USMNT - 2026 Cycle - "Early Days"

[rass]

That's amazing?

[Nonlinear FC]

Fiji playing astonishingly low block. Almost unwatchable, but there's almost no chance the US doesn't score at some point.

Really shitty tactical approach. Hoping that you luck box into a 0-0 draw is pretty lame.

US finally broke free on a late goal from Luna, then a dying minute goal from Caden.

* Luna looks like he's 37 years old. Shocking he's U20.

[The Sybian]

Fiji playing astonishingly low block. Almost unwatchable, but there's almost no chance the US doesn't score at some point.

Really shitty tactical approach. Hoping that you luck box into a 0-0 draw is pretty lame.

US finally broke free on a late goal from Luna, then a dying minute goal from Caden.

* Luna looks like he's 37 years old. Shocking he's U20.

You'd expect a man to spend 20 years in prison before accumulating that many neck tattoos.

Not sure what to make of the game. Didn't expect Fiji to be a challenging opponent, so can't judge much from the game other than to say they need to start hitting the net! So many clear goal scoring chances put wide. Cade Cowell looks like a pure goal scorer. Beautiful goal by him and an absolute rocket off the underside of the bar followed by another blast off the post.

I'd be curious to see the XG on that match but didn't see it anywhere. I think the US had 31 shots, 7 on target.

[Nonlinear FC]

Yeah, there was a decent amount (probably an easy half dozen) of chances that were an inch away on contact with the ball from banging into the back of the net (and I wasn't even watching all that closely, so I probably missed a few.

Fiji were committed to parking the bus and they have some decent athletes and carried a solid attitude -- as much as we hate watching it, it takes a lot of commitment to not run around like a donkey in that "system."

Gomez looks like he's ready to go off and, yeah, Cade is a special player.

[Rex]

USA up 1-0 on Slovakia on an absolute wonder goal from Cade Cowell. Has a US men's team ever run the table in a World Cup group stage, at any age level?

[Rex]

2-0. USA ran circles around those guys all day long. Now, we should be rooting for Uzbekistan in the Uzbek-Guatemala derby match. A third-place qualifier from Group A means more of a chance that that team, rather than Italy or Nigeria, is our Round of 16 opponent. A Guatemala win would be better than a tie.

[tennbengal]

Here's a good read (hell, probably a great read). I'm just gonna paste it all:

https://theathletic.com/4561507/2023/05 ... =twitterhq

In the lead-up to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, discussions around the U.S. men’s national team centered on potential.

The squad that qualified for the World Cup was the youngest in the world, by average age. They were the second-youngest team at November’s tournament. Over the next three years, however, that narrative will shift and the team will no longer be judged on potential. Many young stars will enter their primes. A home World Cup will increase expectations.

While the 2026 World Cup feels a long way away, the reality is that this upcoming summer could have a massive influence on the growth of the young core of the USMNT. It will influence whether the reality of this team’s maturation matches the expectations.

From stars like Christian Pulisic and Tyler Adams in their mid-20s looking for the correct move as they enter their prime, to younger stalwarts like Yunus Musah and Tim Weah seeking the next step in their promising young careers, to players further down the pool like Auston Trusty and Taylor Booth trying to firm up their standing in the pool and become regular call-ups, the decisions on which clubs to play for — the countries, the styles of play, their roles within the team, whether they regularly feature in European competition — will impact each individual’s respective development.

That, in turn, will reflect on the USMNT.

It’s a summer of flux for the U.S. national team, from organizational leadership to technical staff, down through the pool’s biggest stars.

U.S. Soccer named Matt Crocker sporting director in April, the first of a crucial set of top-down decisions at the program. Crocker said last week he aims to hire a USMNT head coach by August. That person will play a huge role in the direction of the program. Another key decision came this month when FIFA approved Folarin Balogun’s switch to represent the United States after previously being with England, completed in time to debut next month at the Nations League.

With his international future sorted, Balogun can focus on charting his club future. But, as noted above, the uncertainty of where he will play next season is shared by a significant swath of the first-team pool. More than a dozen European-based U.S. players could be on the move this summer.

