United States<\/a> head coach Mauricio Pochettino has named nine MLS players to his 27-man roster for March friendlies against Belgium and Portugal, marking key preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n MLS call-ups are bolded above.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n In the USMNT’s first camp of 2026, UEFA heavyweights Belgium and Portugal await at Atlanta United<\/a>‘s Mercedes-Benz Stadium.<\/p>\n Both opponents are top 10 in the FIFA World Rankings, providing major tests before the US co-hosts this summer’s World Cup alongside Canada<\/a> and Mexico.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n All four goalkeepers are from MLS, with New York City FC<\/a>‘s Matt Freese<\/a> and the New England Revolution<\/a>‘s Matt Turner<\/a> likely battling for the No. 1 role.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Center backs Tim Ream<\/a> (Charlotte FC<\/a>) and Miles Robinson<\/a> (FC Cincinnati<\/a>) are vying for starting spots, as is Columbus Crew<\/a> left back Max Arfsten<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Notably, Real Salt Lake<\/a> midfielder Diego Luna<\/a> misses out after recently returning from a knee injury.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Representing the @USMNT<\/a> in friendlies against Belgium and Portugal. \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 pic.twitter.com\/VghaPkPY9V<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Major League Soccer (@MLS) March 17, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n Columbus Crew<\/a> homegrown Aidan Morris has Middlesbrough on the verge of promotion to the English Premier League, while ex-Charlotte FC striker Patrick Agyemang and Derby County are also in the mix.<\/p>\n FC Dallas<\/a> homegrown Ricardo Pepi (PSV Eindhoven) is back from an arm injury, and fellow FCD alum Tanner Tessmann (Lyon) is vying for a UEFA Champions League spot in Ligue 1.<\/p>\n Philadelphia Union<\/a> homegrown Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United) and FCD product Chris Richards (Crystal Palace) remain key starters for their respective EPL teams.<\/p>\n Then, NYCFC academy products Gio Reyna and Joe Scally are called in from German Bundesliga side Borussia M\u00f6nchengladbach.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n The USMNT are in Group D at the World Cup, where they’ll face Australia, Paraguay and the winner of UEFA Playoff C.<\/p>\n Their final opponent will be revealed on March 31; European nations Kosovo, Romania, Slovakia and T\u00fcrkiye are vying to help round out the 48-team World Cup field.<\/p>\n After the March window, the USMNT will reconvene in May for World Cup tune-up friendlies.\u00a0<\/p>\n Pochettino’s team will face Senegal on May 31 at Charlotte FC’s Bank of America Stadium, then host Germany on June 6 at Chicago Fire FC<\/a>‘s Soldier Field.\u00a0<\/p>\n The USMNT are on a five-game unbeaten streak, ending their 2025 slate with a 5-1 win<\/a> over Uruguay on home soil.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n <\/main><\/p>\n<\/div>\nGOALKEEPERS (4)<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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DEFENDERS (9)<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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MIDFIELDERS (8)<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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FORWARDS (6)<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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March friendlies<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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MLS call-ups<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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MLS alums<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
World Cup awaits<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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One more camp<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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