deadbq03 said:

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The guys in Europe are a big part of what makes it a unique challenge (travel, motivation, cohesion).

Also a European coach simply isn't ready for the CONCACAF ****show. Poch is far better equipped here than Klinsmann was, but he also seemed surprised by certain things.

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But every piece of content shows and suggests that these dudes are as motivated and as cohesive as any national team roster we've ever had. That's honestly the biggest point of confusion for me. As an Arsenal diehard, we all just saw what having an actual group of off the pitch friends can do (and I'm not idiotic enough to suggest that the quality level is in the same universe between those rosters), but the genuine love and motivation for each other typically pays off. It just hasn't here….unless these dudes have already reached their national team ceiling and we're just being greedy, which I know isn't the case

Have yall looked at MLB lately ?

The Americans are all named Caden and mostly grew up in upper middle class.

This is the exact same thing soccer deals with. It's a very expensive sport to play.

Rudyjax said:

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Have yall looked at MLB lately ?

The Americans are all named Caden and mostly grew up in upper middle class.

This is the exact same thing soccer deals with. It's a very expensive sport to play.

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yeah, thanks capt obv. not sure how that pertains to this particular roster though. The US youth system being broken is a diff convo. bigger picture, sure. this WC cycle with a team full of guys playing across top class leagues and teams, nah.

zgolfz85 said:

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Rudyjax said:

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Have yall looked at MLB lately ?

The Americans are all named Caden and mostly grew up in upper middle class.

This is the exact same thing soccer deals with. It's a very expensive sport to play.

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yeah, thanks capt obv. not sure how that pertains to this particular roster though. The US youth system being broken is a diff convo. bigger picture, sure. this WC cycle with a team full of guys playing across top class leagues and teams, nah.

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I never realized pay to play had an impact on other sports.

Sorry iI offended you.

Rudyjax said:

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GREAT NEWS: Rog spoke to spoke to Chris’s agent and he said the injury is MINOR, Chris hopes to be ready for the Conference League Final, and doesn't anticipate him missing a minute of the World Cup 🙏💪 https://t.co/Ad6vDFmHf8

— Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) May 21, 2026

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Glad to hear, hadn't been on TexAgs since yesterday and I've been on an emotional roller coaster reading this thread for the last few minutes.

I have no issues with Gio on the team. His best is still enough to be near the top of the roster, and I will give a bit of grace thinking he's grown up a bit.

We are paper thin in the central midfield though.

The Guardian posted the '26 WC Roster. Not sure how they got a hold of it or if it is even accurate.

Quote:

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Goalkeepers (3): Chris Brady* (Chicago Fire, 0 caps/0 goals), Matt Freese* (New York City, 14/0), Matt Turner (New England Revolution, 53/0)

Defenders (10): Max Arfsten* (Columbus Crew, 18/1), Sergiño Dest (PSV, 37/2), Alex Freeman* (Villarreal, 15/2), Mark McKenzie* (Toulouse, 27/0), Tim Ream (Charlotte FC, 80/1), Chris Richards* (Crystal Palace, 36/3), Antonee Robinson (Fulham, 52/4), Miles Robinson* (FC Cincinnati, 38/3), Joe Scally (Borussia Mönchengladbach, 24/0), Auston Trusty* (Celtic, 6/0)

Midfielders (4): Tyler Adams (AFC Bournemouth, 52/2), Sebastian Berhalter* (Vancouver Whitecaps, 11/1), Weston McKennie (Juventus, 64/12), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders, 45/0)

Attacking midfielders/wingers (6): Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United, 57/9), Christian Pulisic (Milan, 84/32), Gio Reyna (Borussia Mönchengladbach, 36/9), Malik Tillman* (Bayer Leverkusen, 28/3), Tim Weah (Marseille, 49/7), Alejandro Zendejas* (Club Amrica, 13/2)

Strikers (3): Folarin Balogun* (AS Monaco, 25/8), Ricardo Pepi* (PSV, 35/13), Haji Wright (Coventry City, 20/7)

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Assuming it is accurate:

GK: No surprises

Defenders: 5 CB and 5 FB's? Granted Scally and Freeman can play in a back 3 as center back. Scally can also back up both RB and LB as well.

