The U.S. males’s nationwide group’s 2025 was full of loads of highs and likewise just a few lows as properly.
Mauricio Pochettino gave 66 gamers the chance to characteristic for the USMNT this 12 months, watching as many took their probabilities with each palms. From reaching the CONCACAF Gold Cup Last to ending the 12 months on a five-match unbeaten run, there may be lots to be enthusiastic about for 2026.
Diego Luna, Alex Freeman, and Max Arfsten had been among the many gamers who shined of their USMNT and membership alternatives this 12 months, ending it on main excessive notes.
Listed below are 5 USMNT gamers that SBI are grateful for in 2025:
Max Arfsten
Antonee Robinson’s prolonged absence from the USMNT precipitated loads of fear amongst followers and coaches alike. Enter Max Arfsten.
Arfsten boosted his inventory with the USMNT in 2025, a 12 months which noticed him earn his debut and by no means look again. The 24-year-old fullback/wingback logged 1,086 minutes in 16 worldwide appearances this 12 months, scoring one purpose and a team-high 5 assists.
Though he had some tough moments at occasions, Arfsten ended the 12 months very comfortably, with sturdy showings towards Ecuador, Japan, and Paraguay.
Robinson stays on the sidelines at Fulham, which provides extra fear heading into the brand new 12 months. Nonetheless, Arfsten’s productive 2025 ought to have Mauricio Pochettino, his workers, and the USMNT teammates assured of his skills going ahead.
Diego Luna
The USMNT’s high look chief in 2025 was rising attacker Diego Luna.
Luna made 17 appearances for this system this 12 months, scoring 4 targets and contributing 4 assists (team-high eight purpose contributions). The Actual Salt Lake midfielder/winger was one of many high performers on the Gold Cup, ending the event with three targets and two assists.
He ended the 12 months on a constructive notice with a goalscoring efficiency towards Uruguay, ending a six-match streak and not using a purpose or help.
Luna will certainly be within the combine for a midfield sport on the World Cup, particularly if he is ready to begin 2026 off on a flying notice for RSL.
Alex Freeman
One other MLS product that has continued his rise over the previous 12 months was proper again Alex Freeman.
Freeman logged 976 minutes in 13 appearances for the USMNT, scoring twice in his 2025 finale towards Uruguay. The Orlando Metropolis homegrown confirmed constructive moments, beginning all six matches on the Gold Cup.
Freeman got here up via Orlando Metropolis’s youth ranks and shortly has develop into one of many high fullbacks in MLS. At 21-years-old, the long run stays very vibrant for Freeman, who will probably be competing with Sergino Dest and Joe Scally for minutes on the March camp.
Matt Freese
The USMNT seems to be to have its new No. 1 goalkeeper.
Matt Freese debuted for this system in June and hasn’t relinquished the beginning position since. Freese, a former Philadelphia Union homegrown, made 13 appearances for the USMNT, registering three clear sheets.
The 27-year-old got here up with a number of huge saves through the second half of the 12 months, together with a trio of penalty stops towards Costa Rica within the Gold Cup quarterfinals.
Freese might nonetheless add an MLS Cup title to his rising resume by 12 months’s finish, a bonus for what has been a stellar 12 months for him.
Sebastian Berhalter
24-year-old Sebastian Berhalter has shortly develop into the USMNT’s set-piece artist.
Berhalter scored one purpose and added three assists in 9 USMNT caps this 12 months, taking one other key step ahead in his growth. The son of former USMNT participant and head coach Gregg, Sebastian logged 704 minutes on the worldwide degree, saving his finest efficiency for final towards Uruguay earlier this month.
His free kick and nook kick skills have been a deal with to look at, whereas his sturdy work charge in midfield have additionally made him an possibility for Pochettino to think about in 2026.
Like Freese, Berhalter might additionally finish the 12 months as an MLS Cup winner, which might be a deserved ending after a stellar 12 months for membership and county.
Who had been you grateful for in 2025? Which gamers do you suppose locked down their spots for the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
Share your ideas under and we hope you may have a Pleased Thanksgiving!