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Soccer enthusiasts throughout the United States fell in love with the 26 players who wore red, white and blue at the 2026 World Cup this summer, guiding the U.S. men's national team on an equally magical and exhilarating run into the knockout rounds of the tournament on home turf.
Yet the team's glorious recent history and its promising future are two entirely different conversations, as USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino has been keen to emphasize in the aftermath of the global competition.
"It's a completely different approach than it was in the past," Pochettino stated back in September, ahead of the nation's four straight victories earlier this fall. "The World Cup is in four years. We need to work with different objectives and goals."
He went on to say: "Everyone says, 'Oh, that name needs to be here because in the past, their performance could also go like this. No, no, now it's a fresh start. It's a new start. Of course, all [players] have the door open, but now it's not what [he] did in the past. [There is] no 'I am [Folarin] Balogun and score lots of goals. No, 'I am Malik Tillman and was one of the best in the World Cup.'"
Pochettino, who left out prominent veterans such as Christian Pulisic, Balogun and Weston McKennie from his squad last month in favor of 13 uncapped players, is anticipated to maintain a similar philosophy for the upcoming November camp. The Argentine manager will announce his roster next week ahead of a two-match series against Haiti in the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals, the USMNT's first competitive games since the World Cup.
Here, Sports Illustrated highlights three standouts from the 2026 World Cup squad who could find themselves left out by Pochettino this time around.
Sergiño Dest
A reliable starter along the right side in the last two World Cup cycles, Sergiño Dest has long been a crowd favorite for his dynamic movement, technical flair and sharp dribbling. That said, the 25-year-old may no longer have a guaranteed spot secured on the Stars and Stripes' roster.
He started four of five World Cup matches this summer as the primary outlet down the right, including both knockout stage games; however, after registering zero goal contributions, it appears Pochettino is keen to explore more impactful attacking options.
Dest was still included in the Argentine coach's September-October squad—one of only 13 World Cup players to return—but he was pushed down the depth chart to accommodate emerging talent.
Teen sensation Cavan Sullivan took over the right wing in the USMNT's commanding 4–1 victory over Peru, the team's first outing since the painful World Cup elimination against Belgium by the same scoreline in reverse. Though Sullivan didn't register a stat-sheet contribution himself (an unusual occurrence for him lately), the youngster left his mark all over the field. His relentless drive and confidence on the ball created numerous dangerous opportunities in Peru's defensive third and captured the bold optimism surrounding the USMNT's future.
Many view Sullivan as central to the team's long-term ambitions, a viewpoint only strengthened by Dest's recent demotion to the bench. While Dest earned the starting nod in the subsequent friendly against Chile, it was ultimately Sullivan whom Pochettino trusted most to control the flank against fierce rival Mexico. The recently turned 17-year-old immediately justified Pochettino's faith, becoming the youngest scorer in USMNT history during a dominant 3–0 defeat of the Concacaf opponent — pushing Dest even further down the pecking order.
Gio Reyna and Malik Tillman then alternated at right wing in the final friendly against Canada, suggesting Dest may be as low as fourth in the depth chart and, therefore, out of contention for a November call-up.
Matt Freese
When Pochettino recalled Matt Freese last month, he handed the World Cup starting goalkeeper a valuable chance to make amends for his shortcomings in the round of 16 defeat to Belgium.
Instead, the 28-year-old once again struggled to deliver when it mattered, casting serious doubt over his standing within the squad. He played the opening half in the first friendly against Peru, conceding one of just two shots on target the South American side managed all game. From a long ball into the box, Freese hesitated to come off his line, standing motionless in goal as 36-year-old Gianluca Lapadula easily steered it to the back post. While Peru's finish wasn't entirely Freese's fault — fullback Peyton Miller should have been goal-side on Lapadula — it nonetheless highlighted his struggles to step up in critical moments.
At halftime, Freese was replaced by 20-year-old goalkeeper Diego Kochen, who subsequently played the full 90 minutes against Mexico — likely a significant indicator for the future. Freese did not appear again during the international window.
Brian Schwake, 25, then played the full 90 minutes and kept a clean sheet in the 1–0 win over Canada, suggesting he and Kochen may be Pochettino's preferred options in goal.
Adding to Freese's troubles, his club New York City FC was knocked out of MLS playoff contention on Saturday, after the struggling goalkeeper conceded a stoppage-time goal to the Western Conference's bottom side, CF Montréal. The 1–1 draw capped an extremely difficult year for the Pigeons, who managed just nine wins throughout the entire season.
Folarin Balogun
Unlike Freese, there is little question that Folarin Balogun has a future with the USMNT. It just may not be this year.
The 25-year-old forward was unquestionably the standout performer for the USMNT at this summer's World Cup, claiming Pulisic's long-held status as the team's top star and becoming a recognizable name after netting three goals in four appearances.
However, shaken by a red card controversy, a leg injury and a dizzying transfer saga, Balogun has struggled to replicate those heights in the months since the tournament.
Where he was a regular starter for French Ligue 1 club Monaco last season, accumulating 19 goals across all competitions, Balogun has made just five appearances for Monaco this campaign, all as a substitute.
Balogun has yet to hit his stride this fall and was left out of Pochettino's most recent international camp. He may similarly find himself absent from the squad next week. Nevertheless, he is gradually working his way back. He finally broke his scoring drought on Sunday, finding the net in an eventual 3–1 defeat to Paris FC.