The vibe around the american national soccer team roster is just different now. Honestly, if you haven’t been paying attention since Mauricio Pochettino took the wheels, you’re looking at a completely different beast than the one that sputtered through the last few years. It’s no longer just about "potential" or "the golden generation." It’s about who can actually survive a Pochettino training session without collapsing.
We are officially in the "find out" phase of the 2026 World Cup cycle.
The January 2026 camp is the latest proof that the old hierarchy is dead. For a long time, it felt like certain guys had their names written in permanent marker on the team sheet. Not anymore. Pochettino has been ruthless, dropping veterans who lack the intensity he demands and elevating MLS breakouts like Alex Freeman and Max Arfsten into legitimate roles.
The New Hierarchy: Who is Actually Safe?
When people talk about the american national soccer team roster, they usually start with Christian Pulisic. That’s fair. He’s the talisman. He’s at AC Milan, he’s scoring goals, and he’s the undisputed leader. But behind him? The "locks" aren't who they used to be.
Matt Freese has basically snatched the starting goalkeeper spot from Matt Turner. It's a wild story, really. Turner was the hero for so long, but lack of minutes in England opened a door, and Freese—performing out of his mind for NYCFC—walked right through it. Pochettino loves a keeper who can play with his feet, and Freese has that edge right now.
Then you’ve got the midfield. Tyler Adams is still the heartbeat, but his fitness is always the giant elephant in the room. When he's healthy, he's the first name on the list. When he’s not, it's total chaos. That’s why seeing Tanner Tessmann thrive at Lyon has been such a godsend for the depth of this squad.
The Defensive Shift
The backline used to be "Tim Ream and whoever else is fit."
Ream is 38 now. He’s still there, somehow, leading the team with 79 caps as of this month, but the torch is being forced into the hands of Chris Richards. Richards is the guy now. He’s starting for Crystal Palace, he’s vocal, and he’s the anchor.
We’ve also seen a massive surge from Alex Freeman at right-back. He was a revelation in the matches against Uruguay and Paraguay late last year. Most experts thought Joe Scally would have that spot locked down with Sergiño Dest recovering from his long-term injury issues, but Freeman’s attacking output has made him almost impossible to bench.
Breaking Down the Current Squad Depth
If we look at the guys currently in camp or at the top of the pecking order, it’s a mix of European stars and MLS lifers who have finally figured out how to play "Poch-ball."
Goalkeepers
- Matt Freese (The current #1)
- Matt Turner (The veteran presence)
- Patrick Schulte (The future)
Defenders
The center-back pairing is usually Chris Richards and Miles Robinson or Mark McKenzie. Robinson has stayed in MLS with FC Cincinnati, but Pochettino clearly values his recovery speed. Auston Trusty has also seen his stock rise since moving to Celtic.
On the wings, Antonee "Jedi" Robinson is the only person on the planet who seems to have zero competition at left-back. He plays every minute of every game. On the right, it’s a dogfight between Alex Freeman, Sergiño Dest, and Joe Scally.
Midfielders
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- Weston McKennie: The engine. He’s been moved around—sometimes wide, sometimes central—but you can’t leave him out.
- Gio Reyna: The most talented player in the pool? Probably. Does he fit the system? That's the $100 million question. He's back in the fold, but he has to work harder than he ever has.
- Malik Tillman: He’s been the quiet MVP of the last year, tearing it up for PSV and now seeing that form translate to the national team.
The Striker Problem (Is Finally Solved?)
For a decade, the USMNT was a team in search of a goalscorer. It was painful.
Now? We have Folarin Balogun.
Balogun has finally found his rhythm at Monaco and is the clear choice to lead the line in 2026. But the real surprise has been Ricardo Pepi. The "Pepi-Plane" is back in a big way. He’s been clinical off the bench, and in some ways, he fits the high-press style of Pochettino even better than Balogun does.
Don't sleep on Haji Wright either. His versatility to play as a wide forward or a traditional #9 gives the american national soccer team roster a tactical flexibility they didn't have under the previous regime.
Why the 2026 World Cup Prep is Different
We aren't playing qualifiers this time around because the U.S. is hosting. That sounds great, but it’s actually a bit of a curse. Friendly matches can be boring. Players can get complacent.
Pochettino’s solution? He treats every training camp like a trial.
He’s been calling in "non-traditional" names like Sebastian Berhalter and Diego Luna. Luna, specifically, has become a fan favorite. He’s not the fastest guy on the pitch, but his vision is different. He sees passes that other players don't even know exist. Pochettino has called him a "special talent," and it’s looking more and more likely that he’ll be a sleeper pick for the final 26-man roster.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Roster
Everyone thinks the European-based players are automatically better.
That’s a myth that is dying a quick death. Pochettino has shown he doesn't care if you play in the Premier League or for the Columbus Crew. If you don't run 12 kilometers a game and track back on defense, you aren't playing. This is why guys like Cristian Roldan are still around. You might not love his ceiling, but his floor is incredibly high, and he does the "dirty work" that allows Pulisic and Reyna to shine.
Another misconception? That the "MMA" midfield (McKennie, Musah, Adams) is the only way to play.
Actually, we've seen a lot more 4-2-3-1 or even a 3-4-3 lately. Yunus Musah has actually struggled to find his place in the current setup because he’s caught between being a winger and a central mid. He’s still young, but he’s one of the players whose spot is surprisingly "warm" right now.
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Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you're trying to track the american national soccer team roster leading up to the summer, here is what you need to actually watch:
- Watch the Goalkeeper Minutes: If Matt Freese starts the next three friendlies, Matt Turner’s era as the #1 is officially over.
- Monitor the Wing-Back Depth: If Sergiño Dest returns from injury and can’t displace Alex Freeman, it tells you everything you need to know about Pochettino’s preference for defensive solidity over flair.
- The "Poch-Fit" Test: Pay attention to who gets subbed out at the 60-minute mark. If a star player is constantly gassing out early, they are at risk of losing their spot to a "workhorse" player from the MLS ranks.
- Check the March Friendlies: The upcoming matches against Belgium and Portugal in Atlanta are the closest thing we have to a "dress rehearsal." Whoever starts those games is likely your 2026 starting XI.
The road to 2026 is moving fast. The roster isn't a country club anymore; it’s a high-performance lab. For the first time in a long time, the talent on the field actually matches the ambition of the fans.
Keep a close eye on the fitness of the core group—Adams, Pulisic, and Richards—because while the depth is better, the ceiling of this team still relies on those three being available when the whistle blows in Los Angeles for the opening match.