Where the players land won’t be entirely in their hands. How many of the players are going to be first-choice transfer options? How many others will learn their fate later in the window, as other players at their positions are bought and sold? How much will individual desire — the want to play for a Champions League contender versus the desire to be a featured star — weigh against what the market looks like for the players?

Here’s a look at the pivotal upcoming window for European-based U.S. players.

Likely to leave

Christian Pulisic

Starting with a captain, and the biggest star, Christian Pulisic looks to be on the move from Chelsea this summer.

There is one year left on his current deal and the winger played just 813 minutes in the Premier League this season, falling down the pecking order under three different managers just in 2022-23. Mauricio Pochettino will be the next Chelsea manager, maybe he has a different opinion on Pulisic’s standing in a crowded attacking group.

Figuring out a likely landing spot is murky. Finances, stature and Chelsea’s own plans cloud the outlook. Pulisic has been linked in potential swap deals for Chelsea to acquire other targets.

Newcastle, who officially qualified for the Champions League, could be a candidate for Pulisic with the right combination of European soccer, money to cover the deal and route to regular first-team minutes. Italian giants AC Milan and Napoli could make sense, but finances will be a hurdle.

There is a question, too, about what Pulisic is looking for. Does he want to go to another Champions League team where he’ll be in a fight for every minute? Does he drop down to the next tier of club, where he’ll be asked to be the man and develop in that way?

There’s a lot to be figured out at a crucial career point for the 24-year-old.

Tyler Adams

A stellar debut season in England for Tyler Adams was cut short by hamstring surgery in March, a crucial blow for Leeds United’s fight against relegation, which became inevitable on the final day of the season. The club finished 19th in the league and will spend 2023-24 in the Championship.

The expectation is Adams will depart now. But where to?

Adams’ performance and stylistic fit in the Premier League will make him an attractive option for any club outside the top six that can afford him. Will Adams prefer a potential rotation role at a top-six club or look to be a crucial starter at a club further down the table, like he was with Leeds?

Adams spent two and a half seasons at RB Leipzig and his style fits well with the Bundesliga, but German clubs will find it difficult to compete with Premier League clubs’ offers both in terms of transfer fee and contract.

Yunus Musah

After three seasons as a key player in Valencia’s midfield, Yunus Musah is likely to depart for a new challenge this summer. The Premier League is a likely landing spot.

Musah, 20, has been linked with numerous Premier League clubs, including Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool and more. He’s a former England youth international and was a product of Arsenal’s academy before he joined Valencia.

Valencia is in a relegation battle and is in a good spot heading into the final day of the season, but aren’t mathematically safe yet. The Athletic’s David Ornstein reported he could be available for around $22 million.

Musah has already accrued 24 caps for the USMNT and is a crucial member of the squad.

Folarin Balogun

The USMNT’s newest star already made one crucial decision ahead of the summer when FIFA officially approved his switch to represent the United States, but now Balogun needs to sort his club situation.The 21-year-old has excelled on loan in France with Reims from Arsenal this season, becoming the first American to score 20 goals in one season in a top-five league. He has scored 20 of Reims’ 44 goals, the highest percentage of any player in France. He’s tied for fourth in the Golden Boot chase.

Ornstein reported last month Balogun wants to be a first-choice striker wherever he plays next season, which is unlikely at Arsenal with Gabriel Jesus and others in place. He also reported Balogun doesn’t want to go on loan again, with a permanent transfer the preference. AC Milan, Inter Milan, RB Leipzig, Marseille and Monaco are clubs expected to pursue Balogun.

Weston McKennie

Weston McKennie’s time at Leeds did not go well, with the fans chanting “you fat b—rd” at the American as he subbed out on the final day of the season.

McKennie will return to Juventus from his failed loan to Leeds. Will he make another move to England?

Brighton and Hove Albion are the latest clubs to be linked for a move this summer, while Bournemouth and Aston Villa were reportedly interested in the midfielder in January before he went to Leeds. The 24-year-old made 41 appearances this season between Juventus and Leeds.

