The March international window has concluded, and the U.S. Men's National Team is at the center of the discussion, as they often are. Mauricio Pochettino's USMNT lost both friendlies, falling to Belgium and Portugal while being outscored 7-2.
Before the Chicago Fire jump back into MLS action this weekend, here's a look at where the U.S. pool stands just six weeks out from the World Cup roster announcement.
Goalkeepers
1. Matt Freese (New York City FC) — Entering the March camp, there was no doubt over who Pochettino's apparent #1 goalkeeper was. That was thrown into question when Matt Turner got the start against Belgium, but after the two games and a solid outing from Freese against Portugal, it seems like we're back to where we started.
2. Matt Turner (New England Revolution) — Turner got a rare opportunity against Belgium, and although he didn't necessarily have a bad game, the 5-2 result is difficult to get around. He's clearly the #2, but it seems unlikely he will start in the World Cup... despite Pochettino's comments that the goalkeeper is an "open competition."
3. Chris Brady (Chicago Fire) — The U.S. #3 spot is much more up for interpretation, but the Fire's Brady seems to have done all he can to stake his claim. The 21-year-old is yet to debut for the senior national team, but has been called into three camps, including the most recent March camp. If his form can remain high for the next two months, his talent will be enough to keep him ahead of the rest of the competition.
In the chase – Roman Celentano (FC Cincinnati), Patrick Schulte (Columbus Crew)
Center Backs
1. Chris Richards (Crystal Palace) — Center back is a problem position for the U.S., but Richards is not a part of that. He's the star defender of this team, will start every game if healthy, and could captain the U.S. at the World Cup as he did against Portugal on Tuesday.
2. Auston Trusty (Celtic) — Trusty was the biggest surprise from the Portugal match. He outperformed Tim Ream in this camp, so if the U.S. opt to use a left-footed center back to pair with Richards, there's a very real case to be made that Trusty could be that guy. His sample size at the international level is quite small, however, and it is difficult to read too much into one game.
3. Mark McKenzie (Toulouse) — It was an unremarkable March camp for McKenzie, but he likely maintains his status as the U.S.'s second-best right-sided center back.
4. Tim Ream (Charlotte FC) — Ream is probably a lock to make the U.S. roster and could still start in the World Cup, but these two friendlies showed he's a step behind the international level defensively. While good with the ball, Ream came across as a liability when Belgium was attacking.
5. Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati) — If Noahkai Banks accepts a U.S. World Cup call-up, he undoubtedly jumps to #2 on this list. Since that seems unlikely until at least after the summer, Robinson (who missed the March camp with injury) keeps his place as the fifth and final center back on the roster.
In the chase – Noahkai Banks (Augsburg), George Campbell (CF Montréal)
Fullbacks/Wingbacks
1. Antonee Robinson (Fulham) — "Jedi" instantly makes this team better when he's available. His return on the left side was a welcome sight in this camp, and he'll start every game in the World Cup if healthy.
2. Sergiño Dest (PSV) — As of right now, Dest is the biggest injury question for the World Cup. He's in a race against time to make the plane. If he does, he'll be a star on the right side, albeit in healthy competition with Tim Weah.
3. Tim Weah (Olympique Marseille) — Though he wasn't at his best in March, Weah is a phenomenal talent and a key asset who can make an impact in numerous positions for the U.S. in the World Cup. Whether or not he starts comes down to Dest's fitness and matchup-specific decisions.
4. Max Arfsten (Columbus Crew) — No doubt about it, Arfsten is the backup to Jedi Robinson on the left side. Though he won't start, his performances as an attacking wingback and lack of any competition preserve his place.
5. Alex Freeman (Villarreal) — Freeman's lack of minutes since his move to Europe have plummeted his stock, but performances for the national team in the last 10 months keep him just ahead of Joe Scally.
In the chase: Joe Scally (Borussia Mönchengladbach), John Tolkin (Holstein Kiel)
Central Midfielders
1. Tyler Adams (Bournemouth) — One of the biggest winners of the March camp simply by not being a part of it. The U.S. midfield struggled without its best holding midfielder, indicating that if healthy, he'll be locked into the starting XI in the World Cup.
2. Johnny Cardoso (Atlético Madrid) — This one is very difficult to read. On one hand, Johnny should be a viable starter next to Adams (or at least, that's what his talent level and skillset would suggest). On the other hand, he has regularly failed to match that billing throughout his entire U.S. career, and withdrew from camp early after feeling discomfort against Belgium. Given Pochettino's faith in starting him for 45 minutes in the first friendly, let's say it's the former... but he could just as easily be off the roster altogether.
3. Tanner Tessmann (Olympique Lyonnais) — Perceived by many as a potential starter next to Adams, Tessmann has not performed well as of late and also saw his stock drop in this camp. Nonetheless, his spot on the roster is probably safe given his body of minutes under Pochettino.
4. Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps) — Berhalter continues to perform solidly for the U.S. in his appearances, particularly when paired with Aidan Morris in midfield.
5. Aidan Morris (Middlesbrough) — It was a good night for Morris in his midfield start against Portugal, despite the result. Like his former Crew teammate Berhalter, Morris keeps his spot, bumping Cristian Roldan onto the standby list.
In the chase: Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders), Yunus Musah (Atalanta)
Attacking Midfielders/Wingers
1. Christian Pulisic (AC Milan) — No doubt about Pulisic's status as the team's star despite a rough run of form to start 2026 and a brutally frustrating March camp. No matter what, he's locked into the XI.
2. Weston McKennie (Juventus) — Somewhere on the field, McKennie will start. His form so far in 2026 has been the polar opposite of Pulisic's as he has played some of the best soccer of his career for Juve. For this case, he is included in the attacking midfield position, where he has excelled in recent U.S. appearances.
3. Malik Tillman (Bayer 04 Leverkusen) — Tillman is one of the team's top attacking talents, and started together with Pulisic and McKennie in both of the March friendlies. He did well, and he's an option to start if the U.S. formation allows for another attacking option.
4. Gio Reyna (Borussia Mönchengladbach) — Another player whose status is very difficult to read. He has played 26 minutes for Mönchengladbach in 2026 so far, but appeared for a total of 46 minutes in these two friendlies. The fact that he appeared in both games and the fact that he's infinitely more talented than the alternative options mean he may just make the cut.
5. Álex Zendejas (Club América) — Brenden Aaronson was the least used player of the March camp, so he may drop out despite his strong winter form for Leeds. Zendejas would be the replacement, as he is clearly better than Luna and continues to play well in Liga MX.
In the chase: Brenden Aaronson (Leeds), Diego Luna (Real Salt Lake)
Center Forwards
1. Folarin Balogun (Monaco) — Lack of goals in the March friendlies notwithstanding, Balogun is the best American striker today. No matter what, he's on the plane and should start.
2. Patrick Agyemang (Derby County) — Pochettino seems to really like Agyemang, who's now scoring freely in the Championship. He scored one of the two U.S. goals in March, and probably makes the team now if he stays red-hot heading into May.
3. Haji Wright (Coventry City) — Wright missed the March camp with injury. He's probably back with the team in May unless he does not recover his form. Unfortunately, Ricardo Pepi is likely the one to miss the cut for the second successive World Cup; Pochettino has rarely given Pepi minutes when he's been in camp, and it seems like he's not a favorite. There also may be a possibility all four go... if someone is sacrificed elsewhere.
In the chase: Ricardo Pepi (PSV)
