Soccer <\/p>\n
US men’s national team<\/a> head coach Mauricio Pochettino has named 16 MLS players to his 27-man roster for a pair of June friendlies before this summer’s Concacaf Gold Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n MLS call-ups are bolded above.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n In the build-up to the Gold Cup, the USMNT will host a pair of tune-up contests against European foes T\u00fcrkiye and Switzerland. Both opponents reached the quarterfinals at the UEFA Euro 2024 tournament.<\/p>\n The Pochettino-led USMNT begin their Gold Cup slate on June 15 against Trinidad & Tobago at San Jose Earthquakes<\/a>‘ PayPal Park, before closing Group D play against Saudi Arabia and Haiti. Each group’s top two sides reach the knockout phase.<\/p>\n With the 2026 FIFA World Cup looming, the Gold Cup provides a crucial opportunity for the USMNT to rebound after coming up short in the Concacaf Nations League<\/a> last March.<\/p>\n Real Salt Lake<\/a> midfielder Diego Luna<\/a> continues to thrive after being named the 2024 MLS Young Player of the Year, already scoring seven goals before the season’s midway point.<\/p>\n Vancouver Whitecaps FC<\/a> forward Brian White<\/a> is tied for third in the Golden Boot presented by Audi race (eight goals) and has played a crucial role in his side reaching the Concacaf Champions Cup<\/a> final on June 1 vs. LIGA MX’s Cruz Azul.<\/p>\n Colorado Rapids<\/a> goalkeeper Zack Steffen<\/a> will vie for the starting role alongside former New England Revolution<\/a> netminder Matt Turner, while center backs Tim Ream<\/a> (Charlotte FC<\/a>) and Miles Robinson<\/a> (FC Cincinnati<\/a>) offer a veteran presence.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Freeman has seized a starting role after shining in MLS NEXT Pro<\/a>, Sullivan has a team-high seven assists for the league-leading Union, and Berhalter’s box-to-box role proved pivotal in Vancouver reaching the CCC final.<\/p>\n After impressing in this year’s January camp, Houston Dynamo FC<\/a> midfielder Jack McGlynn<\/a> and Charlotte FC<\/a> striker Patrick Agyemang<\/a> will both hope to carve out bigger roles.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\nGOALKEEPERS (4)<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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DEFENDERS (8)<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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MIDFIELDERS (10)<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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FORWARDS (5)<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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June friendlies<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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Difference-makers<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Rising profile<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n