I was going to say, I don’t know what the lineup will actually look like next summer, but I’m quite confident that this isn’t it.
USMNT Thread
- Thread starter Tom McAndrew
- Start date
Busy sports news day for me. In my spare time, it's been a constant back-and-forth between PSU and the USMNT.
Group D: USA, Australia, Paraguay, and one of Turkey/Romania/Slovakia/Kosovo
I have to be honest and say that this was a very favorable draw for the US compared to what it could have been. We avoided quite a number of problems in the three other pots. It does not mean, however, that this is an easy group. There are no easy groups for the US at a men's World Cup ever. We will need to work hard and play well to qualify out of the group. It is really interesting how we just played two of our opponents within the past couple of months, and perhaps all three within the past half year if Turkey is the team to qualify and join our group. If the US can play to their capability, then winning the group is on the table. But they will need to work very hard.
Group D: USA, Australia, Paraguay, and one of Turkey/Romania/Slovakia/Kosovo
I have to be honest and say that this was a very favorable draw for the US compared to what it could have been. We avoided quite a number of problems in the three other pots. It does not mean, however, that this is an easy group. There are no easy groups for the US at a men's World Cup ever. We will need to work hard and play well to qualify out of the group. It is really interesting how we just played two of our opponents within the past couple of months, and perhaps all three within the past half year if Turkey is the team to qualify and join our group. If the US can play to their capability, then winning the group is on the table. But they will need to work very hard.
Yeah, I meant to start a thread on the WC draws, but there was just too much going on today.
The USA did get a good draw, compared to some of their past experiences. And as you indicated, there are no easy groups for the US at a men's WC.
If Turkey qualifies, they would probably be the favorite in the group, though you could make a case for the USA beating them. If Turkey is not the qualifier from the four in contention, then the USA is probably the favorite (with all the caveats).
The USMNT has been all over the place since the last WC. And even the past year+ has been a roller coaster. They should advance out of the group stage, though that's never a given. Beyond that, they could go on a long run, or be road kill, or anywhere in between. Hopefully, their key players will be healthy, and all of their players will leave the drama behind them, and play to their potential.
Reports are that it's not as bad as initially feared:
Crystal Palace reveal Richards injury latest after defender stretchered off
Palace are likely to be without the defender against Tottenham this weekend
www.standard.co.uk
'It doesn’t look so bad' - Crystal Palace boss Olivier Glasner eases concern over USMNT defender Chris Richards after being stretchered off vs. Arsenal | Goal.com
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner sought to ease concerns over Chris Richards after the U.S. international was stretchered off in Tuesday’s Carabao Cup quarterfinal loss to Arsenal, saying the ankle injury “doesn’t look so bad” and expressing optimism the defender could return in the new...
www.goal.com
Hopefully it's just a case of Julian Green 2.0 where he wants a guarantee of a spot on the World Cup team to stick with the US. However, he will be a much better player than Green, and I really hope we can lock him up.
www.espn.com
USMNT starlet Noahkai Banks still weighing Germany switch
U.S. youth national team starlet Noahkai Banks, a potential pick for this summer's senior World Cup squad, has said he is still considering whether his international future lies with the U.S. or Germany.
www.espn.com
Hopefully it's just a case of Julian Green 2.0 where he wants a guarantee of a spot on the World Cup team to stick with the US. However, he will be a much better player than Green, and I really hope we can lock him up.
USMNT starlet Noahkai Banks still weighing Germany switch
U.S. youth national team starlet Noahkai Banks, a potential pick for this summer's senior World Cup squad, has said he is still considering whether his international future lies with the U.S. or Germany.
Umm, ESPN might want to rethink using the term starlet with Banks.
For whatever reason, it seems that many use it with young, male athletes...
Barcelona starlet wins dressing room admiration after Villarreal hat-trick: ‘Lucky to have him playing for our team’
The 4-1 victory over Villarreal was indeed important for Barcelona, but the night truly belonged to Lamine Yamal. The teenager delivered a brilliant hat trick at the Spotify Camp Nou, once again show...
sports.yahoo.com
USMNT 2-5 Belgium: USA humbled by clinical Red Devils
Mauricio Pochettino has plenty of thinking to do as the USMNT took the lead but then Belgium turned on the style.
www.nbcsports.com
USMNT brushed aside by Belgium in blow to World Cup prep
The USMNT suffered a setback in its preparations for the World Cup as Belgium ran rampant in the second half to emerge emphatic 5-2 winners at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday.
www.espn.com
USMNT 2-5 Belgium: Red Devils romp over World Cup hosts – As it happened
The US scored first but then surrendered five in a stunning 5-2 loss at home to Belgium.
