Some are in a position, it only seems obvious, to the coach, the fans, and the player himself. Tim Weah is not such a player.
The 26-year-old American attacker is skilled enough to be anywhere in the final third. However, with the USMNT heading to a home World Cup, no one knows where Mauricio Pochettino would prefer to utilize him. As the tournament approaches, this ambiguity is beginning to seem less a virtue of versatility and more of a problem waiting to be solved.
Who is Tim Weah?
Weah is an interesting character. He is the son of Ballon d’Or-winning and former President of Liberia George Weah, and was born in Brooklyn. But Tim decided to defend the United States and has made his career in creating his identity.
He graduated from the academy of PSG, made his breakout on loan with Celtic, and contributed to the unlikely Ligue 1 title at Lille in 2020-21 and signed with Juventus in 2023. The Juventus years had been tough – Weah confessed afterwards that he had been leaving as a broken player. He had a new start in the form of moving to Marseille on loan last summer.
This season has been much better. He has appeared 25 times, scored 2 goals and 2 assists, and logged more than 2,200 minutes of play, primarily as a right wingback during the reign of Roberto De Zerbi. It appears the reboot was successful.
The big question now is: what exactly has this reset made of him, and is it what the USMNT requires?
Pochettino’s Unsolved Puzzle
Weah has played everywhere since Pochettino arrived in September 2024: left wing, right wing, left wingback, right wingback, and even central striker at Juventus. It was even reported that the staff moved him to the left side because he is left-eyed dominant.
Weah has taken it in stride. You know, I am so used to it, he said the other day. “It’s kind of second nature for me now.”
Still, there is a large distinction between a player who can adjust and a coach who has a definite strategy. Weah also played in March 2026 friendlies against Belgium and Portugal, as a wingback- the same position as at Marseille. He passed it on, and he also lost a lot of energy in defensive tracing.
His appearances on the team under Pochettino have been sporadic as well. Left early, returned, left early. Such an element of uncertainty so near a home World Cup is hardly ideal.
The Real Debate
The argument that it is rational to play him as a wingback is valid. Pochettino tends to play with a back three, and Weah is a right player who has good pace, athleticism, and now has better defensive work at Marseille, and would make a good fit. It does not bring about a defensive balance breakdown.
The fact against it is just as much. Weah is most dangerous when he is running with space against defenders in the prototypical winger position. His seven international goals, such as that massive one against Wales at the 2022 World Cup, occurred when he was free to attack. It might be a waste of his best to make use of him so deeply.
Weah has been frank with himself. He recently told CBS Sports that he believes he will be more of a winger than wingback because of the attributes he will bring to the national team.
Where Things Stand
On May 26, the 26-man roster was announced, and Weah was included. Being chosen has not put an end to the debate, only postponed the final decision until June 12, when Pochettino announces his starting lineup against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium.
He has been employed by three European clubs in the last four seasons in three different capacities. His coach in the national team has as well. It is amazing how flexible he can be, but the fact that he is 26 years old and yet has not located his real home is also somewhat exasperating.
The World Cup will very soon demand a response, whether Pochettino and Weah are prepared or not.
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