When it comes to the U.S. men’s national team, manager Mauricio Pochettino isn’t exactly working with a blank canvas. The core of the team that reached the knockout stages of the 2022 World Cup remains in place.
But with the 2026 World Cup, which is being co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the U.S., little more than a year away, the Argentine can be forgiven for feeling an urge to erase some parts of the picture while filling in a few additions of his own. That’s what last March’s woeful showing at the Concacaf Nations League, in which the U.S. fell to Panama in the semifinals and Canada in the third-place game, can do to the thought process of a manager. With that display fresh in mind, there might be a growing sense of urgency to look at other options.
Now, Pochettino did engage in a degree of experimentation during the CNL. Real Salt Lake midfielder Diego Luna emerged as a player on the rise, a wild card who can give the U.S. manager more options in attack. Ditto for Charlotte FC forward Patrick Agyemang, with the Vancouver Whitecaps‘ Brian White also getting some looks.
Circumstances, even beyond results, might open the door a bit wider for some additional new blood.
The Concacaf Gold Cup starts next month, and the likes of Timothy Weah and Weston McKennie won’t be available due to Juventus‘ Club World Cup commitments. The same could be true for Giovanni Reyna if he hasn’t yet extracted himself from his Borussia Dortmund purgatory. There are also a pair of friendlies in early June against Turkey and Switzerland to allow Pochettino the chance to bring in some new players.
With that in mind, here are a few potential candidates who have yet to get a look under Pochettino, but have made their case for a call-up and made U.S. Soccer’s 60-man preliminary roster.
Aaronson has filled a variety of roles in Utrecht’s midfield this season, sometimes more withdrawn, and at times more advanced, but usually tilted to the left side of midfield. Regardless, Aaronson’s eight goals and four assists this season have not only helped Utrecht secure a fourth-place finish (good enough to make the qualifying rounds for the UEFA Europa League) but he was recently nominated for the Johan Cruyff Young Talent of the Year award as the Dutch league’s top young player. He’ll head back to Frankfurt next season with a better shot of remaining with the first team.
As for the USMNT, Aaronson’s versatility should stand him in good stead with Pochettino, and McKennie’s presumed absence could create an opening for some playing time. Like everyone on this list, he has made the 60-man provisional roster for the Gold Cup.
Tristan Blackmon | Defender | 28 | Vancouver Whitecaps
Blackmon is something of a late bloomer. He’s a product of the U.S. college system, having played at the University of the Pacific, and started his professional career as a right back with LAFC. He was called up to the USMNT for a January camp in 2021, but an injury prevented him from getting on the field.
