USMNT: Deep Dive into the Roster for the 2024 Gold Cup

The Gold Cup and Pochettino’s Challenge

The Gold Cup was anticipated as an opportunity for Mauricio Pochettino to evaluate his main team. Could his players control the matches and generate more goal opportunities? Who would be the starting midfielders? Is Timothy Weah really better on the left wing due to his dominant eye? These were questions that were expected to be answered this summer, but the plans changed with the list of those called up for the tournament.

The notable absences of Christian Pulisic and Antonee Robinson, along with Yunus Musah, all teammates, diminished the tournament’s luster. Weah and Weston McKennie, along with Giovanni Reyna, opted for the new FIFA competition, the Club World Cup. Folarin Balogun and Sergiño Dest withdrew due to injuries. In addition, Joe Scally, Tanner Tessmann, and Josh Sargent, starters in the shocking 1-0 defeat to Panama in the Nations League, were also excluded from the call-up.

These absences, which total between five and nine possible starters, leave questions about the team’s performance. The depth of the USMNT will be put to the test this summer.

To assess the situation, the exercise from the previous summer is repeated, ranking the top 15 players in each position for the USMNT. The rankings combine form, potential, and Pochettino’s preferences in previous call-ups. The goal is not to determine the fourteenth-best center-back, but to identify talent and areas that could improve.

USMNT: Deep Dive into the Roster for the 2024 Gold Cup

With the US team in a state of change before the Gold Cup, it’s a good time to assess their strength and depth across the field.

Goalkeepers

Matt Turner, Crystal Palace
Patrick Schulte, Columbus Crew
Zack Steffen, Colorado Rapids
Matthew Freese, New York City FC
Chris Brady, Chicago Fire FC
Diego Kochen, Barcelona
Ethan Horvath, Cardiff City
Roman Celentano, FC Cincinnati
Jonathan Klinsmann, Cesena
Gaga Slonina, Chelsea
Brad Stuver, Austin FC
Sean Johnson, Toronto FC
John Pulskamp, Sporting Kansas City
Joe Willis, Nashville SC

It used to be a strong position for the USMNT, and now it’s probably the weakest point. But I’m not sure it’s as bad as it seems.
Statement from the previous summer

Turner, despite not having many minutes in the Premier League, showed a good performance. Although the MLS options don’t stand out, Turner will remain the starter until he proves otherwise.

Right Back

Sergiño Dest, PSV Eindhoven
Joe Scally, Borussia Monchengladbach
Alex Freeman, Orlando City SC
Nathan Harriel, Philadelphia Union
Marlon Fossey, Standard Liege
Shaq Moore, FC Dallas
Bryan Reynolds, Westerlo
DeAndre Yedlin, FC Cincinnati
Reggie Cannon, Colorado Rapids
Griffin Dorsey, Houston Dynamo FC
Brooks Lennon, Atlanta United FC
Jake Davis, Sporting Kansas City
Bode Hidalgo, Real Salt Lake
Kyle Duncan, New York Red Bulls
Keegan Rosenberry, Colorado Rapids

The depth is better than it seems, with Musah and Weah capable of playing in this position. However, the situation seems to be “Dest or bust.” Dest, with his game-changing ability, is fundamental at the international level. Although it would be ideal for another player with good ball control to emerge, Dest is a Champions League-level attacking full-back.

Center Back

Chris Richards, Crystal Palace
Tim Ream, Charlotte FC
Mark McKenzie, Toulouse
Miles Robinson, FC Cincinnati
Cameron Carter-Vickers, Celtic
Auston Trusty, Celtic
Walker Zimmerman, Nashville SC
George Campbell, CF Montréal
Tristan Blackmon, Vancouver Whitecaps
Jalen Neal, CF Montréal
Noahkai Banks, FC Augsburg
Jackson Ragen, Seattle Sounders FC
Justen Glad, Real Salt Lake
Aaron Long, LAFC
Matt Miazga, FC Cincinnati

The key questions at center-back are who will partner Richards and whether Richards will perform at a high level with the USMNT. Ream, at 38 in the next World Cup, raises doubts about his ability to be a starter. It is suggested that Pochettino consider McKenzie and Robinson alongside Richards. Robinson might have a higher potential, but McKenzie has shown more consistency.

Left Wing

Antonee Robinson, Fulham
Max Arfsten, Columbus Crew
DeJuan Jones, San Jose Earthquakes
John Tolkin, Holstein Kiel
Kristoffer Lund, Palermo
Caleb Wiley, Chelsea
George Bello, LASK Linz
Ryan Hollingshead, LAFC
Kevin O’Toole, New York City FC
John Nelson, LA Galaxy
Andrew Gutman, Chicago Fire
Sam Junqua, Real Salt Lake
Marco Farfan, FC Dallas
Anthony Markanich, Minnesota United FC
Jonathan Gomez, PAOK Salonika

Arfsten is the only left-back in the initial Gold Cup roster, although Tolkin was added, suggesting he will play a lot. The situation is similar to that of the right-back: Robinson is the key player. Robinson is one of the most athletic left-backs in the world and could have been the best left-back in the Premier League last season.

Defensive Midfield

Tyler Adams, AFC Bournemouth
Johnny Cardoso, Real Betis
Tanner Tessmann, Lyon
Sean Zawadzki, Columbus Crew
Aidan Morris, Middlesbrough
Maxi Dietz, SpVgg Greuther Furth
Emeka Eneli, Real Salt Lake
Lennard Maloney, Heidenheim
James Sands, St. Pauli
Santiago Castaneda, Paderborn
Keaton Parks, New York City FC
Kellyn Acosta, Chicago Fire FC
Edwin Cerrillo, LA Galaxy
Wil Trapp, Minnesota United FC
Daniel Edelman, New York Red Bulls

There is good depth in this key position. Adams played an important role at Bournemouth, and Cardoso established himself at Real Betis. The Adams-Cardoso duo could be key in the World Cup. Tessmann became a starter at Lyon, Zawadzki was on the initial Gold Cup roster, and Morris had a good season at Middlesbrough. The midfield has become a team strength.

Central Midfield