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Mauricio Pochettino likely already has his list finalized. As he gears up to announce his 26-man World Cup squad on May 26, he has probably already mapped out the roster and is simply monitoring any potential injuries before making it public.
Yet, with no official announcement made, there is still technically a window for players to earn a spot, and the weekend's fixtures, coming less than two weeks before the announcement, may have represented the last chance to do so.
For some, it served as that final audition week, while others closed out their seasons with championship-clinching performances and now shift their attention toward the summer's biggest stage.
Here, Sports Illustrated breaks down the standout USMNT performances and moments from the past week.
Zavier Gozo
There has been considerable buzz surrounding Zavier Gozo's potential, and the young talent is pushing not only for future World Cup consideration, but to earn a spot on the roster for this summer's tournament. At this stage, there is little more the 19-year-old could do, performing at an outstanding level with Real Salt Lake, tallying six goals and four assists through the opening 13 matches of the season.
Operating primarily as a right midfielder, while also featuring as a right wingback and forward this season, Gozo has been among the standout performers in MLS, regardless of age. This weekend, he found the net in Salt Lake's 2–1 Rocky Mountain Cup victory over the Colorado Rapids, displaying his explosive acceleration, sharp off-ball movement, and nimble dribbling, following a brace in midweek action against the Houston Dynamo.
Zavier Gozo scores his fourth goal in four games!@realsaltlake are level! pic.twitter.com/LS3PiobTxJ
This weekend, he was the standout performer on the field against Colorado. He created an early opportunity by varying his pace on the dribble and cutting inside to beat Kosi Thompson, before converting off a rebound in the 36th minute. However, it was his showing against Houston that provided the clearest glimpse of his potential and distinctive skillset heading into the summer.
On his opening goal against the Dynamo, he quickly assessed the opportunity that emerged when DeAndre Yedlin received possession in the defensive half, with plenty of space ahead to exploit.
Gozo continuously scanned the gaps in Houston's defensive line, repeatedly adjusting the pace and angle of his run, both to position himself for a scoring chance and to keep the threat of a Yedlin shot alive, forcing the Dynamo to account for both possibilities. As shown below, his shift in direction and deceleration in the final moments sets up the play perfectly, before Yedlin threads him through for a clean, toe-punt finish.
Those off-ball contributions can prove invaluable late in a World Cup match, when opponents are worn down by relentless pressing and the heat, leaving youthful energy and movement as potential game-changers, even against the planet's elite.
Should he earn a place on the World Cup squad, he would become just the third teenager in USMNT history to do so, following in the footsteps of Julian Green in 2018 and Yunus Musah at the 2022 tournament.
Antonee Robinson
Antonee Robinson gave himself a welcome confidence boost on Sunday, netting his first Premier League goal for Fulham, his fourth across all competitions in 214 appearances for the club.
The likely World Cup starting left back calmly converted a penalty kick in first-half stoppage time, as the Cottagers played out a 1–1 draw with already-relegated and bottom-placed Wolves. He was also lively throughout the match, leading all players with 96 touches, six passes into the final third, and 10 defensive actions.
While knee, hamstring, and ankle injuries had raised concerns about his availability for this summer's tournament, his strong form since returning to action in December has seen him rediscover his best level. He will now look ahead to the club's season finale against Newcastle United next weekend, before turning his attention to the USMNT, where he will be deployed either as a transition-oriented left wingback or a conventional left back at his second World Cup.
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Auston Trusty
If winning can become second nature, then Auston Trusty and Ricardo Pepi are getting quite comfortable with it. While it would take a remarkable run for them to lift the World Cup with the USMNT this summer, they at least have some experience with the feeling should the moment come.
This weekend saw both players claim domestic league titles, with Trusty's Celtic grabbing the global spotlight with a 3–1 victory over Hearts on the final day of the Scottish Premier League's championship round. Hearts had entered the matchday at the top of the table and would have secured the first title not claimed by Celtic or Rangers since 1985 with just a draw or a win.
🍀 GOOSEBUMPS!
You'll Never Walk Alone echoes around Celtic Park 🔊 pic.twitter.com/dQKbzDM2vD
Instead, Celtic triumphed, with Trusty claiming his fifth league championship and restoring the Bhoys to glory following a turbulent season that included two managerial stints from Martin O'Neill, sandwiching a brief and dismal eight-game spell under Wilfried Nancy.
Trusty played the full 90 minutes as his side won by the narrowest of margins, with Daizen Maeda netting the 2–1 goal in the 86th minute before Callum Osmond added a late insurance strike in stoppage time. The Hoops will have another opportunity to add silverware next week, taking on Scottish Championship side Dunfermline Athletic to wrap up the 2025–26 campaign.
Over in the Netherlands, Ricardo Pepi netted his 16th Eredivisie goal of the campaign in a 5–1 final-day victory over FC Twente, stretching PSV's already-secured title lead to a commanding 19 points. His strike was the last goal of the season for the Dutch champions, sending both himself and fellow USMNT standout Sergiño Dest into the World Cup on the back of a trophy-winning campaign.