GOAL breaks down what the new coach's second U.S. XI could look like as they take on Mexico in Guadalajara
GUADALAJARA, Mexico – No matter what decisions or changes U.S. manager Mauricio Pochettino has up his sleeve, we can guarantee that the U.S. men's national team he assembles to face Mexico will be vastly different than the one he put on the pitch for a 2-0 debut win over Panama Saturday night.
Recent developments will require it.
Christian Pulisic has left camp. So, too, has Weston McKennie. Goalscorer Ricardo Pepi is gone, too, joining the likes of Tyler Adams, Chris Richards, Tim Weah and Gio Reyna – none of whom made it camp because of injuries – in watching this game from Europe. No replacements have been named. Pochettino is heading into Guadalajara with what he has.
He'll feel that he has enough, despite all of the absences. Even if it isn't, Tuesday's visit to the Estadio Akron will be a good experience for him and his staff. These are the types of games that can truly show you who a player is and – with the host US squad having already qualified for the 2026 World Cup – those games are hard to come by.
So, given the limited options, who will Pochettino go with? Which players are in a good position to make an impact as the U.S. play at Mexico for the first time in a dozen years? GOAL takes a look.
Getty Images SportGK: Matt Turner
Big decision here, especially considering the atmosphere. If you were going to start Patrick Schulte in one of these games, the Panama one probably would have made more sense, as tossing him into the fire in Mexico is a big ask.
Maybe that's what Pochettino wants: to see what Schulte can do in a hostile stadium. Or perhaps he just wants to use this camp to evaluate the incumbent, Turner. We'll lean towards the latter, as Turner is given another chance to prove himself before heading back to backup duties at Crystal Palace.
AdvertisementGettyLB: Antonee Robinson
This is an easy one. If Robinson is fit, he'll start. if he isn't, Kristoffer Lund will. When healthy, Robinson will start just about every game possible in a USMNT shirt.
Getty Images SportCB: Mark McKenzie
He was U.S. Soccer's Man of the Match against Panama so, if he's feeling fit, he'll get another look.
The Panama game was McKenzie's best so far in a USMNT shirt, although he was solid against New Zealand last camp, too, before his own goal, which really wasn't his fault. The Toulouse defender is really pushing for a starting spot, but this will be his biggest test yet. If he passes, he'll be on his way.
Getty Images SportCB: Auston Trusty
Tim Ream could start again but, realistically, everyone, including Pochettino, knows who he is and where he stands. Trusty, though? That's still a bit of a mystery.
Trusty hasn't actually played for the USMNT since June 23. In the year and a half since, he went to the Premier League, played a whole season with Sheffield United and completed another move to Scottish giants Celtic. The Trusty in this camp is very different than the one that last played in 2023. Now's his chance to show it.
