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The new European club seasons may still be a few days away, but several U.S. men's national team players have already returned to competitive action.
Major League Soccer dove straight into the second half of its season even before the 2026 FIFA World Cup final concluded, and now many of its clubs are battling in the Leagues Cup against Liga MX's top sides in a bid for continental supremacy. Six USMNT players from the World Cup squad are active in MLS, five of whom are currently participating in the Leagues Cup—offering exciting early indicators of where the national team stands ahead of its late September reunion.
As the American players get to work, particularly those competing across North America, here's Sports Illustrated's weekly stock up, stock down breakdown for the USMNT players.
USMNT Stock Up
Miles Robinson
Miles Robinson put on an impressive display Friday night in FC Cincinnati's clash with Pumas UNAM. The MLS club faced the seven-time Liga MX champions and 2026 Liga MX Clausura runners-up in their second Leagues Cup Phase One fixture, defeating the Mexican giants 2–0 in large part thanks to Robinson's standout performance.
The USMNT backup defender, who featured in the 3–2 group stage defeat to Türkiye this summer, anchored the center of Cincinnati's three-man backline for the full 90 minutes. The 29-year-old recorded 10 defensive actions and seven clearances on the way to the clean sheet.
Cincinnati now sit fourth in the Leagues Cup standings, having also claimed a 3–1 win over Pachuca in their opening Leagues Cup fixture on Tuesday night.
Cristian Roldan
Cristian Roldan made his return to competitive football on Sunday for the first time since suffering a devastating injury at the World Cup.
The Seattle Sounders midfielder played 63 minutes in a commanding 3–0 victory over Queretaro FC in Leagues Cup action—the team's first win since early May—coming nearly seven weeks after Roldan strained his quad in the buildup to the USMNT's match against Türkiye. The 31-year-old attempted a rapid recovery to feature in the knockout rounds but ultimately re-injured himself. Roldan was one of only two USMNT players (alongside Chris Brady) who never took the field at any point this summer.
With Roldan now fit once more, he will aim to regain not only peak form but also a central role at the Sounders, who have struggled in the second half of the season. A return to winning form is essential if they are to maintain any realistic hope of reaching the MLS playoffs.
Matt Freese
Matt Freese channeled his inner superhero on Thursday, guiding New York City FC to a 2–0 win against Santos Laguna in their Leagues Cup opener. The 27-year-old USMNT starting goalkeeper produced six saves and 13 recoveries throughout the match, with highlights including a direct free kick stop before the break and a stunning triple-save sequence late in the second half.
It was Freese's first clean sheet since the U.S.'s 2–0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the World Cup round of 32.
USMNT Stock Down
Chris Brady
The problems appear to be piling up for 23-year-old Chris Brady.
Following a largely forgettable outing in goal during Chicago Fire's MLS match against Charlotte FC last week—finishing the game with zero saves and poor long ball accuracy of just 25%—the young USMNT goalkeeper actually bounced back well in his side's Leagues Cup opener on Thursday, making six saves to help secure a shutout against Necaxa. However, things unraveled again for Brady just days later against Santos Laguna.
The USMNT's third-choice goalkeeper took a gamble on Sunday night that backfired, gifting Chicago a goal conceded in the first half. Brady will consider himself fortunate that the error didn't prove costlier, as the Fire responded with three goals of their own to claim a 3–1 Leagues Cup victory.
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In the 20th minute, Brady made a bold dash well outside his penalty area, attempting to reach the ball before striker Ezequiel Bullaude. The Santos forward easily collected the ball around Brady before firing a long-range effort into the empty net to hand his side an early advantage. Brady was left visibly frustrated.
If Brady hopes to earn more playing time under head coach Mauricio Pochettino, he will need to sharpen not only his consistency between the posts, but also his decision-making when assessing the pace and trajectory of the ball—particularly when deciding whether to come off his line.