Chris Brady is one step closer to representing the United States at this summer's FIFA World Cup on home soil.
The 22-year-old Chicago Fire goalkeeper, who is still yet to be capped by the senior national team, was named to Mauricio Pochettino's squad for the final two tune-up friendlies ahead of the World Cup camp starting in May. The U.S. will face Belgium and Portugal in those matches, which will both be played in Atlanta.
Though he hasn't featured in a match setting yet for the USMNT, Brady has been called up to numerous senior camps dating back to last June. His first involvement was for the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup, where he was the third goalkeeper. He was again summoned for the October international window. Brady's only camp under former USMNT and current Chicago Fire Head Coach Gregg Berhalter was a combined MNT/U-20 camp ahead of the last World Cup.
For this camp, Brady is one of four goalkeepers, meaning there is likely still work he has to do to establish himself as the #3 and boost his chances of making the World Cup roster. Matt Freese is the apparent #1 after starting 12 successive USMNT games (including the full 2025 Gold Cup and all six fall friendlies), while veteran Matt Turner seems to be the #2 (despite being the clear starter 12 months ago).
That means the battle for the #3 position could come down to two uncapped Naperville-born goalkeepers. The other goalie called into camp, Roman Celentano, hails from the same hometown as Brady, and was involved in a handful of U.S. camps under Berhalter and Pochettino. Chances are one of those two will make the final World Cup roster, with alternatives like Patrick Schulte, Diego Kochen, Jonathan Klinsmann, and Gaga Slonina all on the outside looking in.
Brady is not expected to feature in either match this camp, but most show Pochettino's staff why he deserves to be on the final roster. The camp will convene next week, immediately following this weekend's slate of MLS matches (including the Fire's trip to Philadelphia on Saturday).
