{"id":907474,"date":"2026-05-22T10:12:28","date_gmt":"2026-05-22T15:12:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2026\/05\/22\/usa-world-cup-roster-prediction-who-makes-the-2026-squad-mlssoccer-com\/"},"modified":"2026-05-22T10:12:28","modified_gmt":"2026-05-22T15:12:28","slug":"usa-world-cup-roster-prediction-who-makes-the-2026-squad-mlssoccer-com","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2026\/05\/22\/usa-world-cup-roster-prediction-who-makes-the-2026-squad-mlssoccer-com\/","title":{"rendered":"USA World Cup roster prediction: Who makes the 2026 squad? | MLSSoccer.com"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Soccer <\/p>\n<div>\n<div>\n<p>It&#8217;s nearly time to see which 26 players will represent the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/clubs\/us-men-s-national-team\/\">United States<\/a> at the 2026 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/competitions\/fifa-world-cup\/\">FIFA World Cup<\/a> this summer.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div>\n<p>Before Mauricio Pochettino unveils his roster in New York City on May 26, I\u2019m putting on my coach hat and predicting who makes the squad for the once-in-a-lifetime tournament on home soil.<\/p>\n<p>I\u2019ve been in the players\u2019 shoes before, narrowly missing out on the 2010 World Cup in South Africa before making the USMNT squad for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. You work so hard to make these teams, and hope you\u2019ve done all you can to merit a roster spot. The sacrifices, the hard work, the ups and downs\u2026 these periods aren\u2019t easy.<\/p>\n<p>I think Pochettino will lean heavily on familiarity and culture. That informs much of my squad as the USMNT build towards their June 12 opener vs. Paraguay.<\/p>\n<p><em>Editor\u2019s Note: Alejandro Bedoya represented the United States from 2010-17, making four of his 66 international appearances at the 2014 World Cup. He is now in his 11th season as a midfielder for the Philadelphia Union and is a two-time Supporters\u2019 Shield champion.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div>\n<p><h3>GOALKEEPERS (3)<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<ul>\n<li>Chris Brady &#8211; Chicago Fire FC<\/li>\n<li>Matt Freese &#8211; New England Revolution<\/li>\n<li>Matt Turner &#8211; New York City FC<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<p>Between <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/players\/matt-freese\/\">Matt Freese<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/players\/matt-turner\/\">Matt Turner<\/a>, who starts for the USMNT this summer? I think it\u2019s up in the air.<\/p>\n<p>They\u2019ll battle it out in training sessions and intrasquad games. I could even see them splitting who starts the two pre-World Cup friendlies vs. Senegal and Germany.<\/p>\n<p>Turner brings World Cup experience from Qatar 2022 and is performing well for a strong <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/clubs\/new-england-revolution\/\">New England<\/a> team. But Freese had a great 2025 with the USMNT and is clearly trusted by the coaching staff.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s super close, and I don\u2019t envy Pochettino for having to make a final decision.<\/p>\n<div>\n<p>As for the third goalkeeper spot, I think <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/players\/chris-brady\/\">Chris Brady<\/a> has the edge over <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/players\/patrick-schulte\/\">Patrick Schulte<\/a> from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/clubs\/columbus-crew\/\">Columbus<\/a>. He\u2019s a glue guy and keeps showing his potential with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/clubs\/chicago-fire-fc\/\">Chicago<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div>\n<p>\n                                <iframe data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/eHfCNdPCQCA?feature=oembed\" allowfullscreen title=\"MR. FREESE | From Harvard to NYCFC &#038; USMNT Goalkeeper\"><\/iframe>\n                            <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div>\n<p><h3>DEFENDERS (8)<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<ul>\n<li>Max Arfsten &#8211; Columbus Crew<\/li>\n<li>Sergi\u00f1o Dest &#8211; PSV Eindhoven<\/li>\n<li>Alex Freeman &#8211; Villarreal CF<\/li>\n<li>Mark McKenzie &#8211; Toulouse FC<\/li>\n<li>Tim Ream &#8211; Charlotte FC<\/li>\n<li>Chris Richards &#8211; Crystal Palace<\/li>\n<li>Jedi Robinson &#8211; Fulham FC<\/li>\n<li>Auston Trusty &#8211; Celtic FC<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<p>We\u2019ll start with Chris Richards, who is an absolute lock and the back-line anchor. Hopefully, he\u2019s fully healthy and can lead the group.