The U.S. males’s nationwide staff will need to get again on observe this summer season and profitable the CONCACAF Gold Cup could be one of the simplest ways to take action.
Mauricio Pochettino’s squad are again in motion this June for a pair of house friendlies in opposition to Turkey and Switzerland earlier than kicking off play in the summertime event. After a poor exhibiting within the Nations League Closing 4 final March, the USMNT will need to benefit from their remaining aggressive motion earlier than the 2026 FIFA World Cup on house soil.
Pochettino could have loads of key roster choices to make forward of the group stage, particularly with Weston McKennie, Tim Weah, and Gio Reyna all unavailable attributable to their Membership World Cup involvement.
A number of gamers will likely be desirous to power their means into Pochettino’s summer season plans together with Alex Zendejas, Damion Downs, and Diego Kochen.
Here’s a nearer take a look at SBI’s picks for Pochettino’s 26-player Gold Cup roster:
Goalkeepers
Matt Turner, Zack Steffen, Patrick Schulte.
Missed the Lower: Chris Brady, Matt Freese, Diego Kochen.
The USMNT’s No. 1 goalkeeper job stays up for grabs heading into the Gold Cup.
Matt Turner is the most definitely candidate attributable to his previous involvement in between the sticks, however an absence of constant enjoying time might harm his possibilities of remaining the No. 1.
Zack Steffen and Patrick Schulte can even combat for alternatives and will get the nod over Turner attributable to their respective membership roles in MLS. Steffen has compelled his means again into the image since returning to MLS and likewise brings veteran expertise to the combo.
Schulte is a younger choice, but additionally has performed ample minutes in 2025, one thing that Turner hasn’t.
Defenders
Chris Richards, Auston Trusty, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Mark McKenzie, Sergino Dest, Joe Scally, Antonee Robinson, Caleb Wiley.
Missed the Lower: Tristian Blackmon, George Campbell, Marlon Fossey, Alex Freeman, Nathan Harriel, DeJuan Jones, Kristoffer Lund, Shaq Moore, Tim Ream, Miles Robinson, John Tolkin, Walker Zimmerman.
The USMNT’s defensive corps is flying excessive heading into the worldwide window.
Chris Richards needs to be Pochettino’s No. 1 heart again choice heading into the Gold Cup, particularly given his second half of the season for Crystal Palace. Richards helped the Eagles raise the FA Cup and general has rode a powerful run of particular person type over the previous 4 months.
Cameron Carter-Vickers and Auston Trusty each delivered robust seasons with Scottish Premiership winners Celtic, with Carter-Vickers holding the sting in general appearances. Each defenders stay essential to the USMNT’s defensive arrange and needs to be thought of as a beginning choice alongside Richards.
Mark McKenzie loved a constructive first marketing campaign in Ligue 1 with Toulouse, serving to the membership end tenth within the desk. McKenzie has been in-and-out of the USMNT XI over the previous two years, however stays a youthful choice for Pochettino to contemplate.
Antonee Robinson stays the USMNT’s No. 1 left again after delivering his finest season but in Fulham colours. Nonetheless, Pochettino could have a key determination to make in regard to his No. 2 left again choice.
John Tolkin and Caleb Wiley are each rising skills, however I’d count on Wiley to get the nod over Tolkin attributable to his added versatility on the wing.
At proper again, Sergino Dest needs to be again within the squad after preventing to play a key position in PSV’s repeat as Eredivisie winners. Will Dest be the USMNT’s starter when the Gold Cup begins? We are going to see, however count on him and Joe Scally to combat for that spot.
Though Tim Ream remains to be enjoying at a excessive stage with Charlotte FC, I’d count on Pochettino to go together with his youthful heart again choices. The identical goes with Miles Robinson and Walker Zimmerman.
Midfielders
Yunus Musah, Brenden Aaronson, Aidan Morris, Tyler Adams, Johnny Cardoso, Tanner Tessmann, Diego Luna.
Missed the Lower: Paxten Aaronson, Max Arfsten, Sebastian Berhalter, Gianluca Busio, Caden Clark, Luca De La Torre, Maximilian Dietz, Eneka Eneli, Richie Ledezma, Jack McGlynn, Djordje Mihailovic, Matko Miljevic, Timothy Tillman, Sean Zawadzki.
