Mauricio Pochettino has just about reached his one-year mark in charge of the U.S. men’s وطني team. It’s been an up-and-down year, to say the least, with the USMNT winning just nine of his first 16 games at the helm. Yet, with just 10 months remaining until the World Cup, there’s reason for optimism as several of the USMNT’s top stars begin to kick off their seasons in Europe.
The weeks since the USMNT’s Gold Cup final loss to Mexico have been a wild ride, just as the tournament itself was. There have been several massive transfers, including some of the team’s most important players. There have also been moves for several players looking to rise up the ranks.
The weight of the World Cup is felt by all, particularly as seasons fully start in Europe. Where do the top USMNT players stand? Who is ready to flourish, and who still has a point to prove?
BALLGM breaks down the top 10 Americans Abroad.
Mauricio Pochettino has just about reached his one-year mark in charge of the U.S. men’s national team. It’s been an up-and-down year, to say the least, with the USMNT winning just nine of his first 16 games at the helm. Yet, with just 10 months remaining until the World Cup, there’s reason for optimism as several of the USMNT’s top stars begin to kick off their seasons in Europe.
The weeks since the USMNT’s Gold Cup final loss to Mexico have been a wild ride, just as the tournament itself was. There have been several massive transfers, including some of the team’s most important players. There have also been moves for several players looking to rise up the ranks.
The weight of the World Cup is felt by all, particularly as seasons fully start in Europe. Where do the top USMNT players stand? Who is ready to flourish, and who still has a point to prove?
بالجم breaks down the top 10 Americans Abroad.
A difficult one to place because he has been so Jekyll and Hyde. With the USMNT, he’s never really broken out. But at the club level? He’s been spectacular.
That’s why Cardoso is now with أتلتيكو مدريد, having made a big-money move from Real Betis this summer. Since arriving in إسبانيا, Cardoso has proven to be one of La Liga’s top midfielders, earning a spot with one of La Liga’s top clubs. He’ll now work under manager Diego Simeone, whose ferocity and intensity are the stuff of legend.
If Simeone sees something in Cardoso, there has to be something there. Now, about translating to the USMNT… We’ll have to see if Cardoso gets another chance to do so in September after dealing with injuries throughout the summer run.
It’s easy to forget just how good Dest is in a USMNT shirt, largely because it’s been so long since we’ve seen it. Dest is back, though, and already starring for PSV – a huge development for both the Dutch club and the national team.
After returning from his ACL tear towards the end of last season, Dest looks back to his best to start this campaign. He scored the game-winner in PSV’s Supercup win over Go Ahead Eagles, offering a swift reminder of what he adds to the attack. The U.S. has lacked that since his injury, but the good news is that they should have it in September.
Like Cardoso, Weah made a big decision this summer, sealing the switch to Marseille. He leaves Juventus for a return to الدوري الفرنسي 1 and joins the club his father played for in his final stop in Europe. It’s a cool move, in that regard. It’s also one that is vital for the USMNT.
Weah was involved at Juve, but was never really given the freedom or backing of a starter. Perhaps he’ll get that at Marseille. His versatility will surely be an asset, as new manager Roberto De Zerbi could count on the American to play in any number of positions at a high level.
The USMNT, meanwhile, will just want Weah playing after missing their winger so much during this summer because of the Club World Cup commitment.
Another PSV star on the list, and another PSV star on his way back from injury. Pepi, who is now PSV’s go-to No. 9, has been featuring throughout preseason as the club looks to build him up following his own long-term absence.
He featured off the bench in the win over Go Ahead Eagles but, make no mistake: PSV has positioned Pepi to be the guy this season. Pepi will not feature this weekend, due to “fluid in his knee,” per manager Peter Bosz.
But bigger picture, If he can hit last season’s numbers – which came largely as second choice – Pepi could put up Golden Boot numbers this season.
The harder circumstances push against McKennie, the stronger he gets. As a result, he’s back at Juventus once again for the Serie A season, having proven more than capable of being a solid contributor for the Old Lady.
Juve have gone so far as to give him the captain’s armband several times, but that doesn’t mean the pressure is off. It never is at Juve, to be fair, but the rumblings about McKennie’s future will continue until he signs a new contract.
Even with that lingering in the background, McKennie remains a do-it-all midfielder for club and country as he heads into another season with a true superpower club.
A few months ago, Tillman likely would have been lower on this list. A breakout Gold Cup changed that. Yes, the Gold Cup comes with a caveat, given the level of competition, but there’s no doubting that Tillman took his long-awaited opportunity to be the focal point of the USMNT and ran with it.
That happened all while Tillman prepped for a big move back to ألمانيا, where he’s joined one of the الدوري الألماني‘s best teams, باير ليفركوزن. Previously a player fighting for minutes, Tillman now looks like a potential starter. He could lock his spot up with a strong start in Germany.
Adams was one of the few 2022 World Cup pillars to show up this summer and, while he seemingly wasn’t at his best for a large portion of the tournament, the Gold Cup did show how vital he is.
The midfielder remains such an important piece of the USMNT spine, one with irreplaceable defensive chops and attitude. He served as captain in 2022 for a reason and, while there’s no guarantee he’ll get the armband again in 2026, Adams remains one of this team’s key leaders – one that can set the tone with both his play on the field and his voice.
Robinson was arguably the best fullback in the Premier League last season, even as an injury slowed him at the end of the campaign. A summer surgery will delay his Premier League start but, when he is healthy, there’s no doubting Robinson’s credentials.
The fourth-leading assist provider in إنجلترا‘s top flight last season, Robinson is a dangerous attacking weapon, but what makes him unique is that there’s no dropoff on the defensive side, either. It’s why the U.S. has missed him so much during the last few camps.
There are fullbacks that can attack and fullbacks that can defend. None do both quite like Robinson. Fulham will need that, too, as they look to improve on a decent finish last season, one very much spurred on by the danger Robinson created out wide.
Make that two trophies for Richards now at Palace. What a run this has been. After taking down mighty Manchester City in the FA Cup final earlier this year, Richards and Palace stood up to favorites Liverpool to lift the Community Shield to start this season.
Sandwiched between that was a crucial USMNT run, one in which the centerback blossomed as a leader. He is now more than ready to use his voice going forward with the national team. Palace will face some challenges this season, particularly if Marc Guehi leaves, but Richards is a much better player than he was at this time last season.
Forget about all of the drama and controversy of this summer. Pulisic is not ceding this spot.
The American star was at his best last season, emerging as a key cog for AC Milan, one of the world’s biggest clubs. Yes, that club has been underperforming, but Pulisic has been one of the few keeping them afloat. He’ll be expected to do even more this seasonunder new coach Massimiliano Allegri.
He’ll also have tomend fences with another coach, Pochettino, following this summer’s chaos. But Pulisic is talented enough to figure all of this out. That’s why he’s still at the top of the list, and that’s why expectations remain high for a player who will continue to be the star of this USMNT. He now has the chance to prove that, again, for club and country.