When the U.S. men’s national team confirmed its final friendly matches against Belgium and Portugal ahead of the 2026 World Cup, it set the stage for critical assessments against two European squads likely to progress deep into the tournament. These encounters are particularly significant as they will gauge America’s preparedness for the high-stakes matches that await in Group D. Interestingly, Belgium and Portugal were also the opponents during the 2014 World Cup, making this a notable, though not quite a reunion.
However, this matchup will lack key figures from that prior encounter. Belgium will be without stars Romelu Lukaku and Thibaut Courtois, both of whom played in the 2014 round of 16 clash that marked the end of the U.S. journey. Portugal, on the other hand, will miss Cristiano Ronaldo due to injury, which may dampen the ticket demand for what could have been a thrilling event in Atlanta.
As it stands, the key focus is finalizing the roster for Manager Mauricio Pochettino’s 26-player squad as the tournament approaches.
Potential Starting Goalkeeper: Matt Freeze
Pochettino has yet to settle on a definitive starting goalkeeper during his tenure, a situation that may change soon. Utilizing the 2025 Gold Cup as a gauge, he entrusted Matt Freeze, the goalkeeper for New York City FC, with a critical role. This decision arose not from a lack of options, as 2022 World Cup starter Matt Turner has been part of the squad throughout this period. Pochettino aimed to secure a reliable second option, and Freeze made a compelling case by defeating Costa Rican standout Keylor Navas in a quarter-final shootout.
Since October 12, 2024, Pochettino has fielded Turner in seven matches, the most recent being a friendly against Switzerland, which ended in a 4-0 defeat. In contrast, Freeze has been the starting goalkeeper for 13 of the last 14 U.S. matches; however, his debut came during a 2-1 loss to Turkey in a Gold Cup tune-up. For most coaches, such an experience would hinder a player, yet it may simply set the stage for his World Cup opportunity.
The stakes are high. Should Freeze start in the upcoming matches against Belgium and Portugal, he may step into the shoes of Tony Meola as the goalkeeper for the U.S. during its home World Cup. Conversely, if Turner is chosen to start, it may indicate late-game indecision regarding the starting role.
Beneath the main competition for starting goalkeeper is an emerging battle for the third choice. Patrick Schulte appears to hold an advantage after his performance in the 2024 Olympics and the 2023 MLS Cup victory. At just 25, he looks poised to make a significant impact, while 22-year-old Chris Brady represents a future prospect, although he still lags behind in overall experience.
Assessing Full-Back Roles
In September, Pochettino added depth to his backline, a strategic move aimed at strengthening the team’s relatively thin defensive unit. Performances during this period have laid the groundwork for an evolving style of play marked by consistent patterns and off-ball movements, whether he deploys two or three center-backs.
The latter option has become crucial given the program’s limited availability of center-backs. Chris Richards has emerged as a key player, showcasing the movement, discipline, and leadership necessary for the national team. Often partnering with Tim Ream, including during the 2024 Copa America, questions have arisen regarding the 38-year-old’s mobility and whether he should maintain a starting role in the World Cup.
Mark McKenzie has been performing well at Toulouse, with his ball-handling skills likely to complement Richards effectively. Myles Robinson, a powerful aerial presence, has struggled alongside the other players from Cincinnati, yet has made valuable contributions to the U.S. national team. The younger Auston Trusty offers considerable experience from his stint at Celtic, though he has only five caps to his name.
Pochettino’s unexpected decision to allow one of his full-backs to advance during build-up play, effectively serving as a third center-back in defense, represents a notable tactical shift for the U.S. national team. While this approach is common in European football, it marks one of the first such attempts for the U.S.
This shift raises questions about the effectiveness of Anthony Robinson in a more advanced role versus maintaining him as a supplementary left center-back. While capable of delivering significant crosses, Robinson has not featured under Pochettino since November 2024 and remains untested in the current setup. Keeping him in defense could also alleviate some tracking back duties for Christian Pulisic, which could benefit the U.S. offensive strategy.
Midfield Dynamics
Pochettino’s midfield selection will be critical as he surges into the final stages of preparation. He is likely to field three players, connecting the front and back lines, potentially including Pulisic, Weah, and Folarin Balogun. The success of the previous cycle saw the trio of Weston McKennie, Yunus Musah, and Tyler Adams forming a formidable midfield partnership, but Musah’s absence since March 2025 complicates matters.
Currently, Tyler Adams is sidelined due to a quadriceps injury, although Bournemouth expects him to be fit soon. Cristian Roldan stands to solidify his position as a secondary defensive midfielder, potentially even earning a starting role during the group stage given Adams’ injury history. Roldan has shown extraordinary growth post-2022 World Cup, becoming one of the standout defensive midfielders in MLS.
Even greater competition looms in the center of the park. McKechnie is a pivotal player whose on-ball performance has significantly improved since Qatar, showcasing enhanced positional sense that complements his teammates’ movements.
There’s also the potential for Sebastian Berhalter, who has emerged as a consistent performer in recent appearances, to anchor the midfield. With impressive passing ability and a burgeoning understanding of the game, the 24-year-old is a valuable asset. Meanwhile, Aidan Morris, Tanner Tessman, and Johnny Cardoso will be vying for inclusion in the final midfield unit. Morris has proven himself versatile at Middlesbrough, while Tessman’s leadership as captain of the Olympic team aids his credentials. Cardoso, playing for Atletico Madrid, must impress Pochettino after a challenging start to his time in Spain.
If McKennie shifts to a more advanced role, it may affect the minutes for Malik Tillman and Gio Reyna. Tillman, distinguished at the 2023 Gold Cup, hasn’t consistently performed at his peak when denied his preferred number 10 position. Reyna’s transition to Borussia Mönchengladbach has also been far from ideal, limiting his playing time and opportunities.
Despite these challenges, the 23-year-old is not alone as Diego Luna has also been less than fully fit. Reyna possesses a tenacity and skill set that allows him to thrive in national team settings, regardless of recent playing time. With two more friendly matches ahead, he has the chance to prove to Pochettino that he deserves a spot, leveraging his ability to navigate tight spaces and deliver precise passes.
Predicted Lineup
For the match against Belgium, I envision a lineup that includes Freeze; A. Robinson – McKenzie – Richards – Freeman; Morris – Roldan; Pulisic – Reyna – Weah; and Balogun.
Looking ahead to the World Cup, the best projected eleven may feature: Freeze; A. Robinson – McKenzie – Richards – Freeman; Berhalter – Adams; Pulisic – McKennie – Weah; and Balogun.