<\/p>\n<p>I also think <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/players\/tim-ream\/\">Tim Ream<\/a> is on the plane and could be a key starter. Yes, he isn\u2019t as fast or as agile anymore. But he brings soccer IQ and experience that\u2019s hard to replace.<\/p>\n<p>Maybe it\u2019s my <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/clubs\/philadelphia-union\/\">Philadelphia Union<\/a> bias, but I like Mark McKenzie and Auston Trusty as center backs. McKenzie has been a consistent starter in Ligue 1 for Toulouse, while Trusty is coming off a title-winning season with Celtic in Scotland and brings a unique profile.<\/p>\n<p>Now, I think McKenzie\u2019s spot means <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/players\/miles-robinson\/\">Miles Robinson<\/a> misses out. He just hasn\u2019t been fully healthy for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/clubs\/fc-cincinnati\/\">FC Cincinnati<\/a>, and it\u2019s hard to bring a center back who\u2019s not consistently playing 90 minutes.<\/p>\n<p>Jedi Robinson is your starting left back and is one of the team\u2019s best players on his day. Then, I see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/players\/maximilian-arfsten\/\">Max Arfsten<\/a> as another option on the left. He\u2019s not really a defense-first player, but he brings some true quality in attacking phases.<\/p>\n<p>On the right, we all know Dest\u2019s quality on the ball and how dangerous he is on the dribble. I\u2019ve got <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/clubs\/orlando-city-sc\/\">Orlando City<\/a> alum Alex Freeman as another option, and remember that he can play as a right-sided center back in a back three as well.<\/p>\n<p>From this, I think two Bundesliga guys \u2013 Noahkai Banks and Joe Scally \u2013 miss out. Banks seems to be trying to see if he fits with the US or Germany, and Scally\u2019s club form hasn\u2019t fully translated to the international game lately.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div>\n<p>\n                                <iframe data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/PdTur4BNi8U?feature=oembed\" allowfullscreen title=\"Max Arfsten Hits the Barbershop | USMNT Talk &#038; That \u201cChip on the Shoulder\u201d\"><\/iframe>\n                            <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div>\n<p><h3>MIDFIELDERS (9)<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<ul>\n<li>Tyler Adams &#8211; AFC Bournemouth<\/li>\n<li>Sebastian Berhalter &#8211; Vancouver Whitecaps FC<\/li>\n<li>Diego Luna &#8211; Real Salt Lake<\/li>\n<li>Weston McKennie &#8211; Juventus FC<\/li>\n<li>Jack McGlynn &#8211; Houston Dynamo FC<\/li>\n<li>Cristian Roldan &#8211; Seattle Sounders FC<\/li>\n<li>Gio Reyna &#8211; Borussia M\u00f6nchengladbach<\/li>\n<li>Tanner Tessmann &#8211; Lyon<\/li>\n<li>Malik Tillman &#8211; Bayer Leverkusen<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<p>Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie are two of the first names on the teamsheet. They\u2019re that important for the USMNT, both on the field and emotionally.<\/p>\n<p>If he\u2019s healthy, Tanner Tessmann makes it as another deep-lying player. And then there\u2019s Malik Tillman, who\u2019s had some really bright moments while driving the attack forward and connecting play.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/players\/diego-luna\/\">Diego Luna<\/a> is a no-brainer in my view. He\u2019s been impressive for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/clubs\/real-salt-lake\/\">RSL<\/a> since returning from injury, and Pochettino likes his attitude and commitment. He can do the dirty work and also make a difference in the final third.<\/p>\n<p>Gio Reyna has done enough to make the squad. He\u2019s playing more for Borussia M\u00f6nchengladbach and has proven he can provide a spark. His unpredictability and game-changing plays can be super valuable in a tournament setting.<\/p>\n<p>Based on form, I think <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/players\/sebastian-berhalter\">Sebastian Berhalter<\/a> has to be there. He\u2019s playing so well for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/clubs\/vancouver-whitecaps-fc\/\">Vancouver<\/a>, providing goals and assists, and bringing some of that nastiness Pochettino talks about. When you add in his set-piece ability, there\u2019s a lot to like.