With January camp complete, GOAL projects which players could be on the USMNT roster for Nations League in March
The door has only just closed on the U.S. men's national team's January camp, but the next door is already starting to squeak open. It never ends. The moment one gathering ends, preparation begins for the next, and, in the USMNT's case, that next gathering comes with a trophy opportunity.
The USMNT will turn its focus to March's CONCACAF Nations League finals, a far more significant event than this January camp. Mauricio Pochettino's team will play Panama in a semifinal on March 20. The U.S. has excelled in this competition since its inception, and it will offer Pochettino his first shot at silverware.
Previous coaches Gregg Berhalter and interim boss B.J. Callaghan both secured trophies, and Pochettino will be expected to follow suit.
In terms of roster, most of it picks itself, although that does depend on availability. Several USMNT regulars face fights against time to be fit for this competition, while others will need to turn their club situations around to be in contention. Transfers could still impact this in a major way, too.
Pochettino said after Wednesday's victory over Costa Rica that he and his staff would be immediately traveling to Europe to watch Americans abroad in advance of the Nations League semifinal in March.
“We're going to see different clubs that are in Europe, players who can be involved in March,” he said. “Then come back here and do things here. Open plan, because there could be circumstances that change. Go to Europe and then back again here to prepare for the next competition – that is going to be nice and really important for us.”
So who could be in the March Nations League squad? Which players are on the outside looking in? Which January camp stars will feel like they could and should be in the mix for Pochettino's next team? GOAL takes a look.
Getty Images SportGoalkeepers
GOAL's picks: Patrick Schulte, Zack Steffen, Matt Turner
In the mix:Matt Freese, Ethan Horvath, Diego Kochen
The three goalkeepers involved seem pretty clear. The big question centers around who will start.
Turner is still the favorite, despite his lack of minutes at the club level. Pochettino backed him when asked about his status at Crystal Palace during January camp, praising him for the performances he has put in when given the chance. Even so, that situation can't last forever, particularly with two club-level starters in the squad.
Schulte didn't have much to do last week in the USMNT's 3-1 win against Venezuela, which certainly doesn't hurt his case. Steffen, meanwhile, erased some doubts with a very good performance in Wednesday's 3-0 blanking of Costa Rica. Both should be in the squad, and both will feel they'll have a chance to win a starting spot at some point down the line.
AdvertisementGettyDefenders
GOAL's picks: Cameron Carter-Vickers, Richy Ledezma, Mark McKenzie, Tim Ream, Chris Richards, Antonee Robinson, Joe Scally
In the mix:Sergino Dest, Marlon Fossey, Kristoffer Lund, Miles Robinson, John Tolkin, Auston Trusty, Walker Zimmerman
The fullback situation largely comes down to one big question: is Dest ready to go? He seems to be nearing a return with PSV, but will he actually be fit enough to play at the international level by March? Even if he is, it may make sense to just skip this one and let him continue to build himself back up at PSV as he recovers from his year-long absence due to that ACL tear.
If he can't go, Scally has more than held down that spot, so no worries there. No worries on the left, either, with Antonee Robinson in the form of his life. The likes of Weston McKennie and Tim Weah can provide cover out there, so no need to waste too many roster spots on backup fullbacks. Pochettino should bring one, though, in either Ledezma, Lund, or Tolkin. Dealer's choice there.
As for center backs, it's wildly competitive, and no one should feel particularly good or bad about missing this squad. There are six or seven with a legitimate argument, but only four can make it. For this exercise, we'll go with Ream's experience, to start, but that also depends on how well he begins the next MLS season.
McKenzie and Richards have done well under Pochettino before, while Carter-Vickers is the wild card. He hasn't played under the new boss yet, but knows him from Tottenham. For that, we'll give him the slightest of edges over Trusty and Miles Robinson, who could also easily make this squad.
USA Today ImagesMidfielders
GOAL's picks: Brenden Aaronson, Tyler Adams, Johnny Cardoso,Weston McKennie, Aidan Morris, Yunus Musah, Gio Reyna
In the mix: Gianluca Busio, Luca de la Torre, Diego Luna, Jack McGlynn, Malik Tillman, Tanner Tessmann
A tough list to shake out, but you can write a few names in Sharpie.
That starts with the traditional MMA midfield of McKennie, Musah, and Adams. McKennie has been fantastic for Juve in just about every position. Musah has looked great under Pochettino in different spots as well. Adams, meanwhile, is finally back to his best after a series of injuries and is running the show for Bournemouth. That's almost certainly your starting midfield right there.
One of the big questions comes in the attacking midfield spots. More accurately, that big question centers around Gio Reyna. So much can change between now and then, and that change could include a transfer or loan. On just talent, has Reyna done enough to justify a place in this squad? His playing time doesn't show it, but will that stop Pochettino?
Aaronson and Tillman have earned their spots as attacking options who could both play centrally or out wide. However, there are questions about Tillman's fitness after a recent ankle injury. Like Dest, it may make sense to just leave Tillman at PSV depending on where he is in that recovery process, which, right now, looks like it could take a bit of time.
If that keeps him out, Pochettino knows he can trust Luna, who just made one hell of an impression in January camp. Ultimately, there could end up being a decision of Luna vs Reyna. It would be hard to imagine saying this a year ago, but that might just be a tough call.
Meanwhile, as deeper cover, you have Morris and Cardoso to help see out games should the U.S. be in that position. McGlynn is certainly in the mix based on his own January showing, as is Busio, who continues to be one of the few bright spots for Venezia. As for Tessmann, things can change quickly with him if he can find a way to get more minutes at Lyon.
IMAGNForwards
GOAL's picks: Ricardo Pepi, Christian Pulisic, Josh Sargent, Tim Weah, Alejandro Zendejas, Patrick Agyemang
In the mix:Folarin Balogun, Cade Cowell, Brandon Vazquez, Haji Wright
Starting with the strikers, the current timetable has Balogun returning in April, which leaves him out of this mix. That opens up a spot, and the question is if it falls to Agyemang or Vazquez. Again, MLS stars will play a part in this but, given his January performance – two goals in two games – Agyemang might just have enough to make that previously unfathomable leap into this team.
Don't write off Vazquez, though, as he'll be THE guy in Austin. Either way, Ricardo Pepi should be the starter, particularly if he keeps scoring for PSV.
Out wide, Pulisic is Pulisic and Weah is Weah, so no doubts there. There are questions about backups, though. Zendejas was fantastic for Club America to close out a title-winning 2024, so he should be involved. Cowell has a legitimate argument, as does Wright, if he can get back healthy and firing for Coventry.
Spots in the attack often come down to who is scoring at a particular moment, making this group the most volatile heading toward March's roster selection.