ไทย
English
中國人
The U.S. men's national team's top players had a remarkable week on the global stage. Seven found the net, while others served as cornerstones for their clubs in crucial victories.
It's a welcome headache for USMNT boss Mauricio Pochettino, whose task of assembling a roster for the upcoming Concacaf Nations League fixtures just got considerably more complicated. The Argentine tactician is keeping close tabs, undoubtedly noting who is surpassing expectations and who is falling short. He is expected to announce his squad next week, identifying those best positioned to take down Haiti in the tournament's quarterfinals.
Here is Sports Illustrated's weekly stock up, stock down breakdown for USMNT players.
USMNT Stock Up
Weston McKennie
WESTON MCKENNIE GETS JUVENTUS ROLLING! 🇺🇸⚪️⚫️
️
The American midfielder gets his first goal of the campaign to put Juventus in front away to Lecce 💥⚽️
Watch Serie A on @paramountplus 📺 pic.twitter.com/LNJnvbLTpq
Pochettino left Weston McKennie out of his fall squad last month, and while the USMNT still managed a flawless four-win run without the star midfielder, repeating that decision would be a mistake.
The 28-year-old was the engine of the Stars and Stripes' midfield at the 2026 World Cup this summer and has been a fixture there for years. Since the tournament concluded, he has continued to showcase his qualities for club side Juventus.
McKennie notched his first goal of the new campaign on Sunday, breaking the deadlock against Serie A opponents Lecce in the 29th minute. Chasing a free kick into the box, McKennie threw himself toward the goal line to force the ball home. Juventus departed the Stadio Via del Mare with a 2–0 victory and have suffered just one defeat in their last five league games, with McKennie contributing meaningfully throughout.
Since the World Cup, Pochettino has been keen to test new, younger talent in a bid to shape his ideal roster ahead of the 2030 edition, handing opportunities to several midfielders including Brooklyn Raines and Adri Mehmeti. While newly appointed captain Tyler Adams can guide those youngsters on the defensive end, they will need someone like McKennie to model the creative dynamism Pochettino craves in the center of the park.
Christian Pulisic
Christian Pulisic
Consistency hasn't exactly been Pulisic's calling card of late, so perhaps temper expectations around his recent form.
That said, an optimistic USMNT supporter will view the past week as evidence that Pulisic is genuinely turning things around. Now firmly back in AC Milan's starting eleven (at least in Serie A), the 28-year-old forward has grown increasingly assured as the new season unfolds.
He bagged his second goal of the season on Sunday, just six minutes into the league clash against Udinese. He timed his run to perfection through the opposition's defensive line to connect with a long ball played by teammate Luka Modrić. A superb first touch brought the aerial pass under control and set Pulisic up for a clinical finish.
Milan sealed a 2–0 away win, and Pulisic walked away with Player of the Match recognition. Adding to an already exciting weekend, reports indicate he is now in advanced talks over a contract extension with the Rossoneri, a deal that would come with a substantial wage increase.
Is Pochettino watching closely, or has the manager already moved on from "Captain America?"
USMNT Stock Down
Johnny Cardoso
Johnny Cardoso
Johnny Cardoso simply cannot catch a break. Having already missed the 2026 World Cup through injury, the standout midfielder finds himself sidelined once more with a problem that could jeopardize his place in Pochettino's future plans.
The 25-year-old picked up a muscular thigh injury last week, feeling discomfort during Atlético Madrid's Champions League encounter with Stuttgart on Oct. 20. He subsequently sat out Saturday's La Liga fixture against Deportivo A Coruña.
The timing is a significant blow given the form Cardoso had been showing. He played a key role in the club's recent victories over Manchester United and Real Madrid, completing the full 90 minutes in midfield on both occasions.
While his recovery window is reportedly short—Atléti described the injury as "low grade"—he was absent from Wednesday's training session and may not regain full fitness in time to be considered for Pochettino's November squad.
Cardoso has not represented the USMNT since March, having missed the summer's showpiece event after undergoing ankle surgery just weeks before the group stage got underway.
Folarin Balogun
Folarin Balogun
What has become of Folarin Balogun? The USMNT's standout striker—the very player who lit up the world stage this summer and became a household name—has gone largely unnoticed in the tournament's wake.
The red card controversy that shook both the World Cup and the White House, the drawn-out transfer saga that ultimately left him where he began, and a minor leg injury would each individually have been enough to weigh heavily on the 25-year-old. Put them all together, and his continued struggles months down the line are perhaps less surprising.
After a staggering 19 goals last season for Monaco across all competitions and three for the USMNT in just four World Cup appearances, Balogun has been nowhere near those levels in the new campaign.
Once a guaranteed starter for both club and country, he has appeared in only four matches for Monaco this fall, every one of them as a substitute. He managed just a single minute against a ten-man Lille on Sunday, entering the pitch in the 90th minute of a 1–1 draw.
Whether Balogun can reclaim his spot in Monaco's attack remains uncertain, particularly with stiff competition from 20-year-old Paris Brunner—last season's understudy who has already racked up four league goals this fall.
Questions also linger over Balogun's inclusion in Pochettino's November roster. He was left out last month, allowing teenagers Julian Hall and Justin Ellis to shine on the international stage. The young pair combined for five goals in their debut camp. Pochettino certainly doesn't need Balogun to succeed next month, but the question remains—does he want him?