Midfield: Only 4 CM? Surprise that Tessman wasn't included. Could've gone with 4 FB's as Weah can play as FB if needed.

Attackers: Mild surprise that Zendejas was included but he's playing extremely well right now.

Strikers: No Surprises

Guardian Leaks US WC Roster

This team will need Tessman.

Apparently players found out if they were included over the last day or so, probably just them putting together all the pieces.

I like Berhalter on the squad. I think we'll need his creativity

We're still doing the Roldan bit?

No Luna is surprising. Also need Tessman.

zgolfz85 said:

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I like Berhalter on the squad. I think we'll need his creativity

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Yep and best set piece delivery in the pool.

Vibes guy

And Poch loves him

Pahdz said:

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I have no issues with Gio on the team. His best is still enough to be near the top of the roster, and I will give a bit of grace thinking he's grown up a bit.

We are paper thin in the central midfield though.

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'At his best' John O'Brien and Stu Holden were obvious picks too. Injuries and a lack of playing time has increasingly negative retruns on production.

Reyna and Roldan (and likely Aaronson) are helped by an increased roster size and a complete lack of defensive midfielders (and I've been a Roldan apologist since last WC). I think this team is going to go at opponents full throttle and let the defensive chips fall as they may

Thoughts?

My USMNT World Cup starting lineup after the roster was leaked pic.twitter.com/ZLFCnlcHBn

— American Ultras Talk (@usmntaut) May 23, 2026

McKennie is so versatile. We can really change up our attack and defense on a dime.

Flip Weston and Malik and I'm good

My only big miss on the roster is Tessmann. I love the inclusion of Zendejas and don't understand the Roldan thing. Not sure he'll play at all so why not include a young guy like Luna in that spot. At least Luna brings something dynamic and different to this team over Roldan.

jessexy said:

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My only big miss on the roster is Tessmann. I love the inclusion of Zendejas and don't understand the Roldan thing. Not sure he'll play at all so why not include a young guy like Luna in that spot. At least Luna brings something dynamic and different to this team over Roldan.

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Tessman has to be injury related. It's the only thing that makes sense to me.

World Cup squads often have at least one of those veteran/glue guys at the end of the roster, who may situationally play but probably wont.
That's Roldan apparently

I also think McKennie has had most of his success this season playing anywhere but centrally, but we will see

will be interesting to see if Poch can finally get this team to play fluid

Adams yellow-card accumulation or inevitable knock, I dont think Seb is plug and play.
I think Morris is somewhat, but not quite as disruptive. I think Tessman is, with a little better skill on the ball AND gives you cover at CB.

We'll see how it plays out

PatAg said:

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Adams yellow-card accumulation or inevitable knock, I dont think Seb is plug and play.
I think Morris is somewhat, but not quite as disruptive. I think Tessman is, with a little better skill on the ball AND gives you cover at CB.

We'll see how it plays out

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Exactly my concern with that position. With Jonny's injury I thought Tessman for sure was in

He was injured early this season and missed some games, but he's been solid when playing.

This is so corny

Lol everyone has the same outfit and Gio must have forgotten his shoes

Dying of cringe

so no surprises here right? all the leaks appear to be accurate

Somehow Tim Ream returned

Out in Left Field said:

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Somehow Tim Ream returned

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Tim Ream and Roldan are good guys to have if you have the room. I would rather have a guy that can play in the MD, but senior guys they respect are important.

I'm fine with Ream, Roldan seems like a wasted roster spot to me.

Musah, Luna, Tessman were all better options to me than Roldan. But otherwise I think he got it right.

I thought Luna earned and secured a spot last summer. He's a fighter with an aggressive style going to goal and it had appeared he had already proved his value to Poch. I guess not.