ไทย
English
中國人
The 2026 FIFA World Cup has come and gone, and the players of the U.S. men's national team must now shift their focus to what lies ahead. New club seasons across Europe kick off later this month, with numerous players already reporting for preseason training. Major League Soccer, meanwhile, has already resumed its campaign.
While attention is largely fixed on league competition, there is still plenty to celebrate for the Stars and Stripes. U.S. Soccer has officially confirmed the contract extension of head coach Mauricio Pochettino through the 2030 World Cup, an announcement that arrived shortly before the USMNT unveiled its four-game fall schedule—a rivalry-packed slate.
Several USMNT players have also secured lucrative new deals during the summer transfer window, moves that are certain to elevate their standing in Pochettino's eyes.
As the players return to club duties, here's Sports Illustrated's first stock up, stock down breakdown for the USMNT following the World Cup.
USMNT Stock Up
Sebastian Berhalter
Midfielder Sebastian Berhalter, who appeared in all five of the USMNT's matches this summer, completed a transfer from the Vancouver Whitecaps to EFL Championship club Middlesbrough last week. The English side paid a fee in the region of $2 million to bring the American to North Yorkshire after his standout performances on soccer's biggest stage.
Berhalter linked up once again with USMNT teammate and close friend Aidan Morris, who had joined Middlesbrough back in 2024. The 25-year-old made an impressive debut in red during a preseason fixture against Espanyol on Saturday, generating several threatening opportunities and assisting his team's third goal in a 3–3 draw.
USMNT teammate Max Arfsten, who was also part of the World Cup squad, followed Berhalter just days later, signing a deal from Columbus Crew worth $7.5 million. Three Americans are now charged with helping Middlesbrough earn promotion to the Premier League, after the club narrowly missed out last season, falling to Hull City 1–0 in the EFL Championship playoff final in May.
Gio Reyna
On the transfer front, USMNT midfielder Gio Reyna is heading to a new chapter, departing Bundesliga side Borussia Mönchengladbach after sealing a move to Ligue 1 club Racing Strasbourg on Tuesday.
Pochettino took a gamble on the 23-year-old this summer, and it proved worthwhile. Reyna enjoyed a strong World Cup campaign, headlined by a stunning trivela goal in the team's 4–1 victory over Paraguay in the tournament's opening match. Strasbourg took note and handed Reyna the fresh start he so badly needed, after he had drifted to the fringes in Germany and managed just 20 appearances for Mönchengladbach last season.
Reyna will now aim to revive his career and cement himself as a key creative force in midfield for the French club.
Brenden Aaronson
Chicago was treated to a dazzling display from Brenden Aaronson over the weekend when Leeds United squared off against Liverpool in a preseason friendly at Soldier Field.
The 25-year-old American, introduced at halftime with his side trailing 2–0, almost single-handedly sparked Leeds' remarkable second-half turnaround. Aaronson ignited the scoring run with a 60th-minute strike, collecting the ball just inside the area before unleashing a powerful left-footed effort.
His goal proved to be the catalyst Leeds required, as the West Yorkshire club found the net again just 11 minutes later, and again only two minutes after that. Aaronson then provided the assist for the third goal, threading a dangerous cross into the box for Sean Longstaff to convert.
Leeds added a fourth unanswered goal in the 85th minute to leave their opponents stunned. While it was ultimately a preseason affair, the Whites were understandably thrilled to claim such a victory over their long-standing bitter rivals—having beaten Liverpool just once since April 2001.
USMNT Stock Down
Chris Brady
The 23-year-old Chris Brady had a largely forgettable outing in goal during Chicago Fire's MLS encounter with Charlotte FC on Saturday.
His only notable moment came in the 18th minute, when he failed to stop the lone shot the visitors managed on target all evening. He stood and watched as Pep Biel latched onto a through ball played into his box, perhaps left wondering whether he should have come off his line sooner. It was too late to react, as Biel tucked a first-time finish into the roof of the net to hand Charlotte an early advantage at Soldier Field.
Brady finished the night without a single save and with poor long-ball accuracy of just 25%, though Chicago still managed to claim the three points thanks to the heroics of new signing Robert Lewandowski. The former Barcelona legend netted a brace, drawing all the attention away from Brady's underwhelming performance on the night.