In our previous discussion, we touched upon the often inflated significance of formations in soccer. With the U.S. Men’s National Team’s last game being nearly three months ago and team preparation methods now seemingly irrelevant, there is a tangible chance that coach Mauricio Pochettino might opt for a different strategy for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, kicking off on June 12 when the U.S. faces Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
What does this suggest, particularly when considering that Pochettino’s most successful teams, like the one from Tottenham Hotspur that reached the UEFA Champions League final in 2019, typically deployed four defenders? As he pointed out in his first pre-match press conference against the U.S. in October 2024, Pochettino prides himself on being pragmatic.
“People often say, ‘This is my philosophy, and I will stick to it,'” he mentioned. “That’s not me. I wish to adapt, be intelligent, and achieve success. I have no plans of becoming stagnant.”
Utilizing a formation with three center-backs and two wing-backs could effectively leverage the talent at Pochettino’s disposal next summer. This sentiment is echoed by my colleagues at FOX, former World Cup teammates Stu Holden and Alexi Lalas, indicating a shared belief that this approach might yield positive results.
The success of this strategy might hinge on Anthony “Jedi” Robinson’s health, but it could also offer advantages—such as providing more defensive support through 38-year-old captain Tim Ream. This setup would allow Pochettino to keep the emerging partnership between Alex Freeman and Sergiño Dest on the right side, enabling both to push forward more confidently.
As the U.S. prepares for its last two matches before finalizing the World Cup roster in late March against Belgium and Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal in Atlanta, new insights will emerge before and after these games. For now, I’ll outline my predictions for the final 26-player squad and the starting eleven against Paraguay.
Goalkeeper
(Photo credit: Liza Morales/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)
Starter: Matt Freeze
Backup: Matt Turner, Patrick Schuldt
Just Missed: Chris Brady, Roman Celentano, Ethan Horvath, Jonathan Klinsmann, Diego Kochen, Zach Steffen
With the exception of Klinsmann and Cohen (Horvath played for the New York Red Bulls last month), these names are mainly from MLS, and the early weeks of the 2026 season will be pivotal for goalkeepers. (It’s unfortunate that Freeze’s NYCFC and Turner’s New England Revolution won’t square off until August.) While conventional wisdom suggests all three World Cup picks will likely emerge from domestic leagues, it’s notable that Klinsmann has played every game for Cesena in Italy’s Serie B this season and participated in two of the last three U.S. camps in 2025.
Center Back
(Photo by Shaun Brooks – CameraSport, Getty Images)
Starter: Chris Richards, Tim Ream, Alex Freeman
Backup: Noakai Banks, Mark McKenzie, Miles Robinson
Just Missed: Tristan Blackmon, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Auston Trusty, Walker Zimmerman
Competition is high in this area. Freeman has just debuted in La Liga with Villarreal, while Richards has made seven consecutive starts for Crystal Palace after recovering from a foot issue. U.S. assistants observed Ream’s preseason match against Sporting Kansas City on January 31st.
McKenzie remains a key player for Toulouse, and 19-year-old Banks is solidifying his claim for the World Cup with each Bundesliga match for Augsburg. Trusty has rebounded recently at Celtic, where he’s helping to anchor the defense as they maintain good form with a 4-0-1 streak.
Wing Back
(Photo credit: Kevin Senders/Marcel ter Bals/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images)
Starter: Sergiño Dest, Anthony “Jedi” Robinson
Backup: Tim Weah, Max Alfsten
Just Missed: Joe Scully, John Tolkien, Christopher Rand
Dest is known for his unpredictability, while Weah tends to play a more traditional role. Dest had a strong showing for the national team last year while Weah was sidelined with an injury. Jedi has established himself as a reliable choice when fit, though concerns arise as he missed Fulham’s last two Premier League matches, including an away game against Manchester City.
Alfsten, filling in for Jedi, has gained significant recognition since 2025, leading in assists as part of the national team. Scully has struggled lately, even being omitted from Gladbach’s squad after scoring an own goal in a recent match.
Midfield Retention
(Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)
Starter: Tyler Adams, Tanner Tessman
Backup: Sebastian Berhalter, Cristian Roldan
Just Missed: Johnny Cardoso, Gianluca Busio, Luca de la Torre, Aidan Morris, Yunus Musah, Timmy Tillman
Adams has made a return from a torn MCL he suffered in December, which is a positive sign for Bournemouth. He played as a substitute in Tuesday’s 2-1 victory over Everton, but Pochettino likely hopes he won’t rush back too soon.
Tessman is having a standout season in Lyon, consistently playing nearly 2,000 minutes across competitions this season. Roldan and Berhalter, who have been away since last year, remain above Cardoso (who is injured at Atlético Madrid) and Musah (who saw limited play for Atalanta in 2025/26) during winter selections. The MLS pair had notable performances last fall against Australia and Uruguay, moving into the new season with Vancouver and the Seattle Sounders respectively.
Morris, a key player for promotion-seeking Middlesbrough, is poised to contend for the last central midfield slot. The 24-year-old was pivotal in last year’s win over Uruguay, making it likely he will be in the running.
Attacking Midfielder
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Starter: Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie
Backup: Brenden Aaronson, Diego Luna, Malik Tillman, Alex Zendejas
Just Missed: Gio Reyna
Unless unforeseen circumstances arise, Pulisic and McKennie, arguably the standout players on the team, are obvious picks. Aaronson’s impressive recent performances for Leeds have certainly caught Pochettino’s attention. Meanwhile, Zendejas recently made a remarkable comeback, scoring a fantastic goal for Club America after an injury setback.
Despite earlier issues that led to a game withdrawal due to new symptoms, he has surpassed Reyna, who is sidelined indefinitely with a “muscle problem” currently affecting his chances of being selected for the World Cup squad due to limited playtime this season.
Meanwhile, Luna is set to kick off the new MLS season for Real Salt Lake on February 21st.
Striker
(Photo by Jon Hobley/MI News/NurPhoto, Getty Images)
Starter: Folarin Balogun
Backup: Ricardo Pepi, Patrick Agyeman
Just Missed: Hadji Wright, Damion Downs, Brian White, Josh Sargent
Despite a promising start to the season for the strikers, the U.S. World Cup opener is now less than four months away. Balogun continues to represent Monaco in the top tier, although he has only scored once in nine outings this season. He has, however, previously demonstrated his capability by scoring in three consecutive UEFA Champions League matches and three of the final five matches for the U.S. in 2025.
Pepi has largely been absent due to injuries in the past year, but recovery from a broken arm sustained while playing for PSV should result in fitness for a friendly in March.
If both stay healthy, they will likely be Pochettino’s primary choices. However, Agyeman is gaining momentum, having netted three in five games for Derby County and totaling nine for the season, just one short of Wright.
Editorial Take: This news is crucial for soccer enthusiasts as it signals a potential shift in strategy that could redefine the U.S. Men’s National Team’s approach to competition. A successful World Cup run with a cohesive and adaptable lineup could inspire a new generation of soccer talent in the country.