Sergiño Dest

Dest’s move to Barcelona from Ajax has been far from a dream. And his loan to AC Milan turned into a nightmare. This summer, his next transfer, be it permanent or on loan, is at an inflection point for his young career.

Dest, 22, has made only two Serie A starts this season with Milan and hasn’t appeared in a league game since January 24. He hasn’t even made the bench since March 4. Milan won’t trigger his purchase option and Dest will return to Barcelona this summer before likely making a new move.

Dest has been linked with a loan move to Union Berlin, where he could join fellow USMNT teammate Jordan Pefok, but one source, who’s involved in discussions regarding Dest’s future and granted anonymity to speak freely, told The Athletic that report isn’t true. Considering the stature of Dest’s clubs so far, the hope will be that he is back in the Champions League next season, but more importantly, he needs to find a club where he will get regular minutes again.

Tim Weah

Weah was a regular for Lille this season, but the attacker spent most of his minutes at either right or left fullback. For the USMNT, he thrives as a direct winger in a 4-3-3.

The 23-year-old could leave Lille this summer. Clubs from each of the top five leagues are interested, while a source involved in discussions regarding Weah’s future confirmed to The Athletic that Marseille is indeed among the clubs pursuing him.

Weah joined Lille from PSG in 2019 and won a league title with the club in 2020-21. Lille currently sits fifth with two matches remaining in the Ligue 1 season. Weah scored the opening goal for the U.S. at the World Cup and is a leader and glue guy in the locker room. The hope will be that he gets back into a squad where he’ll play regularly at the winger spot he plays on the international stage.

Brenden Aaronson

Like Adams, it’s expected Brenden Aaronson will be on the move this summer following Leeds’ relegation.

The Athletic reported that Aaronson does indeed have a relegation release clause in his contract and that sources are expecting it to be triggered. He should have options to remain in the top flight.

Aaronson, signed last summer for $30 million from RB Salzburg in a deal that was dependent on Leeds staying in the Premier League, appeared in 36 of the club’s 38 league games this season but hasn’t started in more than a month.

The 22-year-old broke through at the Philadelphia Union before transferring to RB Salzburg, where he stayed for a year and a half ahead of Leeds. The hard-working attacker has 29 caps with the USMNT.

Ricardo Pepi

Pepi is pushing to leave Augsburg this summer, a sentiment that has been conveyed to the German club in no uncertain terms, and it’s already gotten messy.

Pepi, his agent and Augsburg have all put out differing quotes on his future. Pepi was quoted by Fabrizio Romano saying there was “no chance” he’d stay at Augsburg after the club said they were counting on him for next season. Pepi’s agent was quoted by Dutch media saying the club should answer Pepi’s text before speaking about him publicly. Augsburg have made it clear they don’t feel they need to sell him.

PSV and Feyenoord are among the clubs interested in Pepi, but nailing down a price point will be difficult. Augsburg paid a club-record fee of around $18 million upfront plus $2 million incentives to sign the forward from Dallas 18 months ago and he’s under contract until the summer of 2026 with a club option for another year, so Augsburg has leverage.

Pepi, 20, has 12 goals on loan with FC Groningen in the Dutch top flight, though the club has been relegated to the second tier for next season.

Zack Steffen

Steffen plans to leave Manchester City this summer, perhaps on a permanent deal but another loan can’t be ruled out.

“I don’t think I’ll go back,” Steffen told Jonathan Tannenwald of the Philadelphia Inquirer in March. “No, I want to be playing. Although I had a great time at City and I love those guys, and obviously an amazing club, I don’t really have any plans to go back.”

Steffen, 28, spent this season on loan with Middlesbrough in the Championship. They failed to win promotion, losing in the Championship playoffs, and announced Steffen as one of the players who would be departing this summer. Steffen was acquired by Manchester City for around $7.5 million upfront (with add-ons to take the fee up to $10 million) in January 2019.

Options for loan or permanent deals elsewhere in England as well as Germany, where he spent 2019-20 on loan with Dusseldorf, are likely.

