NFL
By: Joe Cardoso
Earlier this month, USMNT manager Mauricio Pochettino named the roster for the training camp ahead of friendlies against Turkey and Switzerland in June. We are racing towards the 2026 World Cup, which, in case you live under a rock, the good old USA is hosting. Besides these matches, the Gold Cup is another opportunity for the squad to play together and start to gel ahead of the cup.
“As we continue preparations for the World Cup, this is a fantastic opportunity to work with this group of players for an extended period and it’s important we take advantage of every moment we have together,” Pochettino said.
Now, the first thing that struck me, and all US soccer fans, was all the names not listed. Mainly, captain Christian Pulisic, whose camp had spoken with the Federation about him skipping this summer’s matches after a long season in Europe and International duty. The request left a bad taste in some fans’ USMNT mouths when this news broke, and then he suited up for A.C. Milan and played, but as Keith Richards said to me, Milan signs his checks. Three other key players are focused on club duty with the FIFA World Club Cup taking place this summer. That means Weston McKennie, Tim Weah, and Gio Reyna are all out. All hell broke loose across social media with Pulisic pulling out, and I was right there with the rest, banging away on my cell phone and keyboard, screaming bloody murder. How could our guy not want to be on the field for the Gold Cup? Couldn’t a deal have been made? Miss the friendlies and only play in the cup? What were the USMNT higher-ups thinking?
Pochettino defended the choice.
“Sometimes we give too much importance knowing to be together and sometimes the group maybe sometimes doesn’t work in this way or build in this way … I think it is important to create this challenge. I really believe that to build a team is about staying together, to have time to work, yes, but I think we cannot underestimate the player.”
Former players like Landon Donovan and Tim Howard were not happy about the moves by players to sit out. They questioned leadership and the players for not wanting to don the national team jersey and hit the field. I enjoy their podcast, and this episode is a good listen.
GOALKEEPERS (4)
- Chris Brady – Chicago Fire FC
- Matt Freese – New York City FC
- Zack Steffen – Colorado Rapids
- Matt Turner – Crystal Palace
DEFENDERS (8)
- Max Arfsten – Columbus Crew
- Sergiño Dest – PSV Eindhoven
- Alex Freeman – Orlando City
- DeJuan Jones – San Jose Earthquakes
- Mark McKenzie – Toulouse
- Tim Ream – Charlotte FC
- Chris Richards – Crystal Palace
- Miles Robinson – FC Cincinnati
MIDFIELDERS (10)
- Brenden Aaronson – Leeds United
- Tyler Adams – Bournemouth
- Sebastian Berhalter – Vancouver Whitecaps FC
- Johnny Cardoso – Real Betis
- Luca de la Torre – San Diego FC
- Diego Luna – Real Salt Lake
- Jack McGlynn – Houston Dynamo FC
- Quinn Sullivan – Philadelphia Union
- Malik Tillman – PSV Eindhoven
- Sean Zawadzki – Columbus Crew
FORWARDS (5)
- Patrick Agyemang – Charlotte FC
- Folarin Balogun – Monaco
- Damion Downs – FC Köln
- Brian White – Vancouver Whitecaps FC
- Haji Wright – Coventry City
But, then I thought over it for a few days what if he came into camp pissed off at Pochettino and his play reflected that? Or even worse God forbid, he gets hurt and now the blame is on top of our new manager ahead of his first two major competitions as manager. Not having our best on the field sucks for sure, doesn’t it matter more to make sure when we hit the field for the 2026 World Cup guys are healthy and ready to do some damage? Seeing names like Josh Sargent, Joe Scally, and Tanner Yessmann not on the team due to “football reasons” makes me wonder a bit and I would love to have more context from the manager.
The Gold Cup is a final tune-up ahead of the big dance. How will team unity be? We all remember the CONCACAF Nations League performances. I still have nightmares. Now will the young players will have a chance to throw their name in the hat and also can provide depth for the World Cup, which is a brutal tournament, and anything can happen. How many teams have lost due to an injury and couldn’t recover? In the past, we have seen a lack of chemistry hurt our teams. Will this be different? I am glad to see Sergino Dest and Folarin Balogun back on the pitch, two players who need the reps and will be a big part of the future.
All eyes are on the USMNT manager and team to show that they have depth and quality to compete at a high level. A good showing will go a long way to build excitement for the fans and bring new ones into the fold. I have walked myself back from the ledge and want to see what this team and Pochettino can do with the opportunity ahead of them.
