{"id":6680,"date":"2026-05-12T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-05-12T10:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rjbarrett.redirectme.net\/?p=6680"},"modified":"2026-05-12T10:00:00","modified_gmt":"2026-05-12T10:00:00","slug":"usmnt-world-cup-squad-prediction-how-mauricio-pochettinos-call-ups-determine-the-26","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rjbarrett.redirectme.net\/?p=6680","title":{"rendered":"USMNT World Cup squad prediction: how Mauricio Pochettino\u2019s call-ups determine the 26"},"content":{"rendered":"


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In exactly two weeks, Mauricio Pochettino will determine which 26 players will represent the United States at this summer\u2019s World Cup. The decision may be even harder than you\u2019d expect<\/p>\n

Across 24 games as US boss, Pochettino has deployed 61 different players for first-hand assessment, and his tenure so far has provided scant evidence of a crystalized core.<\/p>\n

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Only six USMNT players have logged even a thousand minutes under the Argentinian\u2019s watch; a staggering 34 have played fewer than 250. Tim Ream has been the most-trusted charge, with 1,557 minutes, while Cade Cowell saw the briefest deployment in a single 12-minute cameo. Fifteen players have made at least 10 appearances under Pochettino. Perhaps most interesting: of the 29 players who have made no more than five appearances, four seem like certain bets to be involved when the World Cup group stage starts in June.<\/p>\n

Which players have become trusted mainstays of Pochettino\u2019s USMNT, and which former sure things will be sweating his decisions ahead of 26 May?<\/p>\n

Players sorted by minutes played under Pochettino. Grouped by primary roles, but includes all caps\/minutes since 12 October 2024 regardless of role<\/em><\/p>\n

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Goalkeepers<\/h2>\n
<\/svg><\/span>Matt Freese is the most likely starter for the US based on past minutes with the group. <\/span> Photograph: Erik S Lesser\/EPA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

1) Matt Freese \u2013 14 caps, 1,260 minutes<\/strong><\/p>\n

2) Matt Turner \u2013 8 caps, 720 minutes<\/strong><\/p>\n

3)= Patrick Schulte \u2013 one cap, 90 minutes<\/strong><\/p>\n

3)= Zack Steffen \u2013 one cap, 90 minutes<\/strong><\/p>\n

What\u2019s more important for a national team goalkeeper: club form or chemistry?<\/p>\n

Turner opened the Pochettino era as the incumbent and first choice, but Freese\u2019s run during last summer\u2019s Gold Cup kicked off a 14-starts-from-15 stretch. While Turner was hardly at fault in March\u2019s 5-2 loss to Beligum (his lone recent start), giving up five goals never leaves a reassuring impression.<\/p>\n

And yet, it\u2019s the New England keeper who has fared better in the first three months of the MLS season. Turner is second among all MLS goalkeepers with 5.6 goals prevented (comparing goals conceded against post-shot xG faced), per FotMob. While Freese is narrowly ahead of expectations, at 0.7 goals prevented, that ranks 15th among regular starters across the 30-team league.<\/p>\n

Still, Freese\u2019s shootout heroics against Keylor Navas and Costa Rica last summer made clear he can handle pressure. As for the rest: Schulte is maintaining a 0.8 goals prevented clip, 14th in MLS, while Steffen has been MLS\u2019s fourth-poorest goal preventer at -3.2. Whoever is starting, Schulte is near-certain to be the emergency option.<\/p>\n

Left-backs<\/h2>\n
<\/svg><\/span>Max Arfsten has earned more minutes at left-back or left wingback than anyone in the pool under Pochettino. <\/span> Photograph: Jeff Dean\/AP<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

1) Max Arfsten \u2013 18 caps, 1,156 minutes<\/strong><\/p>\n

2) Antonee Robinson \u2013 six caps, 399 minutes<\/strong><\/p>\n

3) John Tolkin \u2013 six caps, 235 minutes<\/strong><\/p>\n

Others: DeJuan Jones (two caps, 115 minutes), Kristoffer Lund (two caps, 68 minutes); Marlon Fossey (one cap, 45 minutes)<\/em><\/p>\n

Robinson and Sergi\u00f1o Dest are still the assumed starters at the two full-back spots. However, injuries have kept both from regular involvement, opening the door for alternatives.<\/p>\n

One of three players to appear in at least two-thirds of Pochettino\u2019s matches in charge, Arfsten brings considerable progressive instincts that make him a dangerous option as a left wing-back with three center-backs behind him. The problems come when he\u2019s asked to play on the edge of a back four, as his upfield scampers cede golden opportunities for opponents to counter. He\u2019s an excellent option off the bench, but it\u2019s likely Robinson\u2019s spot to hold. The United States\u2019 best moments at the start of both March friendlies often came at his feet, from his progression and line-breaking distribution to his positional dependency when the opponents took over. Fulham missed him dearly in stretches of 2025-26, but Pochettino will be thankful he\u2019s on track for this summer.<\/p>\n

Right-backs<\/h2>\n
<\/svg><\/span>Sergi\u00f1o Dest is the presumed starter at right back despite his multiple absences from US camps<\/span> Photograph: Drew Hallowell\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

1) Alex Freeman \u2013 15 caps, 1,084 minutes<\/strong><\/p>\n

2) Joe Scally \u2013 <\/strong>nine caps, 605 minutes<\/strong><\/p>\n

3. Sergi\u00f1o Dest \u2013 <\/strong>four caps, 211 minutes<\/strong><\/p>\n

Others<\/em>: Nathan Harriel (<\/em>three caps, 123 minutes), Shaq Moore (two caps, 121 minutes)<\/em><\/p>\n

Freeman\u2019s career has followed a blistering trajectory since January 2025, forcing his way into Orlando City\u2019s rotation, which landed him a starting role at the Gold Cup, continued involvement thereafter, and a move to Villarreal. It has continued, with Freeman earning his first two La Liga starts after the March window. Freeman didn\u2019t suffer positioning gaffes nearly as often as Scally had at the Copa Am\u00e9rica and 2025 Concacaf Nations League, a vital revelation for Pochettino .<\/p>\n

Freeman can also tuck in and play as a right center-back in a back three, allowing Pochettino cover in (mild spoiler) his weakest area.<\/p>\n

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