The key to the success of the United States men’s national team in the upcoming World Cup lies in maintaining good physical condition. Last week, the team celebrated the return of several important players to their clubs. Antonee Robinson, Folarin Balogun, and Ricardo Pepi returned to the starting lineup. The stability in playing time is crucial, so the arrival of Gio Reyna at Borussia Mönchengladbach was welcome news. Although these events did not translate into call-ups for the US selection in September, the situation is positive. Alofoke Deportes will be monitoring the progress of the American players, highlighting those who, due to their performance or physical condition, are more interesting. This is Alofoke Deportes’ “Countdown to the World Cup”.
Contents
We are counting down the weeks until June 11th, so that the announcement of the United States team for the World Cup doesn’t surprise anyone.
Welcome to Alofoke Deportes’ “Countdown to the World Cup”! 288 days to go.Absences in the USMNT squad could affect preparation for the World Cup.
After missing the Gold Cup, Musah has big plans for the USMNT in the World Cup year.
Is Gladbach the place to revive Reyna’s career?
Gio Reyna | Midfielder | Borussia Mönchengladbach
Minutes 2025-26: 0 FotMob Rating 2025-26: 0.0A New Hope in Gladbach
Reyna finalized his expected signing for Borussia Mönchengladbach, after leaving Borussia Dortmund. This change makes sense for several reasons. Reyna will remain in Germany, where he has played professionally since 2020, which avoids cultural adaptation. In addition, he will be with his childhood friend, Joe Scally, with whom he shared a team in the New York City FC academy. Now comes the hard part: playing and avoiding the injuries that have affected him in recent seasons.Antoinee Robinson | Defender | Fulham
Minutes 2025-26: 45 FotMob Rating 2025-26: 6.7The Return of the ‘Jedi’
Robinson reappeared against Manchester United, playing 28 minutes. His return was a bit late to be called up in September. This decision will allow Robinson to improve his physical condition to add more minutes with Fulham.Folarin Balogun | Forward | AS Monaco
Minutes 2025-26: 90 FotMob Rating 2025-26: 6.0Will Balogun surpass Sargent in the fight for the center forward position?
Balogun played the entire match in Monaco’s 1-0 defeat to Lille, accumulating his first minutes of the season after recovering from a calf injury.
The ideal eleven
Coach Pochettino did not call up four of the players for the September window, although Robinson’s absence is understandable. The midfield is the area that generates the most attention, and it goes beyond the exclusion of Weston McKennie.
Johnny Cardoso has increased his playing time with Atlético de Madrid, indicating a stable role with coach Diego Simeone. Tanner Tessmann has had a good start to his second season at Lyon. Aidan Morris from Middlesbrough was named Man of the Match in the last two league games. Tessmann replaces McKennie to line up alongside Tyler Adams and Cardoso, but thoughts are already turning to the October window. If Tessmann and Morris are not called up, it will be seen how far down they are on Pochettino’s list. Mark McKenzie of Toulouse was another surprise omission, as he was considered the main substitute for Tim Ream and Chris Richards in the center of the US defense. Instead, Tristan Blackmon of the Vancouver Whitecaps and Noahkai Banks of FC Augsburg were selected. McKenzie has had consistency issues with the US shirt, but has started well with the French club. Although the sample is small, he has been part of a Toulouse defense that has yet to concede goals. Another consequence of Robinson’s exclusion is that Max Arfsten of the Columbus Crew has the advantage to be the substitute for the Fulham defender. This is a hard blow for John Tolkin. In addition to being a starter in all matches with Holstein Kiel, he has now scored in his last two matches, although the last one against Greuther Fürth was on a counterattack with the opponent out of position due to a corner kick. There’s an aspect to consider regarding the left-back position. Dest played in that position for PSV in the 4-2 victory over Groningen last weekend. If, for some reason, Robinson is unavailable, Pochettino might opt to move Dest and use one of his other right-backs.Player List Update
The USMNT player list was published earlier this month, and each list will provide the basis for weekly player updates. Below are the players’ minutes and ratings. Matt Turner, goalkeeper, New England Revolution: 270 minutes in 2025; 7.6 FotMob rating in 2025. Matt Freese, goalkeeper, New York City FC: 2,340 minutes in 2025; 7.2 FotMob rating in 2025. Zack Steffen, goalkeeper, Colorado Rapids: 1,890 minutes in 2025; 7.0 FotMob rating in 2025. Patrick Schulte, goalkeeper, Columbus Crew: 2,070 minutes in 2025; 6.8 FotMob rating in 2025. Chris Richards, center-back, Crystal Palace: 270 minutes in 2025-26; 7.1 FotMob rating in 2025-26. Tim Ream, central defender, Charlotte FC: 1,892 minutes in 2025; 6.6 FotMob rating in 2025. Mark McKenzie, central defender, Toulouse: 180 minutes in 2025-26; 7.3 FotMob rating in 2025-26. Cameron Carter-Vickers, central defender, Celtic: 390 minutes in 2025-26; 7.7 FotMob rating in 2025-26. Miles Robinson, center back, FC Cincinnati: 2,258 minutes in 2025; 6.9 FotMob rating in 2025. Robinson is simply unlucky. Although Pochettino may have been determined to bring in Blackmon and Banks, it is now a calf injury that prevented him from playing the last two games, giving him little chance. For a player who missed the 2022 World Cup due to a ruptured Achilles tendon, it’s another blow in his attempt to be part of the world team. Auston Trusty, central defender, Celtic: 152 minutes in 2025-26; 6.4 FotMob rating in 2025-26. Sergiño Dest, full-back, PSV Eindhoven: 352 minutes in 2025-26; 8.1 FotMob rating in 2025-26. Antonee Robinson, fullback, Fulham: 28 minutes in 2025-26; 6.2 FotMob rating in 2025-26. Joe Scally, full-back, Borussia Mönchengladbach: 180 minutes in 2025-26; 7.4 FotMob rating in 2025-26. Caleb Wiley, full-back, Watford: 0 minutes in 2025-26; 0.0 FotMob rating in 2025-26. Max Arfsten, full-back, Columbus Crew: 2,330 minutes in 2025; 7.5 FotMob rating in 2025. Alex Freeman, defender, Orlando City SC: 2,352 minutes in 2025; 7.5 FotMob rating in 2025. Tyler Adams, midfielder, AFC Bournemouth: 194 minutes in 2025-26; 6.7 FotMob rating in 2025-26. Weston McKennie, midfielder, Juventus: 1 minute in 2025-26; 0.0 FotMob rating in 2025-26. Johnny Cardoso, midfielder, Atlético de Madrid: 113 minutes in 2025-26; 6.9 FotMob rating in 2025-26. Luca de la Torre, midfielder, San Diego FC: 2,077 minutes in 2025; 6.8 FotMob rating in 2025. Tanner Tessmann, midfielder, Lyon: 180 minutes in 2025-26; 7.6 FotMob rating in 2025-26. Yunus Musah, midfielder, AC Milan: 25 minutes in 2025-26; 6.8 FotMob rating in 2025-26. Will he stay or will he go? Musah was an unused substitute in Milan’s surprising 2-1 home defeat to Cremonese, which did nothing to quell rumors that he could move to Atalanta, Napoli or Nottingham Forest. Musah told Alofoke Deportes that he wants to stay at Milan, but we’ll see if coach Max Allegri rewards that attitude and keeps Musah.
