Soccer
Gustavo Poyet, who spent four years at Chelsea as a player and now manages Saudi Pro League side Al-Khaleej, believes his former club have made a good move by appointing Xabi Alonso as their new manager.
“Very good appointment, very diligent from the board.”
Gus Poyet shares his thoughts on Chelsea hiring Xabi Alonso as their new manager 🔵 pic.twitter.com/bffGSmzzIm
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) May 27, 2026
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Soccer
Femi Azeez scores at the Unity Cup 2026. Photo credit: Imago
The Unity Cup’s elevation to FIFA Tier 1 status could not have come at a better time for a group of Nigerian players who have spent their careers waiting for this moment, Soccernet.ng reports.
When Femi Azeez, Arthur Okonkwo, Obinna Igboke and Chibueze Oputa took to the field at The Valley on Tuesday night, they did so in a competition that now carries the full weight of international football.
What Unity Cup FIFA Tier 1 status means
FIFA’s competition tier system classifies international tournaments based on their prestige, participation level and competitive standard. Tier 1 is the highest classification, reserved for competitions that carry full caps and count towards FIFA’s official rankings.
The Unity Cup’s elevation means every match at The Valley this month carries full international weight for all four competing nations — Nigeria, Zimbabwe, India and Jamaica.
What it means for Femi Azeez
Former Watford academy product, now at Millwall, Azeez, did not need the extra motivation. The 24-year-old winger scored twice on debut as Nigeria beat Zimbabwe 2–0 in the semi-final, opening the scoring inside five minutes before adding a second in the 63rd minute. He had recorded 19 goal contributions for Millwall in the Championship this season and earned a place in the division’s Team of the Season.
Eric Chelle moved quickly to cap him for Nigeria ahead of England, and those two goals at The Valley are now officially part of his international record. The FIFA Tier 1 confirmation ensures they will remain there.
What it means for Nigeria’s fringe players
Azeez was not alone in making his mark. Arthur Okonkwo, Igboke and Oputa all earned their first caps in a competition that now counts at the highest level. For the domestic-based players in the squad—several of whom were handed rare opportunities by Chelle—the Tier 1 status transforms this developmental exercise into a genuine international milestone.
Nigeria have never lost a Unity Cup match, winning all three previous editions in 2002, 2004 and 2025. Every player who adds their name to that unbeaten run this month does so in a tournament that now carries the full weight of international football.
Ayomide Oguntimehin
Ayomide Oguntimehin is a CAF-accredited sports journalist and Chief Editor at Soccernet.ng. He has interviewed Super Eagles stars like William Troost-Ekong, Taiwo Awoniyi, Bright Osayi-Samuel, and Ademola Lookman, and is known for breaking major transfer stories.
Ayomide has worked with Sports Brief, Naija News and served as Social Lead Editor at Legit.ng. He has also featured on Goal, TVC News, Sports Mole, and Milan News24. He holds a Master’s degree and is currently pursuing a PhD. Follow Ayomide on X (formerly Twitter): @ayo_oguntimehin
Read MoreAyomide Oguntimehin
Soccer
Bukayo Saka and Ousmane Dembele. Photo Credit: Soccernet
Former Super Eagles defender Godwin Okpara has weighed in on the UEFA Champions League final between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal on Saturday, Soccernet.ng reports.
The 2025–26 European club season comes to a close this weekend as the champions of England and France go head-to-head for the biggest prize in European club football.
PSG head into the final as defending champions after thrashing Inter Milan 5–0 in last season’s final, while Arsenal are appearing in only their second final in history and their first in 20 years, since a 2–1 defeat to Barcelona in 2006.
Both PSG and Arsenal have enjoyed impressive runs to the final, eliminating several European heavyweights along the way to set up what promises to be a blockbuster showdown in Budapest.
Pre-match discussions have been dominated by predictions from around the world, with opinions split on who will lift the trophy. Former PSG and Super Eagles defender Godwin Okpara has now added his voice, backing his former club to dominate Europe once again.