Weston McKennie’s absence from the USMNT squad will likely be a giant one, however there nonetheless stays ample expertise within the group.
A wholesome Tyler Adams will likely be key for the Individuals, who can construct round Adams within the coronary heart of their formation. Adams loved a stellar marketing campaign with Bournemouth, staying wholesome for majority of the marketing campaign.
Johnny Cardoso and Yunus Musah can even combat for minutes after their busy campaigns in Spain and Italy respectively. Cardoso might use the Gold Cup as a springboard right into a membership transfer after beforehand garnering curiosity from Atletico Madrid and Tottenham.
Tanner Tessmann shortly adjusted to life in France, enjoying a big position in Lyon’s squad. Tessmann featured in a number of competitions, serving to the French membership qualify for subsequent season’s UEFA Champions League.
Brenden Aaronson helped Leeds United earn Premier League promotion this spring and general his work fee ought to earn him a spot on this roster.
Becoming a member of Aaronson within the combat for minutes needs to be Diego Luna, who impressed underneath Pochettino in the course of the March window. Luna brings related attributes to the desk as Aaronson, however might need the leg up in terms of final-third distribution and ending.
Aidan Morris was sturdy for Middlesbrough in the course of the EFL Championship season and I believe did greater than sufficient to get again into the USMNT image. His aggressiveness and robust engine is one thing the USMNT positively wants this summer season and I count on Morris to combat for his alternative.
Gianluca Busio, Paxten Aaronson, and Jack McGlynn are all on the cusp for me, however general I see them simply lacking out.
Forwards
Christian Pulisic, Haji Wright, Damion Downs, Josh Sargent, Malik Tillman, Griffin Yow, Folarin Balogun, Alex Zendejas.
Missed the Lower: Patrick Agyemang, Brian Gutierrez, Brian White, Brandon Vazquez.
Choosing the offensive gamers could be the hardest determination for Pochettino this summer season.
Christian Pulisic is a shoe-in to make the roster, bearing something occurs to him in AC Milan’s remaining match of the season. Pulisic was one of many higher performers within the Rossoneri squad, registering double-digit targets and assists in all competitions.
Malik Tillman was one of many key attacking gamers within the Eredivisie this season and now the 22-year-old will intention to translate that success over to the worldwide stage. Tillman has but to really make an influence with the USMNT, however right here’s hoping he can this time round. Anticipate to see him out broad, and even as an additional midfielder at occasions.
Josh Sargent and Haji Wright each registering double-digit goalscoring seasons in England’s second-tier and sure could have their possibilities as soon as once more. Sargent primarily featured as a No. 9 for Norwich Metropolis whereas Wright featured as a striker and winger for Coventry Metropolis.
Folarin Balogun is one other striker preventing to get again into the combo after lacking time with Monaco by way of harm. Balogun returned to motion this month and scored, however ended up again on the sidelines afterwards.
With Ricardo Pepi out of motion, I count on Balogun to combat with Sargent and Wright for No. 9 alternatives.
Griffin Yow is a deserving call-up, particularly given his run of type for Belgian facet Westerlo. Yow has tallied eight targets this season and general seems to be prepared for the soar to the worldwide stage.
Tim Weah’s absence opens the door to extra winger assist and that’s the place Alex Zendejas might assist. Zendejas has been one in all Membership America’s finest gamers this season, serving to them to at least one league title and shifting nearer to a second.
Much like Tillman, Zendejas has discovered it powerful to ship with the USMNT, however proper now it’s laborious to rule him out.
One new face to the fold will likely be Damion Downs. Downs, a dual-national ahead, helped Cologne acquire promotion again to the German Bundesliga for subsequent season.
Downs scored 10 targets within the 2. Bundesliga this previous season and general has featured thrice for the USMNT U-23’s. Getting the 20-year-old ahead included this summer season could possibly be a serious constructive heading into 2026.
What do you consider our projected roster? Who made the reduce that you’re hoping is included? Who did we miss that you simply assume deserves to be a part of the June squad?
Share your ideas beneath.