U.S. Men's National Team head coach Mauricio Pochettino announced a 23-man roster for the Concacaf Nations League semi-finals later in March. The USMNT will take on Panama on Thursday, March 20, looking to win the tournament for a fourth-consecutive year.
USMNT Nations League roster (Club - Caps/Goals)
GOALKEEPERS (3): Patrick Schulte (Columbus Crew – 3/0), Zack Steffen (Colorado Rapids – 30/0), Matt Turner (Crystal Palace – 49/0)
DEFENDERS (8): Cameron Carter-Vickers (Celtic – 18/0), Marlon Fossey (Standard Liege – 1/0), Mark McKenzie (Toulouse – 17/0), Tim Ream (Charlotte FC – 67/1), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace – 23/1), Antonee Robinson (Fulham – 50/4), Joe Scally (Borussia Mönchengladbach – 19/0), Auston Trusty (Celtic – 4/0)
MIDFIELDERS (6): Tyler Adams (Bournemouth – 42/2), Johnny Cardoso (Real Betis – 18/0), Diego Luna (Real Salt Lake – 3/0), Weston McKennie (Juventus – 58/11), Gio Reyna (Borussia Dortmund – 31/8), Tanner Tessmann (Olympique Lyon – 6/0)
FORWARDS (6): Patrick Agyemang (Charlotte FC – 2/2), Yunus Musah (AC Milan – 45/1), Christian Pulisic (AC Milan – 76/32), Josh Sargent (Norwich City – 27/5), Timothy Weah (Juventus – 42/7), Brian White (Vancouver Whitecaps – 3/1)
A strong MLS contingent
Six MLS players made the cut, with Diego Luna (Real Salt Lake) and Brian White (Vancouver Whitecaps) particularly surprising. Along with Charlotte FC's Patrick Agyemang, they could make their USMNT debuts in an official FIFA match.
Brian White has been a standout goalscorer, with his 35 goals since joining the Vancouver Whitecaps in 2021 leading all American strikers in MLS. He scored 15 times for the 'Caps in 2024. Similarly, Diego Luna has been one of the more exciting young playmakers in MLS with Real Salt Lake, and finally gets a callup to the senior team after rumors of Mexican interest after he wasn't called up to the Olympic team last summer.
Competition in midfield?
Midfielder Tyler Adams is enjoying a breakout campaign with Bournemouth in the Premier League. After finally recovering from a lengthy injury, the former New York Red Bull has made 18 appearances in the Premier League for the surprise 9th-place side, locking down a starting spot in midfield since November.
Similarly, Weston McKennie has once again made himself an incredibly valuable piece of Juventus's plans after seemingly heading for an exit. He's in the midst of a career-best campaign, making 34 appearances and scoring five goals in all competitions.
But could there be competition for places? Tanner Tessmann and Johnny Cardoso are in good form themselves, with the latter linked to the Premier League. It might be a stretch to see either beat out McKennie or Adams, but they have firmly separated themselves from the rest of the fringe midfielders.
Trouble at the back
The USMNT's center back corps is one of the weakest in recent memory. Tim Ream, who turned 37 last October, looks set to hold down a starting spot, despite playing as a left back for Charlotte. There's no clear competition for him, with Chris Richards, Mark McKenzie or Cameron Carter-Vickers likely to fight it out for the other spot.
There aren't a ton of other center-backs banging down the door to break into the national team picture, with Walker Zimmerman moved out of the picture post 2022 and other MLS standouts like Andrew Privett or Jackson Ragen not able to get a look. With just over a year until the World Cup, there almost certainly won't be a late push into the squad.
A new-look striker group
With Folarin Balogun and Ricardo Pepi injured, Josh Sargent is the incumbent starter. He's been in fantastic form for Norwich City in the English Championship, bagging 12 goals in 24 matches, and is fully capable of producing at the international level.
With Brandon Vázquez not getting a look, it's down to Brian White and Patrick Agyemang to back him up. The two have been among the most dynamic strikers in MLS, with Agyemang especially looking like a prime candidate for a move to Europe in the near future. Can either of them stake a claim for more involvement with a fully healthy roster?
