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Time is running out ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and windows for players to make their case are narrowing fast, with national teams required to submit their rosters to FIFA by May 30.
As the buildup to the U.S. men's national team's tournament opener against Paraguay on June 12 intensifies, manager Mauricio Pochettino is keeping a close eye on form to ensure he selects the right players to suit his preferred system.
Over the past week, U.S. players have earned promotions, delivered standout showings in continental competitions and much more.
Here, Sports Illustrated breaks down the stock up, stock down analysis for the Stars and Stripes.
Stock Up: Haji Wright
More Americans are making their way to the Premier League. On Friday, Haji Wright came off the bench for 28 minutes in Coventry City's 1–1 draw with Blackburn Rovers, helping his club secure promotion back to England's top flight for the first time in 25 years.
Although Wright didn't find the net, registering just one shot after coming on in the 62nd minute, his role in the club's promotion push has been crucial. This campaign, he has tallied 16 goals and one assist across 29 Championship appearances, placing him second in the Golden Boot standings behind Swansea City's Žan Vipotnik.
Reporting live from Coventry: Haji Wright and @Coventry_City are PREMIER LEAGUE! 👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/Pxpi0qcpWG
Given his goal-scoring record and the likelihood of remaining at Coventry as they step up to the Premier League, Wright's case for a World Cup roster spot has only grown stronger. Meanwhile, with several attackers struggling for goals, having a player in sharp form could prove valuable, even as a squad option outside the starting eleven.
Stock Up: Brenden Aaronson
Brenden Aaronson is having one of his finest seasons at Leeds United and is hoping his displays will be enough to earn him a spot in the USMNT's World Cup squad.
He featured for 86 minutes in Monday's Premier League match against Manchester United, contributing energetic play and an assist on a day when Noah Okafor scored twice, as Leeds defeated the Red Devils 2–1 at Old Trafford.
Beyond his assist, Aaronson also created multiple chances and drove attacking momentum in a crucial victory for a Leeds side not entirely safe from relegation. He now has four goals and four assists in 31 Premier League outings this season, with the 26-year-old hoping it earns him a second World Cup appearance after making his debut at the tournament in Qatar four years ago.
While the threat of relegation lingers, Aaronson and Leeds are focused on their FA Cup semifinal against Chelsea, having eliminated West Ham United in the quarterfinal, with the chance to claim Leeds' first FA Cup title since 1972.
"The biggest thing was the Premier League, staying up and just having a great season, which I think we've done and we've put ourselves in a great position," Aaronson told ESPN. "And then the cherry on top is being in the FA Cup and getting to the semifinals ... It's going to be a massive game for this club and for this team."
Stock Up: Chris Richards
Chris Richards 😳 pic.twitter.com/a9atMPjVVP
Chris Richards has cemented himself as a defensive cornerstone for both the USMNT and Crystal Palace over the last two seasons. His stock rose further with an impressive outing against Italy's Fiorentina in Conference League play.
Despite a 2–1 defeat on the night, Palace progressed to the Conference League semifinals 4–2 on aggregate. The Birmingham, Alabama native was a commanding presence in the Eagles' back three, recording 10 defensive actions and nine clearances over 90 minutes, holding firm even as the Serie A club pushed for late goals.
That display followed a dominant performance on Sunday against Newcastle United, where he delivered fierce tackles and racked up nine defensive contributions as Palace claimed an exciting 2–1 victory, with Jean-Philippe Mateta completing his brace via a 94th-minute penalty.
Stock Down: Christian Pulisic
Were it not for his name and the heights he reached earlier in his career, the AC Milan forward might realistically be in danger of missing the World Cup roster this summer. Since the turn of 2026, he has been far from his best for both club and country, and this week brought no improvement to that run of form.
The 27-year-old has now gone 17 games without a goal for Milan after failing to score in a 3–0 defeat to Udinese, where he couldn't manage a single shot on target despite three attempts. Since his last goal, he has contributed only one assist, against Torino in March. It comes as little surprise that he was unable to produce any meaningful moments for the USMNT in matches against Portugal and Belgium.
There is still time for Pulisic to rediscover his best form before the World Cup, but without him firing on all cylinders, the USMNT is missing a key difference-maker capable of propelling them deep into the tournament.
Stock Down: Tim Ream
Tim Ream's experience remains an important asset for the USMNT, but his recent outings with Charlotte FC raise questions about the level he can consistently deliver when facing some of the world's most dangerous attackers.
In his most recent MLS outing, Ream and Charlotte suffered a 2–1 loss to a heavily rotated Nashville SC side that had been prioritizing Concacaf Champions Cup commitments. While that result might have been understandable against the dangerous combination of Sam Surridge, Hany Mukhtar and Christian Espinoza, it was a troubling outcome for Ream's defense against Nashville's fringe attackers.
He finished the match with just seven defensive contributions and was unable to shore up an already vulnerable backline, most notably when Australian international—and potential World Cup opponent—Patrick Yazbek burst past him to score.