www.theguardian.com
USMNT vs. Belgium player ratings: Pochettino left with many questions after blowout loss
The U.S. men's national team fell 5-2 to Belgium in an international friendly at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
www.usatoday.com
Three Key Takeaways From USMNT’s Disastrous Defeat to Belgium
The tides quickly turned for the Stars and Stripes at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
www.si.com
Player ratings: Weah poor as USMNT suffers heavy Belgium defeat
It was a difficult game for the U.S. against a well-organized Belgium side, with Tim Weah in particular struggling to make a positive impact.
www.espn.com
We played pretty well the first half...thought the 1-1 scoreline was the right result (Wes has two really good chances and converted one of them...Belgium had some good chances and converted on a really nice strike from distance that we possibly should have done better on). But the second half was a clinic for Belgium. I worry that Ream has lost a half step that he couldn't afford to lose, and that Weah really gets exposed when he's playing in the back and has to defend. Missing Richards and Adams didn't help, but we were a step slow and Belgium had their way.
Soccer is a funny sport. If Pulisic finishes that chance he did well in creating for himself when it was 1-1, the game likely finishes very differently given how right after that Belgium scored to go up 2-1. Aside from getting players fit (Adams, Richards, Dest), this team needs: 1) Pulisic in scoring form, and 2) to find a way to get service to Balogun. Otherwise, we can kiss goodbye to any chances of progressing to a respectable round of the World Cup.
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Play Diego Luna. Turn the effort into a street fight and get away from the country club mentality installed by Berhalter and still practiced by these guys. Pulisic showed a flash or two early and Robinson looked great. Other than that, just weak all around.
Pooch needs to bench most of these guys Tuesday.
Pooch needs to bench most of these guys Tuesday.
The more that our players now play in Europe, the more uncompetitive we’ve become against European teams. This team has some quality players who play for teams like Juventus and AC Milan, but they’re just not a good team.
USA 0-2 Portugal (Mar 31, 2026) Game Analysis - ESPN
Expert recap and game analysis of the United States vs. Portugal International Friendly game from March 31, 2026 on ESPN.
www.espn.com
USMNT vs. Portugal player ratings: U.S. shut out before World Cup roster announcement
The U.S. men's national team were shut out 2-0 by Portugal in an international friendly at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.
www.usatoday.com
Player ratings: Pulisic 3/10 in USMNT's loss to Portugal
Christian Pulisic struggled to make the most of numerous chances as the U.S. stumbled to another loss with the World Cup just around the corner.
www.espn.com
Three Key Takeaways From the USMNT’s Disappointing Fall to Portugal
The Stars and Stripes are left with many questions following the March international window.
www.si.com
I've said it before and was mocked but I think our players would be better served staying home and playing in MLS. The Europeans don't respect us and our players are treated as 2nd class players.
It would be better if our boys played on teams that respected and developed them.
I'm not sure how playing against less talent is a way to improve. Iron sharpens iron and it shows when the dinosaurs retire in Europe come to the MLS and dominate. The US has media that builds them up as things are better in terms of players landing on big clubs, but the US is still behind youth development and the cost to play the cheapest sport is through the roof in this country. It's not the players in Europe that is the issue, the system is broke well before that. Both teams they faced have more talent and both could be in the semi's at this World Cup and it wouldn't be a shock.
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From the Athletics Pulse:
| USMNT’s ill-timed nadir |
| The U.S. men’s national team fell 2-0 to Portugal last night, a tough look for the sputtering squad in the last international window before its World Cup roster is due. This loss came after Saturday’s 5-2 blowout against Belgium, and led manager Mauricio Pochettino to say afterward his roster decision for the Cup will be “painful,” and the U.S. lacks any world top-100 players. Yikes. Hope he has Luna on the squad, he can score in a brawl. |
I think Luna will make the roster just based on his resume since Poch arrived. He's not wrong about having top 100 players either. You look at the Belgium and Portugal rosters and you see a whos who of European giants. The most talented US roster isn't as good as the average European or South American rosters. Can they punch their way out of a group....sure, but beyond that there isn't any hope of them moving on.
I'd almost bet everything that I have that Belgium will not be in the semis; Portugal could be but even that would be a mild upset.
You mention the US Youth System. This Youth System probably is better organized and producing more good players than at any time in the history of US soccer. You also mention the cost. Well, that's the way that it is in youth baseball, hockey and lacrosse now, as well as individual sports like tennis and swimming. It's even becoming like that in youth football now.
Like I said, it just seems that a decade ago and longer with players like Tim Howard, Landon Donovan, Brad Friedel, etc., the US was playing much better against European teams than they are now when almost every player who will be on the USMNT plays somewhere in Europe. I think that a big problem now is because our players are scattered all over Europe, this team has no cohesion because they just don't play together enough either for their club team or country. This team just based on the talent should be much better against teams like Belgium and Portugal than what they showed.
