Pochettino's Must-Have Trio: The 3 Game-Changing Players USMNT Desperately Needs for March Showdowns
Prior to the start of 2026, United States men's national team manager Mauricio Pochettino expressed his desire for his late May pre-World Cup squad to essentially serve as his final World Cup roster, aiming to prevent devastating last-minute eliminations before the competition begins in early June.
Given this approach, additional significance falls on the March international break—the final camp before that point and therefore the last chance to make an impression before opportunities disappear. Naturally, Pochettino could still make final roster cuts from a group larger than 26 players in June—but his preference is clearly to avoid this scenario.
The USMNT will travel to Atlanta this month to take on European powerhouses Belgium and Portugal in two exhibition matches and are anticipated to select a somewhat expanded roster to help finalize their decisions.
In this piece, Sports Illustrated examines three players that Pochettino and his coaching staff must include and evaluate before making any ultimate choices.
Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps)
Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps)
Hardly any players enhanced their reputation more throughout 2025 and into 2026 than Sebastian Berhalter, whose tireless running and defensive prowess establish him as one of MLS's premier defensive midfielders at merely 24 years of age. Additionally, his set-piece delivery and curved crosses into the penalty area may position him among America's finest players.
Operating in a more attacking role within Vancouver Whitecaps' shift to a 4-2-3-1 formation, Berhalter possesses excellent vision for delivering quick, precise passes to forwards making runs. This ability complements U.S. strikers Folarin Balogun, Ricardo Pepi and Patrick Agyemang in their preferred attacking style.
Meanwhile, Berhalter's set-piece execution was exceptional in virtually every appearance and caught attention during the autumn, when he both scored and provided an assist from a free kick and corner kick in the USMNT's victory over Uruguay to end 2025.
For a reserve position, Berhalter is approaching guaranteed selection for the USMNT this summer, making any omission from the March camp a significant oversight by Pochettino and his coaching team.
Aidan Morris (Middlesbrough)
Aidan Morris (Middlesbrough)
Previously a coveted dual-national prospect during his MLS tenure with Columbus Crew, Aidan Morris's value has continued to increase as he excels with Middlesbrough in England's Championship division.
Although the 24-year-old hasn't secured a guaranteed position on the U.S. squad despite his 13 previous appearances, his performances in England this campaign certainly merit serious consideration this month. This season, the midfielder has recorded three assists across 29 starts for a club competing for Premier League promotion, partnering with 23-year-old English player Hayden Hackney in midfield.
His strength lies in advancing the ball from deep midfield positions while providing the physical presence required at that level in the Championship. His 0.17 Expected Assists per 90 minutes ranks in the top 12 percent among all players in his position throughout the league, while he registers more ball touches per 90 minutes than any comparable player.
With the USMNT, he would fill a substitute role this summer as a high-energy late-game option who can contribute to attacking phases, and these attributes are extremely valuable in this window, particularly against elite opposition.
Joe Scally (Borussia Mönchengladbach)
Joe Scally (Borussia Mönchengladbach)
If Pochettino is convinced that this represents the last chance for players to demonstrate their worth before announcing the World Cup squad, then Joe Scally must be included in the camp, particularly with primary right-back choice Sergiño Dest sidelined with injury.
Though Scally, who operates in a 3-5-2 system, provides vastly different qualities compared to Dest, he still contributes consistent top-flight experience and time as a more defensively-minded fullback—even though he would likely require a more aggressive winger on the right flank to enhance his attacking contributions.
If the USMNT maintains a three-defender formation, there may be only two positions for right-backs in the final 26-man squad. One spot will certainly belong to Dest if fit, but the other will be contested between Scally and Villarreal's Alex Freeman, who might suit the wingback role but may struggle as a wider center-back in a three-man defense.
This campaign, Scally has been a consistent starter in the Bundesliga with Borussia Mönchengladbach, featuring as both right-back and right wingback while the club battles to avoid relegation in a tight survival race.