The U.S. men’s national team’s first international window since its disappointing Copa America showing is vastly approaching.
Whether or not Mauricio Pochettino will be on the sidelines for September’s pair of home friendlies vs. Canada and New Zealand remains to be seen, but many of the USMNT’s key players are expected to be available.
Christian Pulisic, Josh Sargent, and Haji Wright are among the USMNT goalscorers in the early stages of the European club season. While Pulisic remains a lock in the USMNT squad, both Sargent and Wright will be pushing for opportunities to become consistent call-ups to close out the year.
Weston McKennie’s early lack of playing time at Juventus is a worry while Tyler Adams remains sidelined at Bournemouth. Yunus Musah will headline the midfield group after a positive start at AC Milan while Lennard Maloney, Johnny Cardoso and Tanner Tessmann will also fight for opportunities.
Matt Turner’s worrying spell at Nottingham Forest could open the door for Ethan Horvath and Gabriel Slonina to earn minutes this window. Both Horvath and Slonina have started the season as their respective clubs’ No. 1’s and could get the nod over Turner this month.
The USMNT centerback picture also remains open with Chris Richards, Tim Ream, Cameron Carter-Vickers, and Mark McKenzie all jostling for starting jobs.
What will the squad chosen for the USMNT’s September friendlies look like?
Here is a closer look at the possibilities:
Goalkeepers
Matt Turner, Ethan Horvath, Gabriel Slonina
Matt Turner’s No. 3 role at Nottingham Forest could very well open up the race for the USMNT’s No. 1 job.
Turner has stayed at the City Ground this summer, but remains behind several options for the starting job. Whether or not Turner makes a move before the summer transfer window closes remains to be seen, but his USMNT future is in jeopardy if he doesn’t.
Ethan Horvath remains Cardiff City’s No. 1 through the opening three weeks of the EFL Championship season, but has endured some tough moments. A forgettable performance at Burnley was followed up by some shaky spells against rivals Swansea City.
Horvath has also made a few key saves, but it’s unsure if that has truly boosted him in front of Turner right now.
Gabriel Slonina has been the most impressive of three with Barnsley in League One. His Man of the Match performance in his EFL Cup debut was followed up by positive starts against Lincoln City and Northampton Town.
Missed the Cut: Zack Steffen, Sean Johnson, Drake Callender, Patrick Schulte.
Defenders
Chris Putman/ISI Photos
Tim Ream, Chris Richards, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Mark McKenzie, Richie Ledezma, Joe Scally, Antonee Robinson, Kristoffer Lund.
The USMNT’s ever-changing centerback corps will likely feature another shuffle for the September window.
Tim Ream might be 36-year-old but he still brings veteran experience to the squad. After making his move back to MLS, Ream remains a starter and could very well remain one on the international level during the start of the Pochettino-era.
Chris Richards and Cameron Carter-Vickers remain starters with their respective clubs and will be fighting for opportunities under the new head coach. Richards has been on the losing end of Crystal Palace’s opening two matches of the Premier League campaign while Carter-Vickers has enjoyed a winning start to his third season with Celtic.
A strong international window could boost them into the XI for the October and November windows.
Mark McKenzie earned himself a larger move to Ligue 1 side Toulouse from Belgian club Genk. The former MLS homegrown was a consistent player for Genk, but now has a new challenge in front of him in France.
McKenzie has the leg up over a few other center backs but could be challenged by Auston Trusty, Miles Robinson, among others in the future.
Antonee Robinson remains the USMNT’s No. 1 left back option while Kristoffer Lund and Caleb Wiley could fight for opportunities. Lund has remains at Serie B side Palermo this season while Wiley is on loan at Ligue 1 side Strasbourg from parent club Chelsea.
Lund will have the advantage over Wiley, but the youngster’s versatility could see him used on either side.
Joe Scally’s impressive summer with the USMNT means he will enter camp as the likely starter at right back. Sergino Dest’s long-term injury could force others into the mix at right back including Bryan Reynolds and Richie Ledezma, who has featured in a new role at PSV this season.
Ledezma’s return to competitive action deserves him a shot back in the USMNT picture.
Missed the Cut: Kevin Paredes (Injury), Bryan Reynolds, Reggie Cannon, Auston Trusty, Miles Robinson.