Okpara believes PSG’s attack is one of their biggest strengths, but insists Luis Enrique has built a well-balanced team that relies heavily on collective effort rather than individual brilliance, something he feels gives them an edge over Arsenal.
“There is a lot of quality in this PSG squad, and they do not depend solely on Ousmane Dembélé. It is an elite team because they no longer play through just one player”, the former Nigerian defender said, via Footy-Africa.
“Look at their tactical formation. Even Achraf Hakimi operates with the impact of an attacker, but he is fundamentally a defender. Désiré Doué and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia have good understanding and they play as a collective unit, and they win as a team. That is the only way to secure the biggest trophies.
“In the past, during the era of Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé and Neymar, the entire burden of the club was placed strictly on their shoulders. That is exactly why they did not get the results they wanted on the European stage. The PSG team we are seeing now is entirely different. It is built on pure teamwork, not individual egos.”
Despite backing PSG, Okpara admitted the final will be far more difficult than last season’s dominant win over Inter Milan.
He also praised Arsenal’s defensive strength, as the Gunners have conceded just six times in their run to the final, although he expects the game to be very open with plenty of chances for both sides.
“It is going to be an incredibly tough match because both teams are exceptionally strong in their respective areas. I am expecting to see plenty of goals in this final”, Okpara added.
“But when you look closely at the squads—ranking them position by position from the goalkeeper, through the defence, into midfield, and up to the attack—PSG simply possess more quality players. For that reason, I see them winning it.”
PSG have often been underrated in Europe due to the perceived lack of competitiveness in Ligue 1, with critics frequently labelling it a “farmers’ league.”
However, Okpara believes that narrative is outdated and referred to PSG’s consistency in reaching multiple Champions League finals, as well as the final of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in recent years as evidence of the league’s growth.
“This is their time. Reaching a major global showcase like the FIFA Club World Cup and another Champions League final is a great thing for French football. I have never understood why people try to label Ligue 1 as a ‘farmers’ league.’ When I was playing in Belgium, Ligue 1 was the competition that the majority of people actively wanted to watch.
“The French league has a long, rich history and has consistently featured some of the game’s greatest global stars. Ultimately, how a league is perceived comes down to sponsorship and how you promote it. England does that marketing job incredibly well, but French football has always been elite. PSG have suffered for a very long time to establish this consistency, and I am happy to see them there”, Okpara concluded.
The UEFA Champions League final will take place on Saturday at the Puskás Arena in Budapest, with PSG aiming to win the trophy for a second consecutive season, while Arsenal chase their first-ever title.
Ayomide Oguntimehin
Ayomide Oguntimehin is a CAF-accredited sports journalist and Chief Editor at Soccernet.ng. He has interviewed Super Eagles stars like William Troost-Ekong, Taiwo Awoniyi, Bright Osayi-Samuel, and Ademola Lookman, and is known for breaking major transfer stories.
Ayomide has worked with Sports Brief, Naija News and served as Social Lead Editor at Legit.ng. He has also featured on Goal, TVC News, Sports Mole, and Milan News24. He holds a Master’s degree and is currently pursuing a PhD. Follow Ayomide on X (formerly Twitter): @ayo_oguntimehin
Read MoreAyomide Oguntimehin
Soccer
Photo credit: Soccernet
The Soccernet.ng Cage 2026 tournament is officially underway. Inspired by the legendary Nike cage concept, the competition features 48 players divided into 16 teams of three battling it out in intense one-on-one matchups decided entirely by the fans.
From global superstars to emerging African talents, every trio enters the cage with one objective — dominate, entertain and survive. Matchday one delivers an explosive opening clash: Atlas Tango vs Township Toros.
Introducing the teams
Atlas Tango arrive packed with elite quality. Achraf Hakimi brings unstoppable pace and attacking intensity, Enzo Fernández controls games with calmness and precision, while Kylian Mbappé provides the superstar edge capable of changing everything in an instant. Their style is built around speed, movement and ruthless finishing — the perfect ingredients for cage football.
