USMNT Bets on the Future but Leaves Key Players Behind as Diego Kochen Enters

American soccer is in one of those weird spots that leaves people scratching their heads. The USMNT squad for September’s friendlies dropped like a bombshell, and not just because Diego Kochen—Barcelona’s rising star—got the call-up. Sure, it’s exciting to see fresh blood, especially when it’s an 18-year-old already under the bright lights of a club like Barça. But hold up… where are our regulars? Where’s Antonee Robinson? Where’s Weston McKennie, Tim Weah, and the tireless Tyler Adams? Adams, okay, we get it—he’s injured. But what about the others? You can’t just ignore their absence like it’s no big deal.

Let’s start with Kochen. When an 18-year-old pops up at Barcelona and starts getting praise from all angles, it’s hard not to get hyped. Diego Kochen is being called a keeper with "a bright future." But what does that really mean? Honestly, time’s the only thing that’ll tell. We’ve seen a long list of “promising” talents who didn’t quite live up to the hype, and we don’t even have to leave Barça to find some examples. Life as a goalie can be brutal, and the pressure of playing for a European giant can either make or break you. So, does Kochen have what it takes to be one of the greats? Maybe. But let’s be real, the road ahead is long.

Follow MLS Multiplex on X (Twitter).

Now, let’s zoom out and talk USMNT. What does this roster reveal about the future of the team? Bringing Kochen into the mix feels like a long-term bet, which isn’t a bad thing by any means. But is now the right time for such bold experiments? I mean, we’re leaving some of our best players out. Antonee Robinson’s been rock-solid in defense, Weston McKennie brings that perfect blend of muscle and finesse in the midfield, and Tim Weah is one of our most dynamic attackers. Not having them on the field? That’s a huge gamble.

And then there’s Tyler Adams. Yeah, he’s got a valid excuse. But still, losing him is a gut punch for the team. Adams is the engine that keeps things ticking in the middle, linking defense and attack, and when he’s not around, you can feel the void. It’s like yanking the glue that holds everything together. Even so, should we really be benching our top talent, especially with Adams out of the picture? Sure, friendlies are important, but they’re not everything. Still, it feels like a risky move to leave so many proven names on the sidelines.

What’s the interim coach thinking with these picks? Is he focusing more on the future than the present? If that’s the case, it kinda makes sense to give young guys like Kochen a shot. But here’s the catch: what if these experiments backfire? The USMNT’s building a solid foundation for the future, but to get there, you’ve gotta have a strong present. And right now, let’s be honest, the present is looking a little shaky.

It’s pretty clear that Kochen’s inclusion raises more questions than answers. This kid could be the next big thing in American soccer, or he might just end up being another player crushed by the weight of expectation. But no matter what happens with him, the absence of Robinson, McKennie, Weah, and Adams leaves a hole in the squad that won’t be easy to fill. And that makes you wonder: what’s the real game plan for these friendlies?

Obviously, leaving these players out couldn’t have been an easy decision. But when you look at the bigger picture, it gets tricky. Robinson and McKennie have been pillars of this team, guys who bring stability and confidence. Weah, with his speed and ability to finish, is always a threat up front. These guys are key pieces of the USMNT puzzle, and benching them makes you question whether the coach is gambling too hard on youth.

Maybe that’s the real question here: are we ready to sacrifice the present for the future? Picking Kochen, as promising as it sounds, carries a big risk. And let’s be real, the USMNT isn’t exactly swimming in convincing wins. We’re still fighting to cement ourselves as a force on the global stage, and that takes balance. We need experienced players who know how to handle pressure and can guide the younger ones. Without that, we risk stalling out, or worse, backsliding.

Sure, there’s always the argument that friendlies are the perfect time to test new talent. But when those tests mean sidelining players who’ve already proven their worth, things get more complicated. Wouldn’t it be smarter to find some middle ground? Integrate promising youngsters alongside our best players instead of flat-out replacing them? That seems like a safer approach, one that lets us develop new talent without sacrificing experience.