With the Gold Cup and summer competition complete, GOAL projects the USMNT roster for September friendlies
The summer is just about over and, and that means another U.S. men's national team camp is on the way – the first of three to close 2025 as the team takes part in a series of vital friendlies.
Up first are two September matches, with the USMNT taking on South Korea and Japan to begin this fall slate. The squad for those matches is set to be announced this week, as Mauricio Pochettino looks to build off this summer's Gold Cup by reintroducing a series of players that weren't involved at the tournament, for one reason or another.
What will that squad look like? How much will Pochettino lean on Gold Cup veterans compared to more familiar counterparts? Which newcomers are in line for a look? GOAL takes a look.
Getty Images SportGOALKEEPERS
GOAL's picks: Matt Freese, Zack Steffen, Matt Turner
The interesting part isn't so much who's in the squad, but rather who is going to actually start. Freese was the guy all summer long, and he did plenty to justify that decision, starting six matches during the Gold Cup. At the very least, he's made himself a legitimate contender for that No. 1 shirt, showing both the ability to create highs and also bounce back from the few lows he did experience this summer.
He's a lock for the roster, but will Pochettino give him starting minutes again? Maybe not, because Turner is back playing again. It's early, of course, but Turner has looked like his old self since making his move back to the New England Revolution. The confidence is seemingly there. So, too, are the big saves.
After being a good soldier all summer while serving as Freese's backup, Turner has made his own case to seize that starting job. That was what his summer transfer was all about – giving him the minutes to compete.
It'll be interesting, then, to see which way Pochettino lean – insight into his thinking on the road to next summer.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesDEFENDERS
GOAL's picks: Max Arfsten, Tristan Blackmon, Sergino Dest, Alex Freeman, Mark McKenzie, Tim Ream, Chris Richards, Joe Scally
Well, we seemingly already know one name here after Vancouver's Thomas Muller spilled the beans. Blackmon seems set for his first USMNT call-up, which is interesting given his dual-national status. He'll join a centerback pool that remains in flux outside of Richards, who is a locked in starter.
Out wide, Dest is ready for a return. Robinson, despite his substitute appearance at the weekend for Fulham, probably isn't, as he continues to recover from injury. It's unfortunate, given his importance, but with his health still a major question mark, it would be wise for the USMNT to leave Robinson in England so he can continue to build his way back to 100 percent ahead of the October games.
Robinson's absence opens up a spot, leaving Arfsten as the likely starter and Scally as an option on either side if needed. If not them, Tolkin could certainly be called in after a goalscoring start to life in the 2. Bundesliga.
Getty ImagesMIDFIELDERS
GOAL's picks: Tyler Adams, Sebastian Berhalter, Johnny Cardoso, Diego Luna, Weston McKennie, Yunus Musah, Tanner Tessmann, Malik Tillman
A mix of European regulars and Gold Cup standouts here, with names such as McKennie, Musah and Tessmann set to return. The big storyline with this group will be tactics: does Pochettino go for a 4-3-3 or a 4-2-3-1 with two holding midfielders?
Going with the latter would help get Tillman or Luna on the field, although the former's status may be in doubt. He's missed time to start the season due to a knock, which could result in Pochettino letting him recover in Germany through this window. It would be unfortunate, particularly given Tillman's performances this summer, which earned him a chance with this more experienced group.
It'll be interesting, as well, to see which Gold Cup holdovers can get into this squad, with Berhalter and McGlynn, in particular, looking to be two players who are on the fringes of that A-Team.
ImagnFORWARDS
GOAL's picks: Folarin Balogun, Damion Downs, Christian Pulisic, Josh Sargent, Tim Weah, Haji Wright
There are some question marks at striker, particularly with Pepi, who only played a handful of minutes this past weekend for PSV as he continues his recovery from a knee injury. He, then, is another one who should probably be left with his club with an eye towards the long-term.
That's OK, particularly if Balogun is ready to go. We've yet to see the Monaco man under Pochettino, and it's long past time to see what he can do under the not-so-new coach. At his best, Balogun is a much different option than the other strikers in the pool, one that offers a vertical threat on the counter or in possession – and it would be nice to see that at some point in this Pochettino era.
Sargent and Wright, both on fire in the Championship, should be locks. Pulisic's return, meanwhile, is a key story to watch, and likely the one that will dominate headlines early on in this camp. He and Pochettino will have to make sure they get on the same page as quickly as possible so that this summer's controversy can finally be put to bed.