But Township Toros are ready for the fight. Lautaro Martínez offers aggression and deadly instincts in front of goal, Pedri supplies creativity and intelligence under pressure, while South African youngster Mbekezeli Mbokazi brings raw energy, fearlessness and defensive bite. Together, they combine flair with street-football mentality and relentless competitiveness.
What is the Soccernet Cage 2026?
The rules are simple: the fans choose who advances.
🏁 The Cage is open. Today’s Last-16 match:
Atlas Tango:
Achraf Hakimi • Enzo Fernández • Kylian Mbappé.🥶 Township Toros:
Lautaro Martínez • Pedri • Mbekezeli Mbokazi.Which team will advance? Vote👇
— Soccernet.ng (@soccernet_ng) May 27, 2026
Voting will happen across Soccernet.ng social media platforms and through the comments section on-site, where supporters can debate every matchup and back their favourite trio. Skill, chemistry, creativity and big-match moments will decide each battle. Matchday one is here — who owns the cage?
Ayomide Oguntimehin
Ayomide Oguntimehin is a CAF-accredited sports journalist and Chief Editor at Soccernet.ng. He has interviewed Super Eagles stars like William Troost-Ekong, Taiwo Awoniyi, Bright Osayi-Samuel, and Ademola Lookman, and is known for breaking major transfer stories.
Ayomide has worked with Sports Brief, Naija News and served as Social Lead Editor at Legit.ng. He has also featured on Goal, TVC News, Sports Mole, and Milan News24. He holds a Master’s degree and is currently pursuing a PhD. Follow Ayomide on X (formerly Twitter): @ayo_oguntimehin
Read MoreAyomide Oguntimehin
Soccer
The Unity Cup has officially been announced as a FIFA Tier 1 event, marking a major milestone for the tournament and reinforcing its growing international profile, Soccernet.ng reports.
The recognition elevates the competition’s standing ahead of the 2026 edition at The Valley in south-east London, where Nigeria will defend their title against Zimbabwe, India and Jamaica.
Three-time African champions Nigeria and four-time champions Ghana share one of football’s most storied rivalries, and the Unity Cup in London has become one of its most compelling stages. The tournament has provided a platform for the West African heavyweights to battle for supremacy, giving emerging players the chance to make their case while writing new chapters in this historic fixture.
Interestingly, it was this same tournament that launched the international career of Obafemi Martins in 2004 — a forward who went on to enjoy impressive spells with Newcastle United, VfL Wolfsburg and a host of others.
The Unity Cup is an international football tournament held in London, designed to help teams prepare for upcoming competitions and to strengthen ties among nations with significant diasporas in the UK.
The maiden edition of the tournament was held in 2002, featuring Nigeria, Jamaica and the Republic of Ireland. Nigeria won that inaugural tournament and have not lost one since.
The 2004 edition returned to The Valley in Charlton, where Nigeria again emerged champions, defeating the Republic of Ireland 3–0 and Jamaica 2–0.
Nigeria defeated Ireland 3–0 and Jamaica 2–0 to emerge champions of the tournament.
In 2025, the tournament returned with a broader lineup, featuring Nigeria, Ghana, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago at the Brentford Community Stadium. Nigeria defeated Ghana 2–1 in the semi-final before beating Jamaica 5–4 on penalties after a 2–2 draw in the final, claiming their third Unity Cup title and first trophy under Eric Chelle.
In 2026, Nigeria return to defend their title at The Valley in Charlton — the same ground that hosted the 2004 edition — this time facing Zimbabwe, India and Jamaica.
Obafemi Martins made a memorable debut for the Super Eagles during the 2004 Unity Cup in London. In Nigeria’s opening match against the Republic of Ireland, Martins scored in the 50th minute, following Bartholomew Ogbeche’s opener—Ogbeche would go on to finish as the tournament’s top scorer.
That moment marked the beginning of Martins’ international journey. He would later win a bronze medal at the 2006 Africa Cup of Nations and was named CAF’s Most Promising Talent of the Year in both 2003 and 2004. Martins earned 40 caps for Nigeria, scoring 18 goals.
