The roster for the U.S. men’s national team for the March international window was always going to be examined closely. Manager Mauricio Pochettino will undoubtedly scrutinize the 27 players selected for matches against Belgium and Portugal.
However, beyond the evaluations, Pochettino emphasizes another aspect: adaptability.
While certainly less significant than the World Cup later this year, the upcoming window is still a crucial moment. It represents the final opportunity for the USMNT to convene before the World Cup roster is finalized in May. Adjustments are necessary regarding both personnel and tactics. This window is also perceived as a genuine Last Chance Saloon for certain players as they compete for playing time and roster positions.
Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Pochettino indicated that all hope is not lost for those players omitted from the March roster, regardless of the reasons behind their exclusion.
“It’s not closed because you can see [injuries] … the combination and the dynamic of the group can change depending [on] the selection,” Pochettino stated.
He also noted that there are no strict criteria for player selection as he constructs what will ultimately be a 26-player World Cup roster.
“I think the most important [thing] is what the player can contribute to the team and [if] it can be the right player to help perform with the team,” he explained. “That is why we don’t adhere strictly to the same rules for all players, as each is completely different; different character, different profiles, different quality, different talent. And that is most important to try to find, to identify the right selection, but to be very, very close to performing the way that we performed in the last two camps.”
The most notable beneficiary of this adaptability seems to be Gio Reyna. Given his recent performance, there is little justification for his inclusion in the squad. Reyna has played only 26 minutes across two matches for Borussia Mönchengladbach since the beginning of the year, with no appearances in the last two months. Yet he remains on the team’s list of midfielders.
Is he skilled? Certainly, and most crucially, he performed well during the November international window, scoring against Paraguay and providing an assist off the bench against Uruguay. His case was likely bolstered by the recent return of Club América forward Alejandro Zendejas and Real Salt Lake midfielder Diego Luna from injuries. Nevertheless, Pochettino has consistently emphasized the importance of club form. Now, he seems to be making an exception.
“That is a very talented player,” Pochettino remarked about Reyna. “And we know how he can contribute to the national team … And he is capable of performing with us. Again, I think we really recognize that he’s a very special talent and a very special player. And I think providing the opportunity, even if he’s not playing much at his club, can be very beneficial for us.”
Is Pochettino the latest coach to be captivated by Reyna’s talent? It’s a possibility. This adds further incentive for Reyna to seize this opportunity, as he has not capitalized on his chances at the club level. Eventually, he may run out of opportunities.
Reyna is not the only player who stands to gain from Pochettino’s flexibility, as the USMNT continues to face significant injury challenges. PSV Eindhoven defender Sergiño Dest, AFC Bournemouth midfielder Tyler Adams, Coventry City forward Haji Wright, Zendejas, and Luna were either ruled out due to injuries or had not sufficiently recovered to be included. While injuries are an inherent part of the sport, and no team will have its full roster available at the World Cup, it remains frustrating to witness so many U.S. players sidelined at critical times.
All of the aforementioned absences have varying degrees of impact.
On March 8, Dest suffered a hamstring injury. His capability as an attacking option means he will certainly be missed, even if his position on the right flank is filled by a competent player like Timothy Weah.
Over the weekend, the availability of USMNT players diminished further. Adams transitioned from telling ESPN last Thursday that he was “feeling like I’m in rhythm again” to experiencing discomfort in training on Friday, leading to his exclusion from the squad against Burnley on Saturday and subsequently from the USMNT roster on Tuesday. Pochettino revealed that Adams is expected to be sidelined for “two to three weeks” due to a quad injury.
Wright, who had been in excellent form recently with six goals in six matches, had to be substituted during last weekend’s game against Southampton due to what manager Frank Lampard described as a groin issue.
“I think it’s always tough,” Pochettino commented regarding the injured U.S. players. “It’s difficult because it’s a great opportunity, or the last opportunity to evaluate the player before making the decision. That can always have an influence, positive or negative, but it’s important that [they] can recover as soon as possible and perform, and then have the chance to be selected for the final roster.”
It should be noted that the injury situation is not entirely negative for the USMNT.
Antonee Robinson returns to the national team for the first time since participating in a pair of Concacaf Nations League matches in November 2024. His ability to contribute on both ends of the field is superior to any other left back/wingback in the pool.
Atlético Madrid’s Johnny Cardoso appears to be hitting his stride at the right moment, having overcome injury issues to become a consistent presence in the Atlético lineup. Although he has yet to perform well in a U.S. jersey, his composure on the ball is a quality from which the team could benefit.
AC Milan forward Christian Pulisic, who, alongside Adams, is arguably the most crucial player in the squad, has been facing challenges with form and fitness recently, although he appeared sharper in last weekend’s loss to Lazio, despite going goalless for the 11th consecutive game. His position in the lineup is not under threat, but helping him reach a higher level will be Pochettino’s objective during this camp.
“Christian is playing and of course he’s not scoring, but for me, it’s not solely about scoring goals,” Pochettino stated. “For me, I am satisfied with him in terms of how he’s performing … and the time that he’s playing. And of course, I think it’s a great opportunity for him to join us and of course to perform with us and to try to assist him in arriving in the best condition to be in a good position for selection for the final roster.”
The next two weeks will reveal which players can take advantage of this opportunity.