Midfielders
Weston McKennie, Yunus Musah, Brenden Aaronson, Malik Tillman, Paxten Aaronson, Lennard Maloney, Johnny Cardoso, Griffin Yow.
The lack of early season playing time for Weston McKennie and the continued injury absence of Tyler Adams will force others to step up in the USMNT midfield.
Yunus Musah will be the leader of the bunch after featuring in both of AC Milan’s matches so far this season. Musah’s work ethic and determination should be easy for many others to follow in the squad.
Despite not featuring in Juventus’ opening two matches of the season, McKennie still remains an important part of the USMNT plans. Paired with Musah, the duo are two of the best in CONCACAF and among the rising stars in the world.
Brenden Aaronson’s impactful start with Leeds United could see him used in the No. 10 role, or as an additional midfielder in the formation. Aaronson’s abilities around the 18-yard box paired with his defensive pressing makes him a likely option to start against Canada.
Malik Tillman’s permanent move to PSV could be what keeps him in the USMNT plans long-term. His goalscoring and playmaking abilities are something the USMNT needs on a consistent basis and Tillman could desperately use a positive window after some quiet international performances prior.
Lennard Maloney is one player who could make the most of Tyler Adams’ absence. Maloney remains a consistent starter for Heidenheim and still is at a young age of 24-years-old. He could be used on the defensive side of things, allowing players like Aaronson, Tillman, McKennie, and Musah to get higher upfield.
Paxten Aaronson is one of several young players fighting to be part of Pochettino’s plans and a positive start to his loan spell with FC Utrecht warrants him an opportunity. He might not start either match, but he could play a part off the bench.
Johnny Cardoso is another option in Adams’ absence and despite not staying in Real Betis’ XI plans consistently this new season, he could use the call up. Cardoso and Maloney could fight to feature in the Adams’ role, or potentially alongside one another.
Griffin Yow enjoyed a stellar breakout season in 2023-24 and also showed positive moments at the Paris Olympics. Similar to Paxten Aaronson, Yow is one of the young talents who could be on the way up the pecking order.
Tanner Tessmann’s proposed move to Lyon has him on the outside looking in, while Gianluca Busio is injured.
Missed the Cut: Tyler Adams (Injured), Tanner Tessmann, Gianluca Busio (Injured), Djordje Mihailovic.
Forwards
Christian Pulisic, Gio Reyna, Haji Wright, Folarin Balogun, Josh Sargent, Ricardo Pepi, Cade Cowell.
The USMNT attacking corps should feature a lot of versatility for the September matches.
Christian Pulisic has enjoyed a positive start his second season with AC Milan and overall remains one of the key leaders in the USMNT squad. He will likely feature at left wing, but could also drop into the No. 10 role if that is what Pochettino aims to do with him.
Gio Reyna might be a bench option for Borussia Dortmund to start the Bundesliga season, but he could be a starter for the USMNT. Reyna’s versatility makes him an option to feature as a winger or attacking midfielder against Canada and/or New Zealand.
The No. 9 fight continues in September with Folarin Balogun, Josh Sargent, and Ricardo Pepi all in the mix. Sargent has two goals with Norwich City so far this season while Pepi added one off the bench for PSV.
Balogun, however, has yet to find the back of the net for Ligue 1 side Monaco. Although he remains the most talented forward in the pool, Balogun could be on the outside with Sargent and Pepi getting the slight edge due to form.
Haji Wright’s shift into a winger role with Coventry City could also see him used in that role again with the USMNT. Wright has two goals to his name with the Sky Blues in England and also deserves an opportunity this month after a hot start in England.
Cade Cowell’s positive start to the Liga MX Apertura season warrants him an opportunity with the USMNT. Cowell’s dynamic running and fearlessness in possession could make him a player to watch over the next few months.
Tim Weah’s status is up in the air due to his hamstring injury, but to save him for future inclusion, it might be good to let him stay in Turin over the international window.
Missed the Cut: Tim Weah (Injury), Brandon Vazquez, Taylor Booth, Alex Zendejas (Injured), Jordan Pefok, Jordan Morris.
What do you think of our projected roster? Who made the cut that you are hoping is included? Who did we leave out that you think deserves to be part of the September squad?
Share your thoughts below.
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