Reyna Seizes His Moment While Pulisic's Struggles Keep USMNT on Edge

Sports Illustrated recently launched a new weekly column breaking down the women's soccer weekend through a U.S. women's national team lens (check out the first two editions here and here) and with the 2026 World Cup just 10 weeks out, it's time to do the same for the men's side.

The USMNT just concluded the March international window, a disappointing stretch for the Stars and Stripes, who fell to two European powerhouses: a 5–2 hammering at the hands of Belgium on Saturday and a 2–0 defeat to Portugal on Tuesday. Time is running short for head coach Mauricio Pochettino, who has already confirmed he will lock in his squad ahead of the next international window in May.

While the USMNT was far from their best, Pochettino maintained there were a number of bright spots throughout the week and that trimming his large pool down to just 26 players will be no easy task.

Here's our stock up, stock down breakdown.

USMNT Stock Up

Chris Richards

Chris Richards has long been a reliable presence for the USMNT at the back; however, the Crystal Palace center back suffered a knee injury on March 19 during a Conference League fixture that left him sidelined heading into the March international window.

The standout defender had been expected to miss the entire week's action, yet he made an unexpected return for Tuesday's match, playing the full 90 minutes against Portugal.

Richards restored a sense of composure and structure to the U.S. defensive unit that had been noticeably absent during Saturday's performance against Belgium. For much of Tuesday's contest, the Stars and Stripes were well-organized at the back, maintaining their shape and providing solid cover for one another.

Matt Freese

It seems Matt Freese has cemented his spot as the first-choice goalkeeper heading into the 2026 World Cup, which will be his debut on soccer's biggest stage after receiving his first senior international call-up only last year.

After being left out of the starting lineup against Belgium, the New York City FC shot-stopper took charge between the posts and produced three crucial saves to limit further damage from the Portuguese attack.

Giovanni Reyna

Giovanni Reyna sparked considerable debate when Pochettino included him in the March squad. The Borussia Mönchengladbach attacker has logged just 26 minutes of club football this calendar year—a result of both injury and being passed over. Still, Pochettino was candid in his view that club form does not necessarily dictate what a player can deliver at the international level.

Pochettino stood by that stance, handing Reyna 20 minutes in midfield against Belgium and 11 minutes against Portugal—a combined total that already exceeds his entire Bundesliga playing time this year.

USMNT Stock Down

Christian Pulisic

The USMNT's talisman has hit a rough patch. Rather than displaying his usual composure and sharpness, the forward looked hurried and unsettled throughout the March window as he desperately sought to end his goal drought.

Pulisic, who represents AC Milan and is affectionately nicknamed "Captain America," has now gone 15 matches without a goal across all competitions—and eight matches in a U.S. jersey, stretching back to November 2024.

Pulisic still has eight goals to his name for his Serie A club this season, courtesy of a strong autumn run. He will need to rediscover his best form quickly to help steer the U.S. back on track. He has only the May international window remaining—fixtures against Senegal and Germany—to find the net for the Stars and Stripes before the World Cup gets underway on June 12.

Matt Turner

The U.S.'s starting goalkeeper from the 2022 World Cup appears to have lost his grip on the position.

Matt Turner was handed the start on Saturday in what looked like a final opportunity to convince Pochettino he deserved the tournament's number one spot ahead of Freese; however, that chance unraveled spectacularly as Belgium put five goals past him.

While Turner cannot be held solely responsible—the entire team's performance was below par—a visible look of anxiety crossed his face after the second goal and only intensified from there.

Tim Ream

The experienced center back, though still likely to earn a spot on the final World Cup roster, endured a difficult week.

While capable going forward, Ream's defensive shortcomings played a significant role in the U.S.'s heavy defeat to Belgium. He registered zero tackles and only two blocks on the day, and also conceded a penalty for handball in the 59th minute—directly leading to Belgium's third goal. He struggled to command his area as the likes of Manchester City winger Jérémy Doku tore down Belgium's flank and whipped in threatening deliveries.

It seemed the Charlotte FC defender's age—38—was beginning to take its toll. Ream was not involved in the Portugal fixture.