GOAL US writers pitted current and unavailable USMNT starting XIs against each other, debating strengths, weakness and outcome
Let's try a thought experiment. Just for fun. The USMNT is missing a number of players for the upcoming Gold Cup, due to injury, load management or Club World Cup commitments.
The list of those missing – and brace yourself – is lengthly, including Zack Steffen, Antonee Robinson, Auston Trusty, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Sergino Dest, Weston McKennie, Yunus Musah, Gio Reyna, Christian Pulisic, Folarin Balogun, Tim Weah and Ricardo Pepi.
With a bit of tweaking, you've got a pretty damn good starting XI.
Unfortunately, those lot are all out. That's not to say that Mauricio Pochettino doesn't have a talented side for the summer tournament – it is perhaps the opposite. This pool is deeper than ever, and while the current squad is relatively inexperienced, competing to impress the manager and earn a spot on the 2206 World Cup roster will certainly motivate a youthful roster.
But what might happen in a devilishly hypothetical fixture between the current crop and those on the sidelines? What are the strengths and weaknesses of each starting side? And, in this pickup game that doesn't really exist, who comes out on top?
It's closer than you might think. GOAL US writers offered their opinions – as well as a bit of amateur managerial nous – in a theoretical edition of… The Rondo.
Getty ImagesWhat's the main strength of the Active roster?
Tom Hindle: Uhhhh, what strength? What we have is a load of backups and Tyler Adams. Maybe the whole "something to prove" vibe might help, but not sure that "wanting it more" is an actual thing. Let's go with Adams and hope he can hard carry in this fun hypothetical.
Jacob Schneider: Call it cliche, but the biggest strength of the current crop is desire. Most of the guys missing know they will be at the World Cup next year. This group has at least 15 different players who are fighting to make that roster. That is what makes this crop strong. That is what will be the motivating factor. There's no room for individual error this camp – it will be gritty and it will be intense.
Ryan Tolmich: Probably the central defense, considering it's the only position without any notable absences outside of coaching decisions. Chris Richards is riding high off an FA Cup win, Tim Ream and Walker Zimmerman both have World Cup experience and Mark McKenzie will be eager to stake his claim on that second center-back spot. While every other position requires some sort of shuffling, the center-back doesn't, which means this summer should give us some pretty good ideas of where players stand.
Alex Labidou: With so many new faces on the roster, the team’s greatest strength might just be its unpredictability. Seven players are still uncapped, and six others have fewer than five appearances. While that lack of experience has led some to dismiss this group, Pochettino’s comments about embracing opportunity – and the reduced expectations surrounding the squad – could work in the Americans’ favor. Make no mistake: this is a hungry team. A strong showing on this stage could open doors to lucrative transfers for this MLS-heavy roster – or even better, a World Cup spot.
AdvertisementGettyWhat’s the main strength of the Absentee roster?
TH: Everything else. Quality, talent, experience. People who are good at football.
JS: Star power, confidence, and experience. McKennie is the most reliable U.S. midfielder, Pulisic the best attacker, and Robinson the best defender. They know they're talented, they know they can compete with the world's best – it's not being cocky, it's being confident. They don't sweat when coming against world-class footballers. They know what these moments are like. That is what makes strong in comparison.
RT: This one is easy: the attack. The USMNT's preferred front line is all on the inactive side and, based on this theoretical matchup, they'd also be going against two inexperienced fullbacks. The Absentees would have Pulisic and Weah out wide to go with Pepi or Balogun at striker, dealer's choice. That's the best attack the U.S. could muster at the moment and, realistically, they'd be expected to run wild in this matchup.
AL: Experience and star power. Outside of Tyler Adams and Chris Richards, the USMNT's best players are all missing from the Gold Cup. Could that change this summer as new players emerge and players get increased opportunities – like Malik Tillman? But let's be honest, the USMNT aren't the same without Pulisic and McKennie. They are two players, who to steal a term from NBA coaches, draw gravity and open spaces for others. That will be missed this summer.
GettyWhat’s the main weakness of the Active roster?
TH: Where would you like to start? There are a load of questionable positions, but the biggest issue is probably the attack. None of the three are realistic starters in a year's time. This isn't the most exciting attacking setup.
JS: There is a massive hole at fullback this camp. No Robinson, no Dest, no Joe Sally, no Caleb Wiley, no Marlon Fossey, and no Kristoffer Lund. This will be a trial for both Pochettino and those available. John Tolkin and Nathaniel Harriel have experience from the 2024 Olympic team, while Max Arfsten earned his first caps earlier this year. Orlando City youngster Alex Freeman has been handed a huge opportunity this camp, too, and needs to grab it.
RT: Fullbacks are a slight concern, for sure. While the current team has some good players in camp, they're all wildly inexperienced at the international level. The four fullbacks in the team are Tolkin, Arfsten, Freeman and Harriel, and they have a total of seven caps between them. This summer will be a huge test for that group, as would this hypothetical game against the best attackers in the player pool.
AL: With so many young and unproven players, inexperience is the biggest weakness of this squad – especially at forward. The biggest challenge is figuring out the option at striker. Balogun isn't here. Nor is Pepi. While it will be fascinating to potentially get an extended look at Paxten Aaronson, he's not a traditional goal-scoring No. 9 – he's more geared for a second-striker, No. 10 role. Scoring is the most important part of the game, and right now, there's not a clear-cut option there.
Getty ImagesWhat’s the main weakness of the Absentee roster?
TH: There aren't any terrifyingly bad ones. The USMNT can be a pretty good side at full strength. Probably right-back, to be honest, where Dest is far from healthy and not the best fit in this system.
JS: The biggest weakness of the inactive roster is probably in the goalkeeper pool. Don't rate Zack Steffen, and Patrick Schulte has not progressed since his heroics in the 2024 Champions Cup with Columbus. Both are good goalkeepers in their own right, but it's probably the weakest link on the pitch.
RT: The spine. With Adams and Johnny Cardoso in the Active team, the Absentees are short on top defensive-minded midfielders. They're also short multiple key center-backs and the No. 1 goalkeeper, Matt Turner. Obviously, there are some good players there, all of whom have USMNT experience, but the preferred spine of the team is generally with the Gold Cup squad. As we all know, a team is generally only as good as its spine.
AL: Defense is the biggest question mark of this group as Carter-Vickers and Trusty haven't been able to translate their club form on the national team level yet.
