USMNT's Final World Cup Preparations: Belgium and Portugal Friendlies
Mauricio Pochettino's United States men's national team is set to confront Belgium and Portugal in their concluding friendly matches before the 2026 World Cup roster is officially announced. These fixtures represent critical tests against European sides anticipated to progress deep into the tournament, offering a valuable assessment of the US team's preparedness for potential high-stakes encounters should they advance from Group D. Interestingly, both opponents also featured in the US's 2014 World Cup campaign, though this will not serve as a nostalgic reunion.
Goalkeeper Conundrum: Freese Versus Turner
Throughout his tenure, Pochettino has refrained from definitively naming a first-choice goalkeeper, but this ambiguity cannot persist indefinitely. The 2025 Gold Cup provided Matt Freese with a rigorous trial, as the New York City FC goalkeeper started every match, including the final, despite Matt Turner's availability. Since Pochettino's debut match on 12 October 2024, Turner has started seven games, while Freese has started 13 of the last 14, suggesting he may be the preferred option for the World Cup.
The upcoming friendlies will likely resolve this competition: if Freese starts against Belgium and Portugal, he will almost certainly be the starting goalkeeper for the home World Cup. Conversely, a start for Turner could indicate lingering uncertainty. Additionally, the battle for the third goalkeeper spot involves Patrick Schulte, who has big-game experience from the 2024 Olympics and MLS Cup 2023, and the promising but raw 22-year-old Chris Brady, a prospect for future tournaments.
Defensive Dynamics: Full-Backs and Center-Backs
In September, Pochettino adapted to defensive limitations by deploying an extra defender, establishing a foundation for the team's evolving style. This adjustment is particularly vital given the relative scarcity of center-backs. Chris Richards has emerged as a reliable anchor, but questions surround 38-year-old Tim Ream's mobility for regular World Cup starts. Mark McKenzie's ball-playing abilities could complement Richards, while Miles Robinson offers aerial strength despite recent struggles with FC Cincinnati. Auston Trusty, with five caps at age 27, brings experience against defensive opponents.
A key tactical innovation involves allowing one full-back to advance in buildup while the opposite side acts as a third center-back, a role sometimes termed an "elbow-back." While Antonee Robinson might seem the natural choice for the advanced role, his absence since November 2024 leaves him untested in this system. Alternatively, using Robinson as an auxiliary left center-back could reduce defensive duties for Christian Pulisic. On the right, Tim Weah's two-way experience and Alex Freeman's success in this hybrid role with Orlando City provide capable options.
Midfield Puzzles: Selection Headaches and Key Absences
Pochettino faces welcome selection challenges in midfield, likely opting for a trio to connect defence and attack. The famed "MMA" combination of Weston McKennie, Yunus Musah, and Tyler Adams from the last cycle is disrupted, with Musah absent since March 2025 and Adams sidelined due to a quadricep injury, though he is expected to return soon. Cristian Roldan could secure the defensive midfield deputy role, having reinvented himself as one of MLS's top players in that position.
Competition remains fierce in central areas. McKennie's enhanced on-ball skills make him a candidate for the most advanced midfield spot, potentially alongside Sebastian Berhalter, whose line-breaking distribution and improved game reading have impressed. Aidan Morris, Tanner Tessmann, and Johnny Cardoso also vie for roster spots, each offering unique attributes like Morris's versatility, Tessmann's leadership and aerial threat, and Cardoso's steadying presence at Atlético Madrid.
If McKennie occupies the advanced role, it may limit minutes for Malik Tillman and Gio Reyna. Tillman excelled at the Gold Cup but struggles outside his preferred No. 10 position, while Reyna's limited playing time at Borussia Mönchengladbach this year hasn't diminished his national team impact, thanks to his dribbling prowess and big-game mentality.
Lineup Projections and Final Assessments
For the Belgium friendly, a potential lineup includes Freese in goal; Antonee Robinson, McKenzie, Richards, and Freeman in defence; Morris and Roldan in midfield; and Pulisic, Reyna, Weah, and Balogun in attack. The projected best XI for the World Cup features Freese; Robinson, McKenzie, Richards, Freeman; Berhalter, Adams; Pulisic, McKennie, Weah; and Balogun. These friendlies against Belgium and Portugal, albeit without stars like Romelu Lukaku, Thibaut Courtois, and Cristiano Ronaldo, will ultimately determine Pochettino's final roster decisions, shaping the USMNT's prospects for the 2026 World Cup on home soil.
