USMNT roster prediction: Will Matt Turner be left off of September squad? As the U.S. men’s national team gears up for their upcoming match, the absence of a new coach remains a pressing concern.
The Americans are set to face Jesse Marsch’s Canada in a friendly next Friday in Kansas City. Whether Mauricio Pochettino is officially introduced as the USMNT’s new head coach by then is still uncertain, but the selection of the roster is imminent.
U.S. under-20 coach Mikey Varas has prepared a provisional squad that has been sent to the players’ respective clubs. It is widely expected that Varas will finalize the roster, which will be announced shortly.
Selecting players for the Canada match, along with another exhibition against New Zealand on September 10 in Cincinnati, presents challenges. Several key players who were regulars under former coach Gregg Berhalter have started their European seasons with limited playing time or have yet to see action at all. Some may even switch teams before the summer transfer window closes on Friday night, making it plausible that one or two players could be left off the September roster.
While Pochettino was not involved in the roster decisions for this camp, the backdrop of his anticipated arrival adds an intriguing layer. The upcoming matches offer players a valuable opportunity to demonstrate to the Argentine coach why they deserve a spot in future lineups.
As the new season unfolds and MLS approaches its critical phase, here’s a closer look at the current player pool.
Goalkeepers
Matt Turner, the long-standing starter for the U.S., now finds himself as the third-choice keeper at Nottingham Forest in the Premier League. His position as the No. 1 is in serious doubt, and he is in dire need of a new club. However, given the lack of clearly superior alternatives, it is likely Turner will still receive a call-up.
Ethan Horvath is having a rough time with Cardiff City, currently sitting at the bottom of the English second tier. Young talent Gaga Slonina has performed decently with Barnsley in the third division but may be better off remaining with his club for their league match on September 7. This situation opens the door for MLS goalkeepers Zack Steffen and Patrick Schulte, with Steffen recently leading the Colorado Rapids to the Leagues Cup semifinals and Schulte impressively backing the U.S. Olympic team.
Fullbacks
Antonee “Jedi” Robinson stands out as one of the Premier League’s elite left backs, having played the full 90 minutes in Fulham’s first two league matches, including a 2-1 victory over Leicester City. Kristoffer Lund, who served as Robinson’s backup during Berhalter’s last months, may face competition from New York Red Bulls’ John Tolkin and Caleb Wiley, who is on loan from Chelsea to Strasbourg and has already started both of the French club’s opening games.
On the right side, Sergiño Dest is sidelined until 2025 due to an ACL injury. Joe Scally performed adequately during the Copa América and will likely compete with Bryan Reynolds and Wolfsburg’s Kevin Paredes, who will return from a foot injury. DeAndre Yedlin, a two-time World Cup veteran, remains a potential option, having played under Pochettino at Tottenham.
Center backs
Chris Richards was once viewed as a staple for the USMNT, but his performance in Copa América has raised questions about his starting position. Tim Ream, who partnered with Richards and excelled, is approaching 37 and has transitioned to Charlotte FC in MLS. Although he may not be phased out immediately, a transition before the 2026 World Cup seems likely. Miles Robinson and Walker Zimmermann had mixed results at the Olympics, while Pochettino might lean towards younger players like Cameron Carter-Vickers and Mark McKenzie, who recently moved from Belgium to Ligue 1 Toulouse.
Midfielders
Yunus Musah started in AC Milan’s second match after coming off the bench in their opener. His performance will be under scrutiny as new manager Paulo Fonseca may make adjustments following a recent loss. In contrast, Tyler Adams is still recovering from back surgery and Weston McKennie remains on Juventus’s roster but has not played in their first two matches.
Gio Reyna participated briefly in Borussia Dortmund’s Bundesliga opener, but his role appears limited. Meanwhile, players like Johnny Cardoso, Tanner Tessman, and Aidan Morris are positioned to capitalize on potential openings in the midfield, with Morris having a strong start at Middlesbrough.
Unfortunately, Luca de la Torre’s situation is less favorable, as he has yet to make an appearance for Celta Vigo under new management.
Wingers
Christian Pulisic is continuing his impressive form after a standout season with AC Milan, scoring in their recent match against Parma. He has emerged as one of Fonseca’s key players, which bodes well for both Pochettino and USMNT supporters.
Brenden Aaronson leads Leeds in scoring with two goals in three games, while Malik Tillman has matched that tally for PSV Eindhoven. Tim Weah also made headlines with a stunning goal for Juventus, but his hamstring injury may sideline him for the upcoming matches, possibly opening the door for new talent like Olympian Paxten Aaronson.
Strikers
Josh Sargent is currently the most promising striker for the USMNT, having scored in his last two matches for Norwich City despite a previous injury setback. Folarin Balogun, who has been the primary striker for over a year, remains a likely inclusion despite not playing in Monaco’s latest match.
Ricardo Pepi continues to be a valuable substitute for PSV, while Haji Wright has found success at Coventry City, scoring twice in three matches. With new coaching often brings changes, players like Brandon Vazquez and Jordan Pefok may find opportunities to re-enter the squad, although their current performances in Liga MX and the Bundesliga, respectively, will be closely evaluated.
