For most USMNT European stars, 2025 summer transfers would be awful timing

With the 2026 World Cup less than a year away, it’s no secret that this is a big summer for the U.S. men's national team.

Many unproven players are trying to earn a spot on the World Cup roster. Meanwhile, many of the USMNT’s European-based players are contemplating moves during the summer transfer window to position them to play and succeed in next summer’s World Cup.

But word to the wise, this summer may not be the best time to search for a new club.

All about playing time

To be fair, there are some players who are desperately in need of a change of scenery. But for everyone else, a transfer one year before the World Cup is risky. The vast majority should stick with their current clubs and re-evaluate their club situation next summer after the World Cup.

The reason? It's all about playing time.

Mauricio Pochettino made it clear earlier this year that playing time and form at the club level will be critical in deciding player selection. Obviously, a player’s skillset, international track record and experience are still factors. Nevertheless, Pochettino has made it known that club performance counts most of all.

"For me, the most important factor [in calling up a player] is how they are performing in their club," Pochettino told ESPN in January. "It's true that we have different situations in which maybe they don't play too much in their club. But we consider it before calling them up because they are important for the group. They perform here, even if they don't play too much."

The grass isn’t always greener

With that in mind, it’d be foolish for a player who’s in a favorable situation at his club to leave a year before the World Cup. While a new club brings a new opportunity and new possibilities, it also brings uncertainty. Why would a player risk a transfer to a bigger club if it could reduce their playing time or cause a drop in form?

Josh Sargent is a prime example of this. After scoring 15 goals in 30 appearances across all competitions for Norwich this past season, the 25-year-old could be ready for a move to the Premier League and has been linked to Leeds United, which would be a big step in the right direction.

But if the goals don’t come as easily in the Premier League or Sargent struggles to earn playing time with Dutch striker Joël Piroe providing competition, where does that leave him heading into the World Cup? Sargent’s standing with Pochettino and the national team could easily be hurt if he moves to Leeds and things don’t work out.

Several other USMNT players are in a similar situation. Johnny Cardoso has been linked with a move to Atletico Madrid. Malik Tillman is reportedly linked to big clubs after a breakout season with PSV Eindhoven. These players could potentially be key figures for the U.S. next summer. At the same time, their spot on the team is a little more tenuous than players like Christian Pulisic or Tyler Adams. Therefore, they may not be able to hang onto a spot on the team if their playing time or form at the club level sees a significant drop.

On top of wanting to help the USMNT succeed, the World Cup can also be used by players as a showcase. There are countless examples of players who shined at a World Cup and were able to quickly parlay that into a high-profile transfer at the club level. 

That is a distinct possibility for several American players after next year’s World Cup. However, it will require patience and discipline to pass on a transfer opportunity this summer to ensure they are in the best position possible to excel on the world’s biggest stage next summer.

Gio, Turner the exceptions

The bottom line is that playing time at the club level is the most important thing between now and the World Cup. That is what will best get Pochettino’s attention, not to mention put players in good form and the best mindset heading into the World Cup. There are some players, most notably Gio Reyna and Matt Turner, who need to seek the right transfer to find playing time.

The former has been given permission to seek a new club by Borussia Dortmund with a year left on his contract, and could even conceivably end up in MLS. The latter has been limited to non-league appearances only for Crystal Palace and has only started one of the USMNT's three June matches after being the clear No. 1 for most of Pochettino's early tenure.

However, for players who don’t have a problem getting regular minutes or contributing to their team, the best move is to stay put. With consistent play at the club level, there will always be new transfer opportunities for quality players to work their way up the ladder. If playing in the 2026 World Cup is a priority for players, there is no sense in rushing those decisions and risking regular playing time and form becoming an issue before the World Cup. Unless lack of playing time is an issue, now isn't the time for USMNT players to be pursuing a transfer.