting.
That’s why the bench matters so much. Guys like Brenden Aaronson and Gio Reyna (who is finally back in the fold at Gladbach) aren't just depth; they are tactical adjustments. Reyna, in particular, has been used as a "closer"—coming on in the 70th minute to unlock tired defenses with his vision.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you're following the usa soccer team players leading up to June, keep these three things in mind:
- Watch the March Friendlies: The matches against Belgium and Portugal in Atlanta are the final dress rehearsal. Whoever starts those games is 90% likely to start against Paraguay on June 12.
- Monitor the Injury List: Balogun and Robinson are the two biggest "if" factors. If their bodies hold up, the U.S. floor is a Quarterfinal. If they don't, the depth at striker and left back is thin.
- The "Dual-National" Factor: Keep an eye on any late-minute recruitments. Pochettino has been active in Europe scouting players with American eligibility who haven't committed yet.
The 2026 roster is deeper, meaner, and more experienced than any squad in U.S. history. But the pressure is unlike anything they’ve ever felt. Playing at home is a massive advantage—until you concede an early goal in Los Angeles. That’s when we’ll see what these players are truly made of.
To stay ahead of the curve, track the minutes of Malik Tillman and Tanner Tessmann in their respective European leagues over the next two months. Their fitness and form will likely dictate whether the U.S. midfield can compete with the world's elite in June.