The October international break was well-executed for the U.S. men’s national team, showing promising signs as they gear up for the upcoming World Cup.

After a 1-1 draw against Ecuador and a 2-1 victory over Australia, questions now remain about the team’s readiness for the quadrennial event.

• Coach Mauricio Pochettino seems to favor a formation with three center-backs, allowing regular starters such as Christian Pulisic, Chris Richards, and Tim Weah to rise as key players. Rising talents like Malik Tillman have also been highlighted, while Matt Freese and Tim Ream appear to lead in their positions.
• However, competition for spots is fierce, and Pochettino stated it’s still “open for every single USA player.”
• Despite signs of improvement, the USMNT still appears incomplete, with inconsistencies evident against both opponents, which necessitates further development.

As the countdown to November’s friendlies against Paraguay and Uruguay approaches, several pressing questions linger regarding the USMNT’s roster and performance capabilities.