Malik Tillman shone brightly for numerous U.S. men’s national team players based in Europe following the completion of the first round of the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League on Wednesday. While this is a positive sign for World Cup qualification, the challenge to earn a spot in Mauricio Pochettino’s 26-man squad is intense.
With less than two months to go before the U.S. friendlies against strong European teams Belgium and Portugal in Atlanta at the end of March, here’s an update on how some of the nation’s leading players have been performing with their respective clubs.
On the Rise
Weston McKennie, Midfielder, Juventus
McKennie is enjoying the best season of his career at Juventus. His streak of scoring in three consecutive Champions League matches ended with a draw against Monaco, but he received praise from manager Luciano Spalletti. McKennie’s father shared on social media that his son was happier than ever, crediting Spalletti for his excellent form.
Brenden Aaronson, Midfielder/Forward, Leeds United
If anyone is shining brighter than McKennie right now, it might be Aaronson. The 25-year-old was named man of the match in Leeds’ last outing, managing three goals and one assist during his seven consecutive starts. Pochettino’s coaching staff took notice when chief assistant Jesus Perez watched him in action against Fulham.
Patrick Agyeman, Striker, Derby County
Agyeman continues to impress at Derby County, netting two goals and one assist in his last three league games. Since joining from Charlotte FC in August, he has scored eight goals in 25 matches.
Noakai Banks, Centre-Back, Augsburg
The 19-year-old Banks had a strong run, starting 13 Bundesliga games before missing Augsburg’s recent win over Bayern Munich due to yellow card accumulation. If he returns to form, he will likely be considered for a March invitation, especially with the lack of depth in the center-back position for the U.S. team.
Johnny Cardoso, Midfielder, Atletico Madrid
Limited by injuries at the start of the season, Cardoso has found his rhythm recently. He has started the last two La Liga matches, both resulting in victories, and celebrated his first full 90 minutes back in Atletico’s Copa del Rey win against Deportivo La Coruña.
Tim Weah, Forward/Wingback, Marseille
Weah is hitting his stride, contributing both goals and assists in Marseille’s recent Ligue 1 matches. U.S. assistant coach D’Agostino will be observing Weah’s performance closely this Saturday.
Mark McKenzie, Centre-Back, Toulouse
While some MLS defenders remain inactive, McKenzie is seeing regular playing time in France, logging solid minutes in Toulouse’s matches. He played the full 90 in six out of seven games recently and provided an assist in a recent 2-0 win.
Aidan Morris, Midfielder, Middlesbrough
Morris has been a vital presence at Middlesbrough, with an impressive performance record in his 23 Championship matches. His defensive contributions are a key reason the team is on track for promotion to the Premier League.
Malik Tillman, Midfielder/Forward, Bayer Leverkusen
Despite not scoring since November, Tillman’s recent Champions League performance, where he netted two goals, has caught the attention of Pochettino’s staff as he helped his team advance.
Pepi, Striker, PSV Eindhoven
Pepi is currently sidelined with a broken arm, but his injury might lead to a potential transfer to Fulham before the deadline. While he’s out until March, there is pressure on PSV to negotiate a deal if the offer is substantial.
Haji Wright, Striker, Coventry City
Wright has made an impact by scoring consecutive winning goals for Coventry City, ending the team’s long scoring drought.
Struggling
Damion Downs, Striker, Hamburg
Downs has faced challenges since last season, failing to score in 17 games across two clubs. While the 20-year-old had a successful campaign helping Cologne gain promotion, his current struggles may push his World Cup aspirations to the 2030 cycle.
Yunus Moussa, Midfielder, Atalanta
Moussa has yet to find his form at Atalanta after joining on loan from AC Milan. He has played less than 700 minutes this season, with limited influence following a sending-off in his latest match.
James Sands, Midfielder, St. Pauli
Sands has been a reliable player for St. Pauli, logging around 2,000 minutes, but he’s in a crowded midfield and might struggle to secure a World Cup roster spot.
Josh Sargent, Striker, Norwich City
Sargent, still at Norwich City, is hoping to make a move to Toronto FC before the transfer window closes. Until then, he risks falling further behind in the race for World Cup qualification.
Gio Reyna, Midfielder, Borussia Mönchengladbach
Reyna had struggles at club level recently, making minimal appearances since the winter break. Despite prior productivity, he needs to rekindle his form to make an impact.
Anthony “Jedi” Robinson, Right-Back, Fulham
Robinson has returned from injury but appears to be fatigued. Although he has started in several matches since his comeback, he didn’t perform well recently when subbed off shortly into a game.
Auston Trusty, Centre-Back, Celtic
Trusty has been getting regular minutes at Celtic but is part of a team struggling with consistency, evidenced by a red card during a recent match against Hearts.
Fan Take: This news is significant for soccer fans because it highlights the evolving landscape of U.S. talent in prominent European leagues, which is crucial as the national team gears up for upcoming competitions. As these players continue to develop and make headlines, it could signal a new era for U.S. soccer, amplifying their presence on the world stage.