Ethan Horvath

The Nottingham Forest goalkeeper spent the season on loan at Luton Town and was a significant part of their promotion to the Premier League. Horvath started 44 games for Luton this season, with a rate of 0.84 goals against per 90 minutes. His post-shot expected goals rate was slightly under what was expected, but Horvath was mostly steady in net and, for the second straight season, was involved in the promotion of a team from the Championship to the Premier League.

Luton has the option to make the loan permanent. Considering his role this season, it would not be surprising if they triggered that option this summer.

Malik Tillman

On loan at Rangers from Bayern Munich, Malik Tillman has had a breakout season in Scotland. The original deal includes a purchase option: Will Rangers pick it up?

Tillman, turning 21 next week, has 11 goals and four assists in 43 appearances across all competitions for the Scottish giants this season. He made seven appearances for Bayern last season as he looked to break into the first team. Tillman will no doubt have a big say as to whether he remains in Scotland or seeks another move.

Bryan Reynolds

Reynolds is overwhelmingly expected to leave AS Roma this summer, with numerous clubs hopeful to take on the 21-year-old fullback.

The Athletic reported last week that West Ham is pursuing Reynolds, while Westerlo has already had an initial bid rejected. Part of West Ham’s plan would be to loan Reynolds to Sparta Prague next season for consistent playing time, a source with knowledge of the discussions told The Athletic.

Clubs in Belgium, the Netherlands and England are interested. With Reynolds’ familiarity and form in Belgium — currently on loan at Westerlo and spent half a season at Kortrijk — staying in Belgium or heading to the neighboring Netherlands seems likely.

Reynolds played just one Serie A minute under Jose Mourinho after being signed by Roma from FC Dallas in January 2021.

Auston Trusty

Trusty’s first season in England was a strong one; he was named Birmingham City’s Supporters’ Player of the Year while on loan from Arsenal.

It is unlikely Trusty breaks into Arsenal’s first-team squad, of course, and so he is expected to be on the move again. The 24-year-old has been linked with Rangers, and after his success with Birmingham, he’s likely to have interest elsewhere in the Championship.

Trusty started 44 of Birmingham’s Championship matches, a constant presence on the club’s backline. He chipped in with four goals as well.

Taylor Booth

Booth parlayed his career season with Utrecht into his USMNT debut in March.

The versatile midfielder, turning 22 next week, has two goals and four assists in 24 Eredivisie appearances over his debut season in the Netherlands after leaving Bayern Munich. Performances for a club like this often catch the attention of bigger clubs in the league as well as elsewhere in Europe.

Utrecht will want to cash in on Booth, and where they set the price is critical.

Probably staying

This portion isn’t exhaustive. For instance, it’s obvious Tim Ream will remain with Fulham, Joe Scally with Borussia Monchengladbach and Daryl Dike with West Brom, to name a few.

Gio Reyna

Borussia Dortmund were left heartbroken on the final day of the season, failing to nail down their first Bundesliga title in more than a decade thanks to a home draw to Mainz. While Gio Reyna hasn’t been a regular starter, he was a contributor to the title push with seven goals and two assists in 610 minutes.

Reyna is still only 20 years old and should have an improved outlook for playing time next season as he continues to develop and, hopefully, have better injury luck.

Any potential transfer would have to be for huge money, Reyna is regarded as one of the most talented U-21 players in the world. Dortmund has a history of developing and selling players for big money, like when Chelsea signed Pulisic from Dortmund for north of $70 million in 2019. Considering the drama that surrounded Reyna after the World Cup, however, this summer may not be the best time to try to maximize that value, and Reyna’s role off the bench in the back half of the season doesn’t set up well for that, either.

Josh Sargent
It wasn’t a season to remember for Norwich City, but it was an important one for Sargent.

Sargent, 23, easily set career bests in goals (13) and league minutes (3,158). He didn’t exclusively play center forward but spent more time there than he has for a couple of years, key for his trajectory and development. Teemu Pukki is leaving the club this summer, giving Sargent even more opportunity to play center forward next year.

