Laken Litman
College Football & Soccer Analyst
While the U.S. men’s national team fell just short of claiming a trophy this summer, the squad must now shift its focus to the 2026 World Cup. For manager Mauricio Pochettino, that means honing in on 26 players who can help the team compete.
On Sunday night in front of a sold-out crowd at NRG Stadium in Houston, Mexico defeated the U.S. 2-1 to clinch back-to-back Concacaf Gold Cup titles. That signaled the last time the USMNT will play a competitive match before co-hosting the sport’s biggest event in less than a year.
The team won’t convene again until September when it hosts Korea Republic and Japan in a pair of friendlies (Sept. 6 in Harrison, N.J. and Sept. 9 in Columbus, Ohio, respectively). Whoever is called in for that camp will seemingly have an inside track to a World Cup roster spot.
But who will those players be? While Christian Pulisic, Antonee “Jedi” Robinson, Yunus Musah, Weston McKennie, Tim Weah and Sergino Dest likely would have been starters at the Gold Cup had they been part of the roster – they were not for a multitude of reasons – how will their spots be impacted by players who impressed Pochettino and his staff this summer?
There’s no doubt that after this summer’s tournament, Pochettino’s mindset is shifting. But who stood out? Who bought more time to prove themselves? And who has more work to do to stay in the mix for 2026? We take a look below:
Note: This list does not include players who were at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar (Tyler Adams, Tim Ream, Luca De La Torre, Brenden Aaronson, Matt Turner), nor does it include Chris Richards, who was one of the best players at the Gold Cup.
Who Stood Out The Most?
(Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)
Diego Luna: The most talked-about USMNT player of the Gold Cup. Luna started every match except for the third group stage game vs. Haiti due to sitting on a yellow card. Luna provided a spark and energy on the pitch and scored the two goals in the semifinal win over Guatemala in the first 15 minutes. While he didn’t have enough of an impact in the final against Mexico – the side his family rooted for while he was growing up – he is an example of a guy who has taken control of an opportunity. And it should serve him well and lead to a spot on the World Cup roster.
[RELATED: Coffee Cups To the World Cup? Diego Luna’s Path to Stardom]
Malik Tillman: Whereas Luna was the participant with probably the most buzz, Tillman was probably the most gifted. The 23-year-old attacking midfielder began each sport and scored three targets and added two assists. Whereas his rise throughout the nationwide workforce has been sluggish, he grew to become the workforce’s breakout participant of the match. Tillman confirmed his finesse, toughness and high quality, which galvanized Pochettino who described him as “one of the crucial gifted gamers I feel that we now have within the USA.”
Matt Freese: There’s no query Freese’s inventory rose throughout the Gold Cup. Pochettino elected to start out the 26-year-old, 6’6″, New York Metropolis FC goalkeeper over Matt Turner in each single match. Freese posted clear sheets within the first two matches and was the hero within the penalty shootout victory over Costa Rica within the quarterfinal, the place he guessed proper 5 straight occasions and saved three spot kicks. Freese entered camp with no single cap to his identify, and now he has seven. He made some errors (the purpose he allowed vs. Haiti), however responded effectively to adversity and his efficiency has created a battle between him and Turner that might final for the subsequent a number of months.
Who Purchased Some Time?
(Photograph by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Pictures)
Sebastian Berhalter: The son of former U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter actually earned himself one other name up. If for no different cause than the standard of his service on set items. Sebastian Berhalter had two assists within the Gold Cup – each off free kicks that discovered Chris Richards’ head. He’s been engaged on them for some time now with the Vancouver Whitecaps, and he’s introduced that talent to the nationwide workforce. However that a part of his sport isn’t the one cause why he’s possible endeared himself to this teaching workers. He’s a participant who confirmed struggle in each match, standing up for his teammates and enjoying with aggression – traits that Pochettino actually appreciates.
Alex Freeman: The youngest participant from this Gold Cup squad. The 20-year-old Freeman began each sport at proper again. And whereas that was due partly to the truth that Dest was not able to play, Freeman took maintain of the chance regardless of a couple of nervy moments. He’s uniquely suited to be a star for the USMNT in the future due to his sheer athletic skill and pace. His dad, Antonio Freeman, is a Tremendous Bowl champion and he taught him be an expert at a younger age. Alex Freeman was stable on the again line all match and almost scored a crucial purpose within the last, however his header was blocked by goalkeeper Angel Malgon’s face proper earlier than halftime.
[RELATED: Who is Alex Freeman? The U.S. youngster on fútbol over football]
Max Arfsten: The 24-year-old defender began each sport apart from one at left again, taking the place of Antonee “Jedi” Robinson whereas the Fulham star was recovering from offseason knee surgical procedure. Whereas Jedi will get his spot again when wholesome, Arfsten gives a robust possibility as a backup ready that wants extra depth. Arfsten was up and down this match – like within the quarterfinal vs. Costa Rica when he gave up a penalty however later had an help and a purpose. He has pace, a strong shot and may play extra of an attacking function – equally to Jedi. He had a couple of scoring alternatives that he didn’t end, however is aware of put himself in place to be harmful.
Who Has Work To Do?
(Photograph by Invoice Barrett/ISI Photographs/USSF/Getty Pictures)
Patrick Agyemang: The 6’4″ 24-year-old striker has scored 5 targets in simply 12 U.S. appearances, with two coming throughout the Gold Cup. On paper, Agyemang’s dimension, pace and physicality make him seem to be he has what it takes to be the beginning striker. However too many occasions he fails to complete probabilities in entrance of purpose, which calls into query his readiness to be the man. Agyemang, who has drawn curiosity from European golf equipment, has higher positioned himself to be thought of for the World Cup roster. However Folarin Balogun and Ricardo Pepi, who weren’t with the squad this summer season as a consequence of accidents, are nonetheless the front-runners.
Jack McGlynn: Typically one of many first substitutes off the bench. Like Berhalter, McGlynn has a knack for a superbly positioned set piece. He exudes confidence when on the pitch and made a press release with the purpose he scored towards Turkiye in a pre-Gold Cup pleasant. The 22-year-old midfielder, who simply signed an extension with the Houston Dynamo, is without doubt one of the prime younger gamers in MLS proper now. However will that be sufficient to land him on Pochettino’s World Cup roster?
John Tolkin: Like McGlynn, Tolkin was normally one of many first subs to enter a match throughout the Gold Cup. The left-back performed in 4 video games and tallied one help – on Agyemang’s purpose vs. Haiti – and was referred to as on to take a penalty throughout the quarterfinal shootout vs. Costa Rica. Had Tolkin transformed from the spot, the USMNT would have received the sport proper there, however the 22-year-old defender missed as goalkeeper Keylor Navas made a crucial save. Pochettino confirmed belief in him, however Tolkin is probably going decrease within the pecking order amongst defenders proper now.
Laken Litman covers school soccer, school basketball and soccer for FOX Sports activities. She beforehand wrote for Sports activities Illustrated, USA At this time and The Indianapolis Star. She is the writer of “Sturdy Like a Lady,” printed in spring 2022 to mark the fiftieth anniversary of Title IX. Comply with her at @LakenLitman.
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