Supporters of the United States men’s national team searching for reasons to be optimistic ahead of this summer’s World Cup on home turf need not look far. There are plenty of bright spots among the players, particularly as many Americans are showcasing strong performances, prompting calls for closer examination by coach Mauricio Pochettino during March’s international window and the pre-World Cup matches.
With the Major League Soccer season just kicking off, optimism is plentiful, especially among players in the Premier League. Currently, three of the four Americans in that league are making waves, particularly Tyler Adams, who has returned to full fitness and resumed his pivotal role as Bournemouth’s leading defensive midfielder.
MORE — Breaking down the USMNT’s World Cup group
It’s almost certain that Pochettino’s upcoming roster announcement for March friendlies against Belgium and Portugal will leave out in-form players who undeniably deserve a spot.
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Premier League Players Finding Their Groove
It’s noteworthy that Adams may be having one of the top three seasons among USMNT players in the Premier League, as Chris Richards has been a consistent presence for Crystal Palace when healthy, with only three players — Dean Henderson, Tyrick Mitchell, and Maxence Lacroix — logging more minutes for the team across competitions.
Meanwhile, Brenden Aaronson has been a standout performer for Leeds, utilizing his trademark speed and relentless energy effectively under manager Daniel Farke to replicate his impactful MLS form.
However, Antonee Robinson‘s fitness struggles at Fulham are a concern. Once seen as a crucial, world-class starter, Robinson has played just 71 minutes in the Cottagers’ first 15 matches due to knee issues. Although he returned and made nine starts, he has recently made only a handful of appearances.
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Weston McKennie and Sergino Dest Shine
Juventus recently announced a new contract for Weston McKennie, while Sergino Dest is racking up minutes at PSV Eindhoven, both illustrating how quickly a club career can pivot. McKennie has fought for his spot despite changes in management at Juve, and Dest is coming back strong after an ACL injury. Both players have faced challenges on the USMNT front, with McKennie dealing with off-field issues and Dest receiving a questionable red card in the past.
Still, McKennie has excelled, especially in the Champions League with 899 minutes played, ranking him among the world’s best. He has also scored four goals, reinforcing his value to the team.
Simultaneously, Dest stands out at PSV Eindhoven, where he has contributed significantly at right back, with a goal and six assists. Club and country mate Ricardo Pepi has also impressed, tallying nine league goals, including one recent score following a recovery from a broken arm — an injury that didn’t deter Fulham from pursuing him during the January transfer window.
Other young talents to monitor include Malik Tillman at Bayer Leverkusen, Timothy Weah at Marseille, and Tanner Tessmann at Lyon. Folarin Balogun continues to bolster his standing as Monaco’s top striker, while Christian Pulisic remains a notable presence at AC Milan, even though he’s seen a slight dip in form recently.
Various Concerns for the USMNT
While many players are excelling, several questions linger regarding Pochettino’s selections.
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1) Evaluating the Second Tier: In England, Haji Wright is helping Coventry City aim for Premier League promotion, boasting 15 league goals, among the top scorers in the Championship. Aidan Morris plays a significant role for Middlesbrough, while George Campbell is making waves at West Brom. Josh Sargent was performing well for Norwich City until a transfer saga brought him to Toronto FC.
2) MLS Developments: What is Pochettino’s take on MLS as the season kicks off? The New York Red Bulls have provided promising performances, notably with goalkeeper Ethan Horvath returning to post two victories under new coach Michael Bradley. Young talents like Julian Hall and Adri Mehmeti are also off to a great start, with Cade Cowell generating consistent chances.
3) Noahkai Banks’ Commitment: It’s rare for a 19-year-old center-back to earn regular playing time in the Bundesliga. Noahkai Banks has represented the U.S. at various youth levels but has caught Germany’s attention as well. While he states a World Cup berth won’t dictate his decision, it undoubtedly adds appeal to his commitment to the U.S.
4) The Significance of Minutes: Players like Morris, Joe Scally, and James Sands are logging significant time for their clubs, whereas others with higher profiles, such as Yunus Musah, are not getting as much playing time despite regularly being included in matchday squads. Giovanni Reyna is back in the fold for Gladbach after a month-long absence, while Kevin Paredes is sidelined again after an extended layoff from Wolfsburg.