Just 3 weeks or so until Pochettino announces his 26-man squad for the upcoming matches, and it’s now 6 weeks or so until the USMNT takes to the park to face Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in the biggest World Cup in history.
The Pulisic Problem
Christian Pulisic last scored a goal on December 28, 2025. Since then, he has played approximately 19 matches for club and country, but he has not been able to find the back of the net. He is currently dealing with a strained buttock and was not in the AC Milan lineup for their match against Atalanta in early May. It is unclear whether or not he will be ready to join the team when they head to camp on May 27 in Atlanta.
Pulisic isn’t concerned, though, and told reporters, “I plan on scoring goals. Such bad questions. I’m not concerned about it, man.” The problem, however, for Pulisic and Pochettino is that Pulisic’s club partnership with Rafael Leao, one of the biggest stars in AC Milan, fell apart in the disastrous winter transfer window for the Italian outfit.
Folarin Balogun has moved to Monaco; Ricardo Pepi is scoring 14 goals in 24 Eredivisie games; Haji Wright is adjusting to life at Coventry. None of that necessarily puts any extra pressure on Pulisic. This USMNT is traveling with him. And so we have to go with whatever variant of Captain America shows up on June 12.
The Goalkeeper Conundrum
Matt Freese has started 14 of the last 15 matches for Pochettino but Kasey Keller was forthright. “No one in Europe is looking at Matt Freese and saying that is my guy,” he said.
Freese has 120 appearances as a first-team player. All in MLS. That is to match the 360 of Tim Howard before the World Cup 2010. The existing pool, Freese, Gaga Slonina, Roman Celentano, and Patrick Schulte, is a young, domestic, and untested high-end pool. Matt Turner, the 22 World Cup starter, rejoins the MLS on a loan at 31 years old without being back to his usual self.
The Center Back Lottery
The only lock is Chris Richards. After that? Tim Ream has looked a step slow. Auston Trusty has been good, but not great. With a groin injury, Miles Robinson missed the March window.
Pochettino has experimented with a back three, but reverted to a hybrid four-at-the-back in March that exposed Antonee Robinson against Portugal. Who partners with Richards? Is Ream able to cope with elite velocity?
The Midfield Mystery
The heartbeat is Tyler Adams. When he is on the field. He is already wounded twice in the last four months, and the entire tactical scheme is based on his availability.
Weston McKennie has never performed better at Juventus, and it has been his best season, with five goals and five assists in around 30 appearances across all competitions. Where does he play?–where? It has reduced McKennie to a jack-of-all-trades in a USMNT shirt due to Pochettino firmly tinkering with him.
Johnny Cardoso has ripped his ankle to shreds to the point where he is having surgery and is completely out of the World Cup. He was third on the depth chart. Now Pochettino is considering Tanner Tessmann, who missed the season finale of Lyon due to a muscle strain, or Aidan Morris or Cristian Roldan.
The Injury Avalanche
It’s not just Pulisic and Cardoso. Tim Weah was absent due to an unspecified injury in the last match of Marseille, and has not taken part since April 26. Patrick Agyemang has torn his Achilles tendon at Stoke City and is out for the summer. John Tolkin has a problem with the inner knee ligament. Jonathan Klinsmann is out, with a broken neck. The strain in the muscles of Tanner Tessmann is only more of a mess.
The Captain Question
Alexi Lalas did not restrain himself: I do not think that Christian Pulisic is the captain that this team needs or wants. Freddy Adu told him to remove the armband from him totally, just as they did with Landon Donovan in 2010.
Pochettino still hasn’t named a permanent captain. He continues to say that the badge, the federation, the flag is bigger than any name. Well said, but somebody must take action when Paraguay scores first. At the current point, the USMNT is unaware of who that person is.
The Dream vs. The Reality
Pulisic confirmed to TIME that he is lying in bed and visualizing himself with the World Cup trophy. Why not? he said.
This team is more talented than any previous USMNT. But, three weeks prior to the announcement of the roster, questions are still more numerous than answers. Will Pulisic find his scoring shoes? Is Freese up to it? Would Pochettino be able to select a backline and keep it? Will Adams be able to remain on the pitch?
This generation has been preparing for the 2026 World Cup since they were children. The stage is set. The entire nation is on watch.
However, initially, the USMNT must determine who they are.
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