The head coach of the U.S. Men’s National Team, Mauricio Pochettino, has gained valuable insights about his squad during their recent matches. The team faced a 2-0 defeat against South Korea and secured a 2-0 victory over Japan. Pochettino explored a three-man defense, which could be an exciting tactical shift moving forward.
With only six friendly matches left before the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the schedule is tightening up. Here are the upcoming opponents:
| Pre-World Cup Opponent | Date | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Ecuador | Oct. 10 | Austin, TX |
| Australia | Oct. 14 | Commerce City, CO |
| Paraguay | Nov. 15 | Chester, PA |
| Uruguay | Nov. 15 | Tampa, FL |
| Portugal* | March | Atlanta, GA |
| TBD | March | TBD |
*according to sources
With the squad still evolving, several players will continue to compete for their places up until the final roster announcement in May. Using Pochettino’s preferred 4-3-3 formation, here’s a possible outline of how the team would look following the September window.
More insights will emerge next month when European players, absent in previous fixtures, are expected to return as MLS players focus on the 2025 playoffs.
Starting Goalkeeper: Matt Turner
Backup Goalkeepers: Matt Freese, Zack Steffen
Missing Out: Chris Brady, Diego Kochen, Patrick Schulte, Gabriel “Gaga” Slonina
Despite being the backup since summer, Turner aims to start in his second consecutive World Cup.
Freese showcased his skills in a recent match against Japan, contributing to the team’s clean sheet. The experienced Turner is anticipated to reclaim the starting position as the World Cup approaches.
For the with upcoming matches, Winger positions include:* Tim Weah and Christian Pulisic, while Haji Wright and Alex Zendejas compete for backups.
With much still undecided, Pochettino’s strategic decisions will be scrutinized as the World Cup draws closer, ensuring this will be an intriguing lead-up to the tournament.