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I agree with you. The MLS has come a long way since its inception, and maybe if our best players decided to play in that league rather than running to Europe because they think that they have to, not only would that league even be better, but there might be more cohesion with the USMNT.
I just don't know why an American rather would play for some anonymous Dutch or Scottish team, or even some mid-level English Championship side, when they could be playing in their own country in modern, beautiful soccer stadia in major American cities.
The youth system is broke as it way too expensive. It excludes and out prices the talent pool. Is it better than it was with academies, absolutely, but is still broken. A "decent" academy or travel team costs parents $10k a year and that is being conservative with the costs. The best teams you talk about had a lower bar and did exactly what I stated...got out of knockout stages. Progress is being made with development for the youth, but if you develop only players who can afford the sport, you miss out on a ton of athletes.
I'm not sure how playing down to talent somehow improves players. I don't think any National team coach would rather have his players in the MLS if they are good enough for any of the big leagues in Europe, that doesn't even sound plausible. Just from a $$$ level for the players it's not feasible. The contracts some have over there aren't being matched in the MLS. Hell people hated on GB because they felt he played favorites with the MLS guys....which will still happen in some windows outside of WC qualifying no matter the coach. Hell Arsenal had 10 players opt out of this friendly window if there wasn't anything on the line because they are in the middle of a title run. The MLS is a MAC level league if you want to compare it to NCAA football.
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The two games this week didn't do much to chang my opinion of anything. We still have a dropoff when we don't have Adams, Dest, and Richards (in the first game) on the field. If they aren't healthy come June, things get tougher. If they are, I still like our best 11. I'm a huge Luna guy (have been from day 1) and think we really were missing his grit out there this window. I'm officially becoming concerned with Pulisic's cold streak for both club and country, but he has two more months to find his scoring touch again.
As for the MLS vs Europe debate, I think it's looking at things way to broadly to proclaim "guys should stay in MLS", or "everyone should go to Europe". It's a case by case basis. It's worked out great for some, but then we do have too many guys jumping to clubs that are too big for them and getting stuck without minutes or in bad loans. Think that's especially true at GK...Turner, Horvath, Slonina put us in this spot where none of my top options were seeing minutes the last few years.
I've said it before, but we've also got a generation of guys that peaked early and got everyone excited, but mostly leveled off. Several of them in a huge way. Julian Green scored in a World Cup at 18, Konrad was seeing some minutes at Barcelona as a teenager, Musah was on a trajectory to become a star, Geo was on that same trajectory, Sargeant was tearing up the u20 world cup as a 17 year old, etc.
As for the MLS vs Europe debate, I think it's looking at things way to broadly to proclaim "guys should stay in MLS", or "everyone should go to Europe". It's a case by case basis. It's worked out great for some, but then we do have too many guys jumping to clubs that are too big for them and getting stuck without minutes or in bad loans. Think that's especially true at GK...Turner, Horvath, Slonina put us in this spot where none of my top options were seeing minutes the last few years.
I've said it before, but we've also got a generation of guys that peaked early and got everyone excited, but mostly leveled off. Several of them in a huge way. Julian Green scored in a World Cup at 18, Konrad was seeing some minutes at Barcelona as a teenager, Musah was on a trajectory to become a star, Geo was on that same trajectory, Sargeant was tearing up the u20 world cup as a 17 year old, etc.
Thoughts from someone who doesn't know much soccer but watches quite a bit: Richards, Freeman, and Agyemang played well. I thought Freese played slightly better than Turner. Arfsten played as hard as anyone out there. Aaronson didn't get much of a shot. I didn't think Tillman played particularly well (but the announcers thought he did). Pulisic, Reyna, Pepi, and Cardoso were underwhelming.
Goalkeeper used to be a US strength at the international level, but it no longer is.
Yep. Marcus Hahnemann started 115 games in the Premier League, but since we had better options ahead of him, was only capped 9 times in his career. He'd be far and away our #1 today.
Tillman has had a good year for the most part and you can never judge anyone based on one performance. You also tend to have worse performances when the teams you play clearly have a different level in terms of talent. Not very many on the US roster sniff starting spots or even bench spots for Portugal.
USMNT 2026 World Cup big board 6.0: Have March losses cemented Pochettino's squad?
The March international window was the last time for players to impress U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino, so who cemented their place on his team?
www.espn.com
Jonathan Tannenwald is one of the top soccer journalists in the USA. Here's his take on the USA WC roster, and what are Pochettino's toughest decisions to make.
share.inquirer.com
The USMNT’s World Cup auditions are over. Now it’s time to project the tournament roster.
Auston Trusty, Brenden Aaronson, Gio Reyna, and Ricardo Pepi are among the players whose stocks moved up or down in the last games before Mauricio Pochettino picks his 26 players for the big stage.
share.inquirer.com