Which players could Mauricio Pochettino leverage to change USMNT's fortunes?

It's official: Mauricio Pochettino will lead the U. S. Men's National Team into its home World Cup in 2026. Pochettino is a world-renowned coach famous for his stints with Spurs, PSG and Chelsea. The USMNT couldn't have asked for a better leader.

Signing Pochettino was a coup, but beyond him, things aren't all that rosy in American soccer. Two friendlies this past week resulted in zero wins and many bruised egos for the team. Pochettino has quite the task on his hands — to sort through the current, former and potential future players of the USMNT to figure out who is capable of being in his best 11.

Here's where Pochettino might want to look as he builds out his first squad:

Goalkeeper

Matt Turner has been the USMNT's undisputed number one for years now, but he's not getting regular play in the Premier League anymore —Tuesday night's game against New Zealand was his first competitive start in months.

It may be time for Pochettino to use Patrick Schulte instead. Schulte conceded the fewest goals of any keeper in MLS in 2024 and while he still has room for improvement, that improvement could well come from increased exposure with the USMNT.

If Schulte isn't the answer, Pochettino might also want to consider Gabriel Slonina. The 20-year-old, currently at Barnsley on loan from Chelsea, has much to learn, but could be the next big thing in American goalkeeping.

Defense

Central defense is a rough area for the USMNT. Fulham's Antonee Robinson is a clear starter when fit, but he's struggled to build chemistry with anyone other than his former Fulham teammate Tim Ream (who is great, but will be 38 by the time the next World Cup rolls around). Ream deputy Chris Richards has looked shaky for the USMNT; Pochettino might consider turning to FC Cincinnati's Miles Robinson instead. He's had a strong year under coach Pat Noonan and, at 27, is right in the sweet spot of his development cycle.

The USMNT is well covered on the right side of defense, but the left has left something to be desired in recent matches. If Pochettino wants energy and grit from that position, he should consider swapping out Kristoffer Lund for John Tolkin of the New York Red Bulls. Tolkin had an excellent Olympic tournament for the U-23s and is hungry for a chance to break into the senior squad.

Midfield

The Musah-McKennie-Adams trio led the USMNT through 2022 World Cup qualifying, but signs are starting to point to that triangle breaking ahead of 2026. Musah looked well off the pace Tuesday night against New Zealand before being hooked at halftime in favor of Celta Vigo's Luca de la Torre, while McKennie and Adams have struggled mightily with injury woes since getting their big breaks.

Enter Middlesbrough's Aidan Morris, who came up under Wilfried Nancy at the Columbus Crew but moved to Middlesbrough this summer to challenge himself. Morris looks like a natural fit in the USMNT midfield and, at just 22, has plenty of growth ahead of him.

Attack

The USMNT has no shortage of strikers and wingers, but in a world where precious few of them have stepped up and staked their claim on a starting position, Pochettino might want to look at PSV's Ricardo Pepi . Famously dropped by Gregg Berhalter in advance of the 2022 World Cup, Pepi is a workhorse of the highest order and he's looked more dangerous and industrious than any of his competitors in recent weeks.

The USMNT will return to action against Panama on Saturday, Oct. 12.