It’s worth noting that Martins had already signed with Inter Milan in 2001, where he scored 23 goals for their youth team. He became a regular first-team player in the 2002/2003 season. While he had been making strides at club level, it’s fair to say that the Unity Cup offered him the opportunity that officially launched his Super Eagles career.
More than two decades after Martins announced himself on the Unity Cup stage, the tournament has produced another debut to remember.
Millwall winger, Femi Azeez, marked his first appearance for the Super Eagles with two well-taken goals as Nigeria beat Zimbabwe 2–0 in the 2026 semi-final at The Valley.
The 24-year-old opened the scoring in the fifth minute with a fine strike from just outside the penalty area before doubling the advantage in the 63rd minute, poking home a Terem Moffi cutback from close range.
Eric Chelle moved quickly to cap him for Nigeria ahead of England, an impressive season with Millwall in the English Championship, and the Unity Cup has given him the perfect stage to justify that decision.
The parallels with Martins are impossible to ignore — a young forward, a first cap in London, two goals and a nation suddenly paying close attention.
Read MoreAyomide Oguntimehin
Soccer
Nigeria manager Eric Chelle during post match press conference after the Unity Cup London 2026 match against Zimbabwe. Copyright: ImagoxToyinxOshodix
The Super Eagles of Nigeria sealed a comfortable 2-0 win over Zimbabwe in the 2026 Unity Cup semi-final, with Eric Chelle fielding several new faces at the Valley Stadium yesterday evening, Soccernet.ng reports.
For the 48-year-old, the match served as a valuable tactical examination ahead of the crucial AFCON 2027 qualifiers and future tournaments.
With several established stars absent, Chelle used the fixture to test new combinations, hand opportunities to new players, foreign and home-based.
By the final whistle at The Valley in London, the Super Eagles had not only secured qualification to the Unity Cup final, but also revealed important clues about the future of a few new players who could be the next generation of the Nigerian National team.
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The Super Eagles looked far more dynamic offensively than many expected, a solid 8 out of 10.
The biggest positive was the emergence of Femi Azeez, whose two-goal display immediately transformed the mood around the squad. His eye for goal made all the difference for the Green and Whites at the Valley Stadium, although Eric Chelle had some question marks about the performance of the Millwall winger.
“He scored two goals, congratulations to him, but also lost a lot of balls technically, so I’m not happy,” the Franco-Malian tactician said.
“He won the ball back many times,sometimes he didn’t recover the ball, so I’m not happy. But for the first time, we can say, “Azeez, congratulations.”
Chelle’s comments show that, despite Nigeria’s good attacking display, he’s very firm on keeping possession and regaining the ball whenever the team lose it.
Chelle opted for a midfield trio of Tochukwu Nnadi, Alhassan Yusuf, and Samson Tijani. They had a disciplined performance, even if it was not spectacular.
The team controlled possession for long stretches and prevented Zimbabwe from establishing sustained pressure centrally. Chelle is keen on maintaining compactness between midfield and defence, which helped Nigeria avoid the chaotic transitions that have hurt them in previous matches.
The midfielders also pressed more aggressively after losing possession, an important sign that Chelle wants the team to become more proactive defensively.
Still, creativity from deeper areas remains a concern. They occasionally struggled to break lines through central passing, relying heavily on wing play and direct runs instead. Against compact opponents, the Super Eagles may still need a more naturally creative midfield profile.
Defensively, this was one of Nigeria’s most organised displays in recent months. The partnership of Christian Nwaiwu and Igoh Ogbu kept things tight at the back.
Zimbabwe rarely created clear-cut opportunities, while Nigeria’s defensive line handled transitions relatively comfortably.
One major positive for Chelle was the performance of debutant goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo. The former Arsenal academy product looked calm under pressure and made an important save in the second half to preserve Nigeria’s clean sheet.
The match also showed that Nigeria may finally have improved defensive depth beyond the regular starters.
The Zimbabwe victory showed that Nigeria possess an attacking depth that could take them further than they went in previous major tournaments, while newer players also proved capable of adapting quickly to Eric Chelle’s tactical ideas.
