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Jeff Carlisle
A little over a month ago, the U.S. men’s national team was facing significant challenges. Poor results, underwhelming individual performances, and a lackluster competitive spirit left the team in a tough spot.
However, with the conclusion of the October window, the recent USMNT gathering has shown promising signs, successfully addressing preparations for next summer’s FIFA World Cup. The team’s momentum appears to be at its peak during this cycle, which is a notable improvement given their previous struggles.
The U.S. has gone unbeaten in its last three matches, securing two victories against World Cup-bound teams. More importantly, competition for positions on the field is now fierce.
In attack, Haji Wright has stepped up to challenge Folarin Balogun, even though Balogun still retains an advantage for a starting role.
The midfield now boasts a promising mix of candidates for the World Cup roster. Previously, there were few strong contenders, but now players like Tanner Tessmann, Aidan Morris, and late bloomer Cristian Roldan look ready to make their mark on the world stage.
Meanwhile, the attacking players supporting the center forward are also making bold statements. After a lack of form in September, Weston McKennie has returned to form, while Diego Luna impressed against Australia with high-energy play. Malik Tillman also showed promise against Ecuador.
The defense, utilizing a 3-4-3 formation at times, appears much more solid than it did during the recent 2-0 loss to South Korea.
However, the October window did leave some areas of concern. Christian Pulisic played limited minutes due to ankle and hamstring injuries, while Tillman, sidelined with his own injury, missed the game against Australia. Alejandro Zendejas, a standout in September, also missed out due to a knee issue, and left-back Antonee Robinson couldn’t take the field as he continues to recover from offseason knee surgery. Other absentees included Tyler Adams, Ricardo Pepi, and Johnny Cardoso, the latter two being ruled out due to injuries.
Assembling the best lineup with all of the U.S. players available remains a challenge, and there are not many opportunities left to assess the team before the World Cup begins.
The positive takeaway is that the U.S. managed to perform well and get results, even with several key players missing. The competition within the squad means that those who are not on the field—outside of Adams and possibly Robinson—could find themselves lower on the depth chart.
However, the USMNT’s tendency to start slowly and concede the first goal—something that has happened seven times in 16 matches in 2025—is concerning. This was evident against both Ecuador and Australia, where they struggled to deal with Australia’s high defensive line. Thankfully, the U.S. demonstrated resilience, particularly in achieving a comeback against Australia—the first under Pochettino’s leadership.
Pochettino acknowledged both the team’s ability to recover and the need for improvement. As the World Cup approaches in June, the U.S. cannot afford defensive lapses that place them at a disadvantage from the start.
The USMNT’s resolve, which was questionable previously, appears to have strengthened. Pochettino emphasized that the recent comeback demonstrates the team’s cultural shift for the better. While “culture” can be an ambiguous term, it signifies a more fortified mentality under his guidance.
The players seem to have embraced Pochettino’s message, with McKennie notably stepping up his game. He was instrumental in both matches, especially against Ecuador, showcasing a talent for creating opportunities for Balogun. The challenge now is maintaining his position against coming competition from Tillman and Zendejas; at his best, McKennie would be difficult to displace.
This competitive environment adds intrigue to the upcoming November window, which features matches against Paraguay and Uruguay. The race for two starting midfield roles will be competitive, alongside the battle for the leading striker position.
Health will play a crucial role in determining who thrives and who falls short. No team enters a World Cup entirely injury-free, and performances from players like Roldan, Luna, and Wright are encouraging signs as the roster solidifies.
Currently, the U.S. is back on an upward trajectory, transforming the World Cup from a source of anxiety to one of excitement. There’s renewed confidence that this team can represent the nation with pride.
Much of the credit for this turnaround goes to Pochettino, though he understands that significant work still lies ahead.