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The U.S. men's national team has reconvened.
The group of 28 American players arrived in Atlanta on Monday to kick off a two-week extended international camp, coming together for the first time since the 2026 World Cup in July.
There were warm reunions and lively conversations among the Stars and Stripes, but plenty of work awaits. Mauricio Pochettino's squad has four autumn friendlies scheduled, starting with a match against Peru on Saturday in Orlando. The Argentine manager has summoned a dozen new faces, meaning the 13 returning World Cup veterans will carry added responsibility in bringing the newcomers up to speed.
Some players head into this international window in strong form, while others find themselves watching from the sidelines at home.
Here is Sports Illustrated's weekly stock up, stock down breakdown for USMNT players.
USMNT Stock Up
Chris Richards
Expected to join the rest of the USMNT on Wednesday, Chris Richards is set to arrive at camp in outstanding form. The 6'2" center back has long been a cornerstone of Pochettino's defensive setup, and his confidence will be riding high following a standout week with club side Crystal Palace.
The 26-year-old was instrumental in Palace's commanding 4–0 win over Polish outfit Lech Poznań on Thursday in the Europa League's opening round. It marks only the third time in the club's history that the Eagles have featured in European competition, and their debut in the Europa League specifically.
Richards got on the scoresheet with a precise header from a corner kick in the 27th minute. Positioned near the back post of the penalty area, the American guided the ball nearly 15 yards past goalkeeper Mateusz Lis and into the far corner of the net.
While it may have been Richards's first goal in European competition, it was the clean sheet that resonated most with the defender.
"That meant more to me than the goal," Richards said after the match on TNT Sports. "It was very exciting for us. Obviously keeping clean sheets is what keeps me going everyday. And also for me to have a goal on top of it, it was a perfect day."
Richards backed up Thursday's performance with another clean sheet over the weekend, helping Palace hold Leeds United to a goalless draw in Sunday's Premier League away fixture. He alone contributed 10 defensive actions and eight clearances to secure the result.
Peyton Miller
Among Pochettino's first-time call-ups, 18-year-old Peyton Miller has a recent eye-catching performance to draw confidence from ahead of his debut camp.
The winger netted twice on Saturday to propel the New England Revolution to a 4–2 win over Orlando City at Gillette Stadium, vaulting them into second place in the Eastern Conference standings and past Lionel Messi's Inter Miami. It was the teenager's first professional brace, bringing his season tally to seven goals.
His opening goal came around the hour mark and showcased Miller's electric pace. He covered roughly 75 yards from deep in New England's own half into Orlando's attacking third, leaving three Lions defenders in his wake before finishing with a left-footed strike just inside the 18-yard box.
Miller's second was even more dramatic—a match-winner in the third minute of stoppage time. He once again used his blistering speed to beat a defender and latch onto a through-ball into the box, converting with another left-footed finish. The youngster walked away with MLS Player of the Matchday honors.
USMNT Stock Down
Ricardo Pepi
A strong run of form with PSV Eindhoven had earned Ricardo Pepi a spot in Pochettino's squad for the upcoming international window, making him the only World Cup forward included on the roster—and the only forward with a senior cap, at that.
It would have been a pivotal opportunity for the 23-year-old striker to cement his place as a starter in this new, younger chapter of the Stars and Stripes, particularly with Folarin Balogun absent—the player he backed up throughout the summer.
However, Pepi will now be forced to watch from home. He picked up an injury on Sunday against FC Twente and has been replaced in Pochettino's squad by 22-year-old forward Damion Downs.
Pepi went down as early as the eighth minute of PSV's match, dropping to the turf with a suspected muscular issue. He was able to leave the field under his own power, albeit carefully. The exact nature of the injury and his expected recovery timeline remain unclear.
Johnny Cardoso
No matter what Johnny Cardoso does, he simply cannot seem to get on Pochettino's radar.
The 25-year-old Atlético Madrid midfielder missed the World Cup after suffering a severe ankle sprain in May that required surgery. Since returning to action, he has been a standout performer in one of the world's most demanding leagues. Yet he remains on the outside looking in at the national team and was left out of the September–October call-up window.
He featured for close to 90 minutes in each of Atlético's last two La Liga outings. He contributed an assist in Wednesday's 4–0 rout of Osasuna, then played a crucial role in Sunday's high-stakes 2–1 Madrid derby victory over Real Madrid—tasked with neutralizing the likes of Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappé through the middle of the pitch.
If Cardoso keeps delivering performances of this caliber—and makes his presence felt in the Champions League this season—how much longer can Pochettino afford to overlook him?