Adefolahan Guerreiro
Adefolahan is a multilingual CAF-Accredited sports journalist and football writer whose work spans outlets like Soccernet Nigeria, Pure Football UK, and Royalsportz.
With a sharp eye for detail and a background in college sports, he tells the African football story with depth, flair, and global perspective.
Fluent in English, Spanish, and German, he brings a cross-cultural voice to his coverage, blending insight with accessibility for readers around the world.
His portfolio includes interviews with top Nigerian stars like Finidi George, Junior Lokosa, Sikiru Alimi, Sodiq Ismaila, and Abraham Onahi Ogbu.
A devoted Borussia Dortmund fan, Adefolahan thrives on the emotion and rhythm of the beautiful game. Away from work, he’s a sci-fi enthusiast and series lover who enjoys exploring how sport, storytelling, and culture collide.
Read MoreAdefolahan Guerreiro
Soccer
Competition: Irish Premier Division
Market: Over 1.5 goals
Odds: 4/11 @ 1xBet
Looking to make an immediate return to winning ways this weekend, Bohemians will travel to Sligo Rovers on Friday night.
Starting with the hosts, claiming what was a crucial boost last time out and springing an almighty upset in Dublin as they clinched a 2-1 victory away at reigning Premier Division champions Shamrock Rovers, Sligo will certainly be seeking a similar display here. However, still opening Friday’s return to the Showgrounds sat one-point adrift in the relegation play-off spot, John Russell’s camp have drastically failed to find any kind of stability this season and have struggled to capitalise on their April flurry. Last seen in front of their own supporters falling to a woeful 4-1 drumming at the hands of Galway, they have now clinched just a sole win front of their previous five consecutive Premier Division appearances. It should also be highlighted, Sligo have notched just a pair of wins from their last seven showdowns at the Showgrounds – a run that stems all the way back to a 2-1 victory against Drogheda on March 7th.
As for the visitors, watching their extended flurry come to an abrupt end last time out as they fell to a 2-1 loss at home against Shamrock, Bohemians will be desperately searching for an immediate Premier Division response here. Nevertheless, still opening this weekend’s fixtures sat in bronze medal position among Ireland’s elite, Alan Reynolds’ men should find the mood in their camp at a continued high. In fact, last seen on their travels securing a thrilling 4-2 victory away at Galway, Friday’s guests have won each of their other three Premier Division showdowns and they have their sights firmly fixed on mounting a genuine European charge this year. However, the Bohs have struggled to find any kind of defensive stability. Gaining a reputation for their lively outcomes, Reynolds’ side have failed to notch a single clean sheet from any of their last 10 straight outings – a run that stems back to April 3rd.
Bet: Over 1.5 goals at Sligo Rovers vs Bohemians 4/11 for Friday’s Irish Premier Division battle @ 1xBet
Read MoreTom Dunstan
Soccer
Mauricio Pochettino revealed his 2026 FIFA World Cup roster on Tuesday and similarly to some of his past camps in charge, the Argentine focused on picking the right players to represent the U.S. men’s national team.
U.S. Soccer announced Pochettino’s 26-player roster for the summer competition, which will begin in 17-days time on North American soil. Star players Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Tyler Adams and Chris Richards were among the inclusions while players such as Sebastian Berhalter, Alex Zendejas and Folarin Balogun will all be making their World Cup debuts.
Players were reportedly notified of their roster status on Friday May 22, four days before the announcement was made by U.S. Soccer in part of a Live FOX broadcast from Manhattan.
As most of the USMNT’s European contingent concluded their club campaigns this past weekend overseas, Pochettino admitted that him and his coaching staff still needed to evaluate things before Tuesday’s announcement.
“With all of the information we had received, we were working with different things and waiting until the last day to make our decisions,” Pochettino told reporters during a press conference from New York. “I think we had an idea and it wasn’t changing 20 or so players, but we were seeing, analyzing and assessing all of the situations before we decided on the 26 players on the roster.
