Mauricio Pochettino‘s United States men’s national team has been unveiled, and the group of 23 is a mix of proven regulars and fresh faces. They’ll face Panama on March 20 at SoFi Stadium, hoping to defend the Concacaf Nations League title.
Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, and Timothy Weah are all in. So is Tyler Adams, who is returning after injuries that kept him out since Copa América. Gio Reyna’s back too. Despite limited minutes at Borussia Dortmund, Pochettino insisted Reyna is ready, saying, “He’s deserved to be here. He’s improving, but he can still do better. We need to push him.”
The roster includes six players who starred in January camp. Diego Luna, who left a lasting impression with a gutsy performance against Costa Rica, was a standout selection. “Big balls,” Pochettino said of Luna’s refusal to leave the field after taking an elbow to the face. It’s no shock that Pochettino wants to see more of that fighting spirit in matches with a trophy.
Pochettino is trying to fit the pieces together
Some big names were left out. Brenden Aaronson missed this call, and the coach was frank about that. “It’s a numbers game,” he said. The same applied to Alejandro Zendejas, as Pochettino weighed positional needs against the constraint of 23 spots. He made clear there’s still a future for every player who missed out: “Sometimes it’s not only about performance, it’s about balance and how you connect the characteristics of the players.”
Injuries to strikers Folarin Balogun and Ricardo Pepi forced Pochettino to test the depth up top. Josh Sargent, who has eight goals in his past eight matches for Norwich City, appears set for a leading role. Brian White and Patrick Agyemang both earned spots after catching Pochettino’s eye in January.
At the back, Tim Ream remains a veteran pillar in central defense, while Crystal Palace teammates Chris Richards and Matt Turner bring stability. Sergiño Dest wasn’t deemed ready after a long injury layoff, so Joe Scally is likely to handle more minutes out wide.
This Nations League window offers a critical chance to lift silverware. Pochettino summed it up neatly: “We must continue to show our quality, our bravery, and our commitment to each other. We have an important moment to represent our country and our supporters, and we are very excited for this opportunity.”
With every position battle heating up, the USMNT will need to adjust quickly to the manager’s approach. Pochettino wants an attacking style that demands high work rates and swift transitions. He’s shown that he’s willing to expand the player pool, but only for those who match his appetite for bold, energetic play.
Now, all eyes turn to Los Angeles. Another Nations League trophy is within reach, but only if these 23 prove they can meet Pochettino’s expectations on the biggest stage.