He is happy at Norwich and isn’t likely to leave this summer, despite interest in Germany. Norwich spent around $11 million to sign him and gave him a contract through 2025. He wouldn’t be available for cheap and Bundesliga clubs would struggle to match his salary.

Norwich was thought among the better Championship teams following their relegation from the Premier League but finished 13th. They’ll push again for promotion next season.

Matt Turner
While Turner (and any other goalkeeper) would prefer to be the first choice, a move from Arsenal this summer is unlikely.

Turner, 28, only joined Arsenal at the beginning of this season from the New England Revolution. He made seven appearances for Arsenal, five in the Europa League and two in the FA Cup, as he still awaits his Premier League debut behind No. 1 Aaron Ramsdale.

It will be a similar outlook next season for Turner behind Ramsdale, likely deputizing the cup matches barring injury. Arsenal qualified for the Champions League so there won’t be Europa League games to bank on either.

[tennbengal]

[Rex]

U-20s up 1-0 and impressing again, though I wish they wouldn't play as if it is illegal to score a second goal.

[Nonlinear FC]

And just like that... Another Cade Cowen special. US had turned up the pressure and then a nice passing sequence saw Cade on the end of a pass that put him one-on-one with his defender and he just patiently smacked the ball in the far corner.

I, too, would like this team to stop farting around when they are up 1-0, but putting the pedal down in the 57th minute is pretty reasonable.

Team has yet to concede a goal.

[Rex]

Cade Cowell scores to make it 2-0, immediately puts on sunglasses and a fake mustache, and sprints out of the building.

[Rex]

Cowell has a certain cool in the penalty area that you can't coach, it's like the game slows down for him.

[Nonlinear FC]

I get it, I misspelled his name!



And, yeah, it's like he takes a deep breath right as the ball arrives or as he completes his last slalom and some dude.

[wlu_lax6]

The US got the friendly side of the bracket AND 2 days extra rest compared to their next opponent.

[Nonlinear FC]

Just doing a quick scan... ARG remarkably out at the feet of Nigeria.

US plays the winner of Uruguay v. Gambia on Sunday. I think it's 3p ET, but (weirdly) I'm seeing a few different times listed.

[wlu_lax6]

Nation's League training roster.

New keepers behind Turner due to injuries.

Out for injury are Tyler Adams, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Daryl Dike, Ethan Horvath, Tim Ream, Josh Sargent, Zack Steffen and Malik Tillman.

**************************

GOALKEEPERS (4): Drake Callender (Inter Miami; 0/0), Josh Cohen (Maccabi Haifa/ISR; 0/0), Sean Johnson (Toronto FC/CAN; 12/0), Matt Turner (Arsenal/ENG; 26/0)

DEFENDERS (7): Sergiño Dest (AC Milan/ITA; 24/2), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace/ENG; 8/0), Antonee Robinson (Fulham/ENG; 34/2), Miles Robinson (Atlanta United; 21/3), Joe Scally (Borussia Mönchengladbach/GER; 4/0), Auston Trusty (Birmingham City/ENG; 1/0), Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC; 39/3)

MIDFIELDERS (6): Johnny Cardoso (Internacional/BRA; 6/0), Luca de la Torre (Celta Vigo/ESP; 14/0), Weston McKennie (Leeds United/ENG; 43/11), Yunus Musah (Valencia/ESP; 25/0), Gio Reyna (Borussia Dortmund/GER; 18/4), Alan Soñora (FC Juárez/MEX; 2/0),

FORWARDS (7): Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United/ENG; 30/7), Folarin Balogun (Stade Reims/FRA; 0/0), Taylor Booth (Utrecht/NED; 2/0), Ricardo Pepi (Groningen/NED; 14/6), Christian Pulisic (Chelsea/ENG; 58/23), Tim Weah (Lille/FRA; 29/4), Alex Zendejas (Club América/MEX; 3/1)

[mister d]

Forward group already a level better than what we took to the WC.