“Similar to what other national team coaches do, we had to think in all of the aspects and get advice from the medical staffs from all of the clubs too,” he added. “My assessment was to how to get the right balance in the 26 and to have the right players on the roster. It’s painful when you don’t make the roster, I didn’t make the rosters before and it is a tough moment so we want to care for the players because that is what is most important.”
Real Salt Lake’s Diego Luna, Lyon’s Tanner Tessmann, and Atletico Madrid’s Johnny Cardoso were among the players left out of the World Cup roster despite previously featuring under Pochettino during his time as head coach. Tessmann, who missed the final few weeks of Lyon’s domestic season in France, was expected to be available for duty after a slight ankle injury ended his campaign prematurely.
Pochettino was asked about Tessmann’s absence in particular but believed it would be disrespectful to talk about players not in the roster, especially given the importance of the moment.
“I think we cannot talk about the players that are not in the roster because I said it’s very disrespectful to the players that made the roster,” Pochettino said. “That was my decision to pick the 26 and now we need to respect it. From the beginning we have been working really hard for over one year to train and arrive in this moment and be here in the best condition possible.
“It is impossible to be fair with everyone but it is about being competitive in the squad,” Pochettino added. “If I include one, you will then ask me about another, but I have to respect the players and not talk about why the decisions were made. We have different criteria for all of the players and I think that this group is the right 26 players for the squad.”
25 of the 26 players named to the roster were in New York for the announcement, with Chris Richards missing out due to Crystal Palace’s involvement in Wednesday’s UEFA Conference League Final in Leipzig, Germany. Richards, who missed the Eagles’ Premier League finale on Sunday against Arsenal, did return to training on Tuesday and could start in Oliver Glasner’s squad against La Liga club Rayo Vallecano.
For the rest of the USMNT squad, they will next head down to Atlanta for the beginning of camp before pre-World Cup friendlies against Senegal and Germany. Senegal will oppose the Americans in Charlotte, North Carolina on Sunday before Germany awaits them in Chicago, Illinois on June 6.
Pochettino will hope to keep his full squad fresh ahead of their World Cup opener against Paraguay on June 12 and should have an early idea of who is 100% as training camp begins.
“We don’t know,” Pochettino said about Richards’ status and availability. “We see tomorrow if he plays and then we will decide. We have time before the World Cup to start making changes if needed.
“I cannot guess my lineups because we need to train tomorrow and see the level of the players,” he added. “We have all of the references from all of the clubs, but the most important thing is we will be at our new amazing training ground and see how everyone looks. Our medical staff and performance group will be working in a fantastic way to try and keep everyone up to speed. I think we have the experience and the capacity to make the best decisions for Team USA, the country, the players and our fans. The players want to perform, create good memories, and ensure that when you are watching that our team is playing.”
Read MoreLarry Henry Jr
Soccer
San Diego FC midfielder Aníbal Godoy and Minnesota United FC midfielder Carlos Harvey have made Panama’s 26-player roster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Panama will make their second-ever World Cup appearance after debuting at the tournament in 2018.
The Central American side qualified via one of Concacaf’s six direct spots.
Aníbal Godoy and Carlos Harvey will be reppin’ Panama at the World Cup. 🇵🇦 pic.twitter.com/IxRf8gCf8Z
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 26, 2026
The 2026 World Cup has expanded from the usual 32 nations to 48 total. The top two teams advance from each group, and the top eight third-place finishers also make the knockout phase (Round of 32).
The tournament, which is co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, spans from June 11 to July 19.
Godoy is Panama’s all-time appearance leader and often sports the captain’s armband.
He featured during his country’s historic 2018 World Cup trip and has helped lead Panama to two Concacaf Gold Cup finals (2013, ’23).
Godoy has been equally consistent during his MLS career, which has spanned 12 seasons and 251 matches across stints with the San Jose Earthquakes (2015-19), Nashville SC (2020-24) and San Diego FC (2025-present).
After plying his trade in the USL Championship with LA Galaxy II and Phoenix Rising, Harvey has developed into a regular contributor for Minnesota United, making 61 appearances across all competitions with the Loons since 2024.
