It’s almost time for the semi-finals of the CONCACAF NATIONS league, where Mauricio Pockettino will have his first chance to win the trophy as manager of the US men’s team. He will not be able to take advantage of his entire first-choice squad with injuries that will lint up players like Sergino Desty, Antony Robinson and Foralin Balogun from the side, but that doesn’t mean that Pockettino doesn’t have the rich talent he can use when he’s with Panama on ET on Paramentaum+ on March 20th at 7pm.
After winning the tournament three times in a row, pressure is underway to keep the USMNT running as preparations continue for the 2026 World Cup. With the Club World Cup happening in the same window as the Gold Cup this summer, this is important every minute as Pockettino is the last window of competition for some time with some of these players.
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Find out about his 23 rosters to join the Nations League. While famous names like Brenden Arson and Alex Zendejas were left behind, Pockettino still has a deep team.
Goalkeeper
Patrick Schulte
CLB•G•#28
Patrick Schulte, who takes his chances at the Olympics and camp in January, is someone to look to. Through the Columbus crew system, Schulte could be the trio’s best at making attacks from behind, and as he has more experience, he could become the starting goalkeeper at the 2026 World Cup.
Zach Steffen
col•g•#1
Previously he had missed the radar due to form and his own injuries, but it was easy to forget that Zach Steffen was effectively number one for years. After returning to the camp fold in January, he joins the mix for the start role if something becomes cheated.
Matt Turner
US•G•#1
One of the team’s most experienced players is Matt Turner, not Crystal Palace’s starting goalkeeper, but he’s always ready when asked to represent the national team. This is Turner’s second chance to start online in the Nations League final after leading USMNT at the 2022 World Cup.
Defender
Max Alfsten, the only natural left remaining on the roster, may have been added late to this roster, but Pockettino will play with the natural back four. Columbus crew plays a key role. Can be manipulated as a winger, he is not embarrassed to move forward, and Pockettino likes a fullback that can attack.
Cameron Carter Bickers
CEL•D•#20
As a stubborn Celtic, you know what you’re trying to get from the Cameron Carter Vickers. The Carter Bickers are able to play in the back three while providing a strong presence in the air, and have a high level of experience enough to make up for the lack of pace with strong positioning.
He won his first cap under Mikey Barras facing New Zealand, this is Marlon Fossey’s first camp under Pockettino. He brings a different look to Joe Scally as he plays more comfortable in the offensive third third place, but he also has plenty to prove to drive the role of the start.
Mark McKenzie
TFC•D•#3
After moving to Toulouse, France, Mark Mackenzie was working well in the next step, and always felt like someone who could become an international-level centre if given a consistent opportunity. He’s currently receiving some of them, but Chris Richards is currently in camp. You start to see how the center back depth chart sways.
Tim Ream
CLT•D•#3
Although he shows no signs of slowdown, Tim Leam continues to hold a solid performance while waiting for him to scream that he deserves his first watch. Another player that began at the 2022 World Cup, Ream is on the way to do it again in 2026 if anything has changed.
Chris Richards
Cry•D•#26
In a fight with Mackenzie and in the center’s starting spot alongside Rim, Richards is having a solid season at Crystal Palace. Even if Richards isn’t a starter, he’s still a solid member of the team as he has the versatility to play in the back three or as a full-back.
Joe Scully
US•D•#26
Since becoming number one on the right, Scully has been steadily present in the defense as he desperately needs them. Scary isn’t someone who does anything too flashy, but that doesn’t mean he won’t affect the game as he gets closer to the 25-cap mark.
Middle
Tyler Adams
bou•m•#12
Return to USMNT for the first time since Copa AmericaTyler Adams is also here for his first camp under Pockettino. The Bournemouth men are in strong form and now USMNT will have their first mid-choice selection at Pockettino’s freedom from the World Cup. It’s exciting, especially when Adams was the captain of that team.
Brian Gutierrez
Chi•M•#17
Added as an alternative to the injury, Brian Gutierrez is someone else at Pockettino camp in January. He also plays football under former American coach Greg Barhalter, so he is fully poised about what to expect on the international stage.
Impressed at the Olympics, Diego Luna is taking the expected step forward to driving the World Cup team. He wanted to deliver an assist right away during camp in January when Luna broke his nose but wanted to stay in the match, so he needs to take a step forward to show Pockettino that he can love himself and can produce at the highest level during a competitive camp.
Weston McKenney
JUV•M•#16
One of the first names on USMNT and Juventus’ team sheets, Weston McKennie can do it all a bit. Its versatility helped a lot in the setup under the Pockettino, allowing him to reach them while McKenny’s expectations rose daily.
Giovanni Reina
BVB•M•#7
In his first camp under Pockettino, Giovanni Reina has struggled to play against Borussia Dortmund this season. How many options in the middle is, and what Reina’s role is, despite him being one of the most talented players on the team.
Tanner Tessman
US•m
Already experienced in the double-pivoting role under Pockettino, Tessman was able to demonstrate the power of possession while adjusting to being in Lyon after leading the Olympic team in the midfield.
forward
Patrick Aggieman
US•f
Scoring in the first two USMNT appearances is an easy way for the Patrick Aggyman star to stand up. It’s exciting to see what the Charlotte FC guy does when he’s on the pitch, as skilled players in balls aren’t afraid to shoot from anywhere.
Jack McLinn
hou•m•#21
As he is skilled at taking free kicks and looking quite a bit at pass, it’s no surprise that Jack McClinn is making steam under Pockettino, but it’s a bit surprising to see him listed forward when he runs very deep at the club. Pochettino is not afraid to put players anywhere, so it would be interesting to see where McGlynn ends.
Yunus Musa
US•M•#6
Another versatile player, Yunus Musa, was able to fly between the wing and the central midfield and has occasionally returned to the wing. He will often be seen as holding ownership and pushing places where he takes a lot of responsibility.
Christian Purisic
MIL•M•#11
This team will go as long as the Milan guy takes them. Part of the offensive job is to make the Christian Purisic a success, as he shows that whether he is a winger or number 10, crashes the box and responds to the pressures that drive this team forward. The star on the side, Purisic, is ready.
After leading the line at the 2022 World Cup, injuries kept Josh Sargent out of key camp, but now in the best form of his career at Norwich City, it will be a great opportunity for Sargent to show why he should be nine.
Timothy Wee
juv•f•#22
One of the most unpredictable members of the attack is not sure if Tim Wee will appear in the Wing or if he is defending it. After Pulisic, he becomes firm on the second most dangerous USMNT attacker, and when too much focus is on the talisman, Weah finds space to strike.
A slow bluemer, Brian White is able to bring air presence to pitches where the rest of the USMNT members can’t match. In a strong form for Vancouver, he could make a difference in a tight game if Pockettino needed a late goal to push USMNT.