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/players\/jack-mcglynn\/\">Jack McGlynn<\/a> brings a skill set that almost nobody else in the program has. With his left foot, he has the vision and ability to play balls that can break teams down and unlock a defense. His long-range shooting is a threat, too. I think Jack can be a serious asset at the World Cup.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/players\/cristian-roldan\/\">Cristian Roldan<\/a> rounds out my midfield and is probably one of the last guys on the team. We\u2019ve seen Poch talk a lot about culture and training habits, pushing the team and guys forward. I think that&#8217;s where you need a player like Roldan. He helps set the tone and intensity, and can also step in and get involved.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div>\n<p>\n                                <iframe data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/xSt8AkebB1k?feature=oembed\" allowfullscreen title=\"The Making of Sebastian Berhalter: From 'Almost Quitting' to USMNT\"><\/iframe>\n                            <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div>\n<p><h3>FORWARDS (6)<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<ul>\n<li>Brenden Aaronson &#8211; Leeds United<\/li>\n<li>Folarin Balogun &#8211; AS Monaco<\/li>\n<li>Ricardo Pepi &#8211; PSV Eindhoven<\/li>\n<li>Christian Pulisic &#8211; AC Milan<\/li>\n<li>Tim Weah &#8211; Marseille<\/li>\n<li>Haji Wright &#8211; Coventry City<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<p>We\u2019re lucky to have Folarin Balogun, Ricardo Pepi and Haji Wright all coming off solid seasons in Europe. They\u2019re the three strikers and are clear picks for the roster. Balogun is probably the starter right now.<\/p>\n<p>Christian Pulisic is there, of course, and I\u2019m hopeful he\u2019ll own the moment this summer. He can be this team\u2019s superstar and hero. Tim Weah is such an important player for this program, who can also play as a right wingback. His quality is undeniable.<\/p>\n<p>The last attacking spot? I\u2019ve got it going to Brenden Aaronson, who\u2019s shown consistency as Leeds United have performed well in the Premier League. He\u2019s one of their most important players and does the dirty work that maybe goes unnoticed.<\/p>\n<p>Now, there are compelling calls for young MLS guys like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/players\/zavier-gozo\/\">Zavier Gozo<\/a> at Real Salt Lake and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/players\/julian-hall\">Julian Hall<\/a> at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/clubs\/red-bull-new-york\/\">Red Bull New York<\/a>. They\u2019re scoring in bunches and are making their case. I just think Pochettino values familiarity and being comfortable with his players, so they miss out, as does Alex Zendejas from Club Am\u00e9rica.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/news\/usa-world-cup-roster-prediction-projection-2026-squad-usmnt\" class=\"button purchase\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read More<\/a>Yuri Wiers<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Soccer It&#8217;s nearly time to see which 26 players will represent the United States at the 2026 FIFA World Cup this summer. Before Mauricio Pochettino unveils his roster in New York City on May 26, I\u2019m putting on my coach hat and predicting who makes the squad for the once-in-a-lifetime tournament on home soil. I\u2019ve [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":907475,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[27926,2005,644],"tags":[10777,5489],"class_list":{"0":"post-907474","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-roster","8":"category-soccer","9":"category-world","10":"tag-roster","11":"tag-world"},"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/907474","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=907474"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/907474\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/907475"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=907474"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=907474"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=907474"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}