Harvey’s stock for Panama has increased accordingly. He has now accrued 25 caps, 21 of which have come since the start of 2024.
Read MoreBuffy Grumbles
Soccer
The United States‘ 26-player roster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup is set.
Eight players compete in MLS for eight different clubs, amounting to 31% of head coach Mauricio Pochettino’s team.
Of the 26 players named, another 13 (50%) are either MLS homegrown products or players who spent time in an MLS academy.
Combined, those 21 players account for 81% of the USMNT’s World Cup squad.
The 2026 World Cup has expanded from the usual 32 nations to 48 total. The top two teams advance from each group, while the top eight third-place finishers also make the knockout phase (Round of 32).
The tournament, which is co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, spans from June 11 to July 19.
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 26, 2026
Arfsten burst onto the USMNT scene in 2025, debuting that January and making 16 appearances during the calendar year.
The attack-minded wingback led the team with five assists in 2025, and adds competition alongside Fulham FC’s Antonee Robinson.
Arfsten rolled that success into 2026, pacing the Columbus Crew with a team-best eight contributions (4g/4a) before the World Cup break.
The son of former USMNT and current Chicago Fire FC head coach Gregg Berhalter, Sebastian has taken MLS by storm the past two seasons.
The Vancouver Whitecaps FC midfielder has 10g/19a since the beginning of 2025, helping lead his side to the Concacaf Champions Cup and MLS Cup finals, while being named to the MLS Best XI.
This season, he once again has Vancouver in contention for a trophy.
Internationally, Berhalter debuted for the USMNT in 2025. Renowned for his set-piece ability, he’s tallied 1g/3a while featuring in the heart of midfield.
Now in his fourth season as Chicago’s starting goalkeeper, Brady has made 115 first-team appearances (all competitions) at just 22 years old.
That helped the homegrown standout separate himself from the competition and earn the third goalkeeper spot on the USMNT’s roster.
Brady is off to a strong start in 2026, keeping six clean sheets with Chicago in 14 league matches. He’s still seeking his first USMNT cap.
Vying for the USMNT’s starting role at the World Cup, Freese enjoyed a breakout 2025 for club and country.
He started 13 international matches, including every game at the Concacaf Gold Cup, and was a finalist for 2025 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year with New York City FC.
Before this emergence, Freese began his professional career as a homegrown player with the Philadelphia Union.
Ream boasts the second-most caps of any active USMNT player, behind only AC Milan forward Christian Pulisic.
The Charlotte FC center back made his international debut in 2010 and played every minute of the USMNT’s four games at the 2022 World Cup.
After a prosperous career with Fulham and Bolton Wanderers in the English Premier League and EFL Championship, Ream joined Charlotte in 2024. He began his professional career with Red Bull New York.
Robinson‘s USMNT breakout came at the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup, when he scored the game-winning goal in the 117th minute to lift the United States to the title over arch-rivals Mexico.
Since then, the center back has consistently featured in the United States’ defense when fit and available.
At club level, Robinson has spent his entire career in MLS, making 231 combined appearances (all competitions) for Atlanta United and FC Cincinnati.
He is a two-time MLS Best XI honoree and two-time MLS Defender of the Year finalist.
Roldan has played his entire professional career with the Seattle Sounders, and recently surpassed 400 appearances (all competitions) for the club.
The 2022 World Cup veteran arguably experienced his best-ever professional season in 2025, earning MLS Best XI honors and helping Seattle win Leagues Cup.
Until late 2025, it looked as though the midfielder’s international career was over. But his strong play in MLS caught Pochettino’s eye, and he’s featured in every match since September of last year.
After starting for the USMNT at Qatar 2022, Turner is back for his second World Cup and could feature prominently on home soil.
The 2021 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year has been on loan with the New England Revolution, where he rose to prominence before time in England and a move to Ligue 1’s Lyon.
At the international level, Turner is among the USMNT’s most experienced players at the tournament.
Read MoreLaine Noren
