Mauricio Pochettino started its tenure as a chief coach of the American national male team with a dynamic exposure and a Road Road Trip. He supervised delicate but comfortable Win on JamaicaThen the friendly friendly matches in January. Now, in March, comes his first real test – and with him his first substantial list.
Pocket named this listTuesday Tuesday, a team of 23 men for the final of the League of Concacaf Nations next week. He presents all the familiar names you expect: Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Tim Weah, Antonee Robinson and others.
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He also presents Diego Luna, Patrick Agyemang and Brian White, three MLS attackers who were called to help the sick depth of the USMNT.
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The inclusions of Agyemang and White are not surprising. The two started and scored in these January friendly matches, when all European players were not available. And their competitors for a few minutes, the strikers who have become USMNT's pillars in the past two years have been injured. Folarin Balogun, Ricardo Pepi, Haji Wright and Daryl Dike are either sidelined or taking the physical form. Among the regulars, only Josh Sargent is available to direct the American line.
Luna's inclusion, however, turns out. Pochettino chose it for players such as Brenden Aaronson, Paxtren Aaronson and Alex Zendejas. Brenden, the eldest of the Aaronson brothers, has played 47 games for the USMNT since 2020, and is a starter of each week for Leeds United at the top of the English championship. Zendejas recently led the American club to a Liga MX title. Luna, who did not even make the Olympic team mainly under 23 of the United States last summer, never played at a higher level than Real Salt Lake in MLS.
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But the 21 -year -old inventive attacking midfielder made an impression on Pocsettino in January. Against Costa Rica, he was bloodied by a elbow in the face … and a few minutes later, with a broken nose that would soon be require surgeryAfter pleading with doctors and Pochettino to stay in the game, Luna returned and helped the opening goal of the USMNT.
“Large balls,” Pochettino said later From her reaction to Luna's performance. “He showed a great character.”
That he gets a few minutes in March is another question. He is still behind Pulisic, Weah, Gio Reyna and Yunus Musah on a table of depth of fluid attack. (And behind Malik Tillman, who had a great season for PSV Eindhoven before under an ankle injury in January.)
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But Luna is a fascinating perspective, a Unconventional and daring creatorwhich has clearly caught the pocket eye.
“He's a player,” said Pochettino on Tuesday, “it can provide different things during the match.”
One day, it has the potential to be an A-Team difference manufacturer. And maybe one day is next week.
USMNT list for the Concacaf 2025 Nations League final
The following is the list of the United States completed for the semi-final of the League of Nations next Thursday against Panama, and a final match or third three days later.
Goalkeepers (3): Patrick Schulte (Columbus Crew), Zack Steffen (Colorado Rapids), Matt Turner (Crystal Palace)
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Defenders (8): Cameron Carter-Vickers (Celtic), Marlon Fossey (Standard Liege), Mark McKenzie (Toulouse), Tim Ream (Charlotte FC), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace), Antonee Robinson (Fulham), Joe Scally (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Auston Trusy (Celtic).
Midfielder (6): Tyler Adams (Bournemouth), Johnny Cardoso (Real Betis), Diego Luna (Real Salt Lake), Weston McKennie (Juventus), Gio Reyna (Borussia Dortmund), Tanner Tessmann (Olympique Lyon)
Before (6): Patrick Agyemang (Charlotte FC), Yunus Musah (AC Milan), Christian Pulisic (AC Milan), Josh Sargent (Norwich City), Timothy Weah (Juventus), Brian White (Vancouver Whitecaps)
More USMNT list notes
In particular, Luna is listed as a midfielder, while Musah, generally a central midfielder under the previous trainer of the USMNT, Gregg Berhalter, is listed as an attacker. Musah played in a hybrid right role under Pochettino in the fall, and more recently for AC Milan. Pochettino seems to see the 22 -year -old in the future.
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Elsewhere, Reyna, Tyler Adams and Cameron Carter-Vickers return to the American camp for the first time under Pochettino.
Carter-Vickers and his club teammate, Auston Trusty, are two of the five central backs. Pochettino, partly due to the availability of players, partly due to tactical preferences, preferred to charge his lists with central defenders while highlighting the rear. With Sergiño Dest only Return from his LCA injuryMarlon Fossey is the only real backup of Antonee Robinson and Joe Scally.
At the goalkeeper, Patrick Schulte and Zack Steffen seem to be the favorite pocket reserves behind Matt Turner. This position is alarming.
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But the list, in general, is strong.
Adams finally plays regularly for Bournemouth in the Premier League (and fighting for European places).
Chris Richards is an element for a team from Crystal Palace which has been one of the best in England in recent months.
McKennie, Pulisic and Robinson recently captured their clubs.
Johnny Cardoso, a regular starter in Spain, scored in Betis' victory over Real Madrid.
Pochettino, speaking on Tuesday, called Sargent “the most fit attacker” in the English championship.
The lack of playing time that tormented the USMNT last year entering the COPA AOS is no longer a problem. And the United States will be favored to win a fourth consecutive title in the League of Nations.
Screened usmnt starting 11
The USMNT probably started 11 for the semi-final, in a 4-2-3-1, is:
Matt Turner; Joe Scally, Chris Richards, Tim Ream, Antonee Robinson; Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie; Yunus Musah, Christian Pulisic, Tim Weah; Josh Sargent.