[Nonlinear FC]

Interesting* that Gio is listed as a midfielder. Wonder if that means he'll drop into a central role.

* not sarcastic interesting

[wlu_lax6]

Be interesting to see if any of this squad carries over to the Gold Cup. Have to think Turner may roll over as he did not get a huge number of games this year.

[The Sybian]

Be interesting to see if any of this squad carries over to the Gold Cup. Have to think Turner may roll over as he did not get a huge number of games this year.

I would have thought Gold Cup was more prestigious/important than Nations League, no?

[wlu_lax6]

Israel over Brazil in the u20. They get the winner of the us match.

[HaulCitgo]

Ok guess this is where I join the party. Feels more like little league world series than college hoops but well see what your working with

[wlu_lax6]

Caught this from Herc Gomez

[Last time the USYNT made a semifinal in this age group was 1989!

Kasey Keller was the GK (Silver Ball & Golden Gloves) and names like Mike Burns, Chris Henderson, Troy Dayak, Curt Onalfo and player agent Lyle Yorks were on the team. /quote]

[rass]

So this is the first game I’ve watched, but I left the game on to walk the dog and missed the goal. So not my fault.

[tennbengal]

[mister d]

This will upset more than a few people: Berhalter in talks with America

[The Sybian]

This will upset more than a few people: Berhalter in talks with America

Good, let them take him off our hands.

[The Sybian]

Is tomorrow’s game on tv in English anywhere? Listings say TBS or TNT, but my channel guide says only in Spanish. Streaming on Paramount, which I don’t have. I saw it’s on HBO, but is it streaming? I have Max, but not cable HBO.

[A_B]

This will upset more than a few people: Berhalter in talks with America

Would have worked better if his name was Rodgers.

[mister d]

Rogg Berhalter.

[Nonlinear FC]

Is tomorrow’s game on tv in English anywhere? Listings say TBS or TNT, but my channel guide says only in Spanish. Streaming on Paramount, which I don’t have. I saw it’s on HBO, but is it streaming? I have Max, but not cable HBO.

I'm pretty sure it's on CBS Sports.

[A_B]

Is tomorrow’s game on tv in English anywhere? Listings say TBS or TNT, but my channel guide says only in Spanish. Streaming on Paramount, which I don’t have. I saw it’s on HBO, but is it streaming? I have Max, but not cable HBO.

I'm pretty sure it's on CBS Sports.

I think it may be Paramount only. At least that's been a big advertising push I saw. But that may be for driving eyes there and hoping they don't realize it's on CBSSPorts already.

[Nonlinear FC]

Yeah, looking at their channel schedule, they are showing the PAN v. CAN game at 7, but then sailing during the US game.

[The Sybian]

Yeah, looking at their channel schedule, they are showing the PAN v. CAN game at 7, but then sailing during the US game.

Yep, saw PanCan was on CBS Sports. Didn't even know I had that channel. I need to cut the fucking cord already.

[tennbengal]

[Rex]

(Dude voice) That’s fuckin interesting

We do not have a midfielder who does what Lucho does. Is 29, would not get in the way of the U20/Oylympic guys.

[wlu_lax6]

I miss Lucho on DC United. He and Rooney were a great pairing. Bummer DC could not work an extension with him. Not sure he makes my starting 11 or my A roster, but would get some games. Wondered if this helped his MLS roster stuff, but he does not take an international slot today (guess he holds a green card).

[Rex]

He was a one-man team until Rooney arrived, then he became the better half of a two-man team. I’m not sure you could drop him in a lineup with Pulisic and Gio, but there are lots of uses for a guy like this, including lighting a fire under the two aforementioned’s asses

[Nonlinear FC]

Yeah, I'm never going to turn down depth, but we are pretty stacked in the attacking midfield part of the pool right now.

[tennbengal]

Yeah, I'm never going to turn down depth, but we are pretty stacked in the attacking midfield part of the pool right now.

We are, but Rex is right, we do NOT have someone who has Lucho's skillset. He might be an excellent supersub especially if you are down a goal and hunting.