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Mauricio Pochettino is dreading the task of finalizing the U.S. men's national team World Cup squad, admitting he is "suffering" as he attempts to whittle his options down to 26 players ahead of this summer's tournament on home turf.
Among the areas of concern, the midfield presents the greatest uncertainty, with only three central midfielders likely to feature if the side maintains the three- and five-man defensive shapes introduced last autumn.
For March friendlies against Belgium and Portugal, the USMNT will also be without key Bournemouth midfielder Tyler Adams, adding further uncertainty around positions and the battle to claim them ahead of the World Cup.
In the buildup to facing the European heavyweights in Atlanta, Pochettino drew parallels between the importance of quality midfielders and the iconic Real Madrid and FC Barcelona sides of the 2010s — teams that boasted the likes of Xavi, Sergio Busquets, Andrés Iniesta, Luka Modrić and Casemiro at their peaks, among others.
"We cannot compare with these guys ... but what they were doing, every time the team works, it's because the midfielders are good," the Argentine coach said ahead of the USMNT's clash with Belgium on Saturday, with the side on a five-game unbeaten streak that includes victories over Australia, Japan, Paraguay and Uruguay, along with a draw against Ecuador.
"I think any combination [of USMNT midfield in those games] were all different," he continued. "The competition is fierce, and it's going to be difficult to select the right players for the final squad. It's a massive occasion, and I have been suffering for two months already."
With Adams sidelined, and injury concerns surrounding center backs Chris Richards and Miles Robinson potentially forcing Lyon midfielder Tanner Tessmann or Borussia Mönchengladbach right back Joe Scally into those roles, the players vying for midfield spots face an audition of the highest stakes.
Club Form Not Considered
In the current USMNT setup, club form carries little weight. That's why Gio Reyna described himself as "fortunate" to receive a call-up despite logging just 26 minutes of Bundesliga action in 2026 with Mönchengladbach.
Pochettino places far greater value on these international friendlies than on anything players produce at club level, whether good or bad — a dynamic that has clearly been a hurdle for Atlético Madrid's Johnny Cardoso, who has struggled to replicate his elite club form with the national team.
"The performance here counts more than performing at your club, because the circumstances are different, and I think in the case of Gio Reyna, he may not be playing for his club, but perhaps he's the right player for us," the manager explained.
"From the start, we've said there are many different factors we evaluate when building the final roster. You might see some players get minutes who won't end up at the World Cup, or some who don't play at all but still make the squad."
Weston McKennie's Versatility
Among the players closest to securing a starting spot on Saturday, Weston McKennie appears to be the most certain, even as Pochettino remains tight-lipped about his lineup against Belgium and having omitted the 27-year-old from the November squad.
Even so, his exact role remains unclear, as the Juventus man has been deployed all over the pitch for the Old Lady this season — at times, as Pochettino describes it, "starting like a striker, then going to be like a midfielder, and finishing like a fullback."
McKennie's multi-positional flexibility could prove even more valuable at the World Cup, where injuries mid-tournament can push teams into difficult situations with already-limited rosters. Nevertheless, identifying his optimal position within the setup remains a key question, given that full fitness always takes priority in selection and planning.
Why not us? pic.twitter.com/BNGnWKfRer
"He has the ability to read the game, and he adapts his qualities to whatever the game demands to benefit the team," Pochettino said of the Serie A star. "When the team needs a different option in a different position, he can deliver that ... [he's] a key player and that's nothing new for us."
Whether for established figures like McKennie or those fighting for a place in the squad, Saturday's performance carries enormous weight — even if Pochettino is keen to shield his players from that pressure with 76 days still to go before the World Cup kicks off.
"When you are free, you perform, and when you feel happy, you perform," Pochettino added. "You don't need to feel the pressure, because pressure is something that, if you don't manage it perfectly, can weigh you down."