Mauricio Pochettino launched his tenure as the national team manager by selecting 27 players for a pivotal training camp before June's friendlies against Turkey and Switzerland, which will likely set the stage for the team he brings to the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup.
While most of the attention will focus on tournament play, the upcoming friendlies will be a vital chance for the Argentine coach to assess players and apply his strategies against World Cup-level competition and generate momentum for the Gold Cup.
The players picked by Pochettino combine experience and youth and include some unexpected additions. And if there's a message from looking at the list, it's that everyone needs to justify their place in the 2026 World Cup picture.
Let’s break down the major talking points from the squad announcement, key battles to watch during the June window, and spotlight which players could emerge as breakout stars or leading figures as the team builds toward major tournaments in 2025 and 2026.
Key Veteran Inclusions:
- Chris Richards (Crystal Palace) – Richards' understanding of the game enables him to anticipate opponents' movements and make critical interceptions. His composure under pressure and ability to distribute the ball effectively from the back contribute to the team's transition from defence to attack.
- Sergiño Dest (PSV Eindhoven) – Dest's adaptability allows him to operate effectively on both flanks, providing the USMNT with valuable options in various tactical setups. His right- and left-back position proficiency enables the team to adjust formations and respond to different in-game scenarios.
- Matt Turner (Crystal Palace) is likely the No. 1 goalkeeper, though his club minutes have been tough to come by.
- Tim Ream (Charlotte FC) – The experienced center back provides calmness and leadership in a transitional back line.
- Tyler Adams (Bournemouth) – If fit, a midfield destroyer and vocal leader, pivotal for balance and pressing.
Notable Youth and Breakout Candidates:
- Alex Freeman (Orlando City) – Freeman has emerged as a dynamic fullback for Orlando City in 2025, showcasing impressive speed, aerial ability, and offensive contributions. His consistent performances, including goals and assists, have positioned him as a promising candidate for the USMNT's right-back position, potentially providing depth and competition in that role.
- Quinn Sullivan (Philadelphia Union) – Sullivan enjoyed a breakout season in 2024, recording five goals and 11 assists. His versatility allows him to operate effectively as an attacking midfielder or winger. With a strong soccer lineage and youth international experience, Sullivan is poised to contribute creativity and adaptability to the USMNT's attacking options.
- Sabastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps) – Berhalter has become a key figure for the Vancouver Whitecaps, delivering standout performances that include three goals and two assists in the CONCACAF Champions Cup. His box-to-box capabilities and improved passing and defensive metrics make him a strong candidate for the USMNT midfield, offering energy and tactical awareness.
- Damion Downs (FC Köln) – Downs has been in excellent form for 1. FC Köln, tallying nine goals and five assists in 21 games. His physical presence and goal-scoring ability make him an intriguing option for the USMNT's striker role, especially amid injuries to other forwards. Though he has represented Germany at the U20 level, his eligibility for the U.S. keeps him on the radar for national team selection.
What the Friendlies Against Turkey and Switzerland Mean
While these games won’t have the stakes of a competitive tournament, they matter deeply in terms of team building, tactical integration, and psychological cohesion.
Pochettino will use these friendlies to:
- Evaluate how players respond to his system.
- Experiment with formation tweaks, such as a high-pressing 4-3-3 or fluid 3-4-2-1.
- Test combinations in midfield and central defense, areas that have lacked consistency.
- Observe who thrives under international pressure, even in a friendly context.
The quality of opposition — Turkey, a technically sound team from Europe, and Switzerland, a compact and disciplined side with tournament pedigree — will provide real litmus tests. These games are not about results as much as they are about player intelligence, tactical adaptability, and energy.
Breakout Star Prediction: Damion Downs
Every national team cycle introduces new heroes — young players who seize the moment and rise from relative obscurity to integral roles. This camp is fertile ground for several talents to make their mark, but one name stands out. The 20-year-old FC Koln striker is ready to explode on the international stage. Known for his electric acceleration, ability to beat defenders one-on-one, and intelligent positioning, Downs has quietly improved in the German 2. Bundesliga. Under Pochettino, a coach who loves width and vertical penetration, Downs could become a perfect weapon.
He’s also tactically versatile — comfortable as a lone striker or coming from both wings, which gives him an edge if the team experiments with 4-3-3 systems. If he gets meaningful minutes against Turkey and Switzerland, watch for him to score chances, win fouls, and potentially even notch a few assists.
The Senior Player to Watch: Sergino Dest
While Pochettino may not want to build the team solely around one player, there’s no denying that Dest remains the most intriguing member of this squad.
Now 24, he’s entering his peak years and is coming off the high of recovering from a long-term injury in time to help PSV Eindhoven rally to become Eredivisie as champions.
Dest is one of the most attacking-minded fullbacks in the USMNT pool. His dribbling ability makes him comfortable taking on defenders 1v1, which often creates overloads on the flanks. His ability to combine in tight spaces and find runners adds unpredictability in the final third. Another weapon in his arsenal is his dangerous delivery from wide areas when cutting in or overlapping.
Dest’s natural position is right back. However, playing left back in the inverted role allows him to cut inside onto his stronger right foot. This flexibility is invaluable in tournament play, where squad rotation and tactical adaptability are key. And it could come into play with Antonee Robinson not in the squad.
In a Gold Cup setting, where the U.S. will likely dominate possession against lower-block defenses, Dest’s ability to unlock tight games could be the difference-maker. He’s not just a defender — he’s a playmaker from the back.
Tactical Notes: What Pochettino Might Be Trying
While it’s too early to say exactly how the team will look under Pochettino next year at the World Cup, reports from earlier camps and matches suggest he’s implementing some of his trademark principles:
- High pressing in a 4-3-3, with emphasis on counter-pressing immediately after losing possession.
- Overloads in wide areas, using fullbacks and wingers to stretch defenses.
- Midfield triangles, creating dynamic rotations among the No. 6, No. 8, and attacking midfielder.
- Ball retention with vertical purpose, focusing on direct but controlled buildup.
In this camp, this style could favor players like Tyler Adams, Luca de la Torre, and Brenden Aaronson in midfield, as well as Haji Wright and Folarin Balogun in advanced roles. Pochettino also values mental intensity and fitness, so players lacking sharpness may be phased out quickly.
Looking Ahead to the 2025 Gold Cup and 2026 World Cup
The Gold Cup in June will serve as Pochettino’s first real tournament test, and June’s camp will heavily influence who makes that final squad.
The 2026 World Cup, hosted on home soil, remains the ultimate prize. From now until then, every camp carries weight. The players called up this summer will form the core leadership group — or at least the initial building blocks — for what Pochettino hopes will be a deep, resilient, and fearless World Cup squad.
Pochettino’s appointment originally brought renewed energy and optimism to a fan base eager to see the national team reach its potential. But now there's increased pressure following the debacle in March at the Concacaf Nations League semifinals and third-place match.
This 27-player roster reflects that Pochettino won't let said pressure impact his balanced approach — respect for experience, hunger for talent, and commitment to tactical innovation.