The arrival of Mauricio Pochettino as the new USMNT coach presents the program and nation with an opportunity to try new talent and change the status quo. We present a list of players that could find themselves as regular call-ups under a new regime.
And finally, he’s here: Mauricio Pochettino is officially the new United States men’s national team manager. With him comes the hope that things will finally change and the USMNT can live up to a potential we have yet to see from them.
"We need to believe that we can win."
Pochettino is thinking big ahead of 2026 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/wXV4MtYdkB
— U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) September 13, 2024
In his first press conference, Pochettino took a page out of Ted Lasso and wants to instill the word “believe” as the cornerstone of his work. For the USMNT to believe that they can win major championships like a World Cup, and compete at the highest levels, is music to the ears of a fan base that, in the past two years, saw previous manager Gregg Berhalter take the decent work he had done in the 2022 cycle and crash it against a wall. Following the Qatar World Cup, his team delivered one disappointing performance after another, leaving fans, pundits, and onlookers disheartened.
In the process, U.S. Soccer lost two years and crashed out in a Copa America that could have significantly positioned the team for the future. Instead, it highlighted a coach who had long overstayed his time as manager and a group of players stuck in complacency, consistently underperforming.
While Pochettino may have reignited the fan base, he will have some difficult decisions to make regarding the current roster, which has not distinguished itself for some time.
Here is a list of players who could provide the USMNT with new blood, new faces, and a chance to start fresh.
Diego Luna
The best American player currently in MLS, Diego Luna is a breath of fresh air for a program that has struggled with players of his characteristics. Luna can play on the left wing, which could be an interesting option alongside or when Christian Pulisic is subbed off, and also as a creative midfielder in the middle.
Luna faces competition for his spots, but after observing Brenden Aaronson’s frequent underperformance with the national team and Haji Wright being better suited as a striker option, Luna’s time to shine might be now.
Gabriel Slonina
Many fans are skeptical of Gabriel Slonina due to his occasional mistakes and his current stint at Barnsley FC. However, USMNT goalkeeping remains an area with room for growth. Matt Turner and Ethan Horvath have likely reached their peak. Slonina, at 20 years old, is still highly regarded as a goalkeeping prospect, and under the umbrella of Chelsea, he has a significant upside that makes him a worthy consideration for the next American No. 1.
Kevin Paredes
Following a strong performance at the Summer Olympics, Kevin Paredes should start challenging for spots on the left side of the USMNT. Paredes has improved in Germany, and although he has been a bit-part player at times, he could be a refreshing option for the new manager.
Gianluca Busio
Gianluca Busio is a player the national team has strongly lacked — a midfielder capable of smooth passing and long-range shooting. At Venezia, Busio has played both in the middle of the field and recently wide against AC Milan.
Busio may not be a starter for the USMNT, but given the midfield’s reputation for workrate, he could provide valuable interlinking abilities with the attacking third.
Rokas Pukštas
Rokas Pukštas has been performing well on the right wing and centrally for Hajduk Split. Scouted by Manchester United and Inter Milan, Pukštas might offer an intriguing alternative to an often underperforming Gio Reyna and occasionally disinterested Malik Tillman.
Brian Gutiérrez
Brian Gutiérrez has been a bright spot for a struggling Chicago Fire squad and could be on his way to Europe by the end of the season. The 20-year-old is versatile, capable of playing in all three midfield positions. This season, his best work has been as a sort of No. 10, but he has also excelled on the left wing.
Bryan Reynolds
Bryan Reynolds could challenge Joe Scally for the right back position in the absence of Sergiño Dest. While Scally is known more as a solid defender, Reynolds is more akin to Dest in terms of his forward ventures with purpose.
Lennard Maloney
Lennard Maloney has been solid for his German club Heidenheim as a pivot in midfield. With considerable competition, what Maloney could bring is an additional edge for players who might otherwise feel secure in their spots.
Tanner Tessmann
Tanner Tessmann could be a solution for a central defender who plays out from the back if Pochettino’s options are limited. The FC Dallas product has proven to be a formidable attacker, and now with Lyon, Tessmann should challenge many of the mainstays for minutes.
While Pochettino Works on the Team, U.S. Soccer Must Do Its Part
Pochettino is a band-aid: a two-year plan to elevate the senior national team with a high level of expertise. Still, the leaders of the U.S. Soccer Federation must use the next two years to improve the foundation under the Argentine.
The U.S. youth national teams lack coaches with the experience or presence needed to effectively guide the next generation of American players. The federation must create a youth coaching system led by former USMNT players. Calls should be made to Michael Bradley, John Harkes, Landon Donovan, or any former player with a legacy to build the stars of tomorrow. Then the nation can build a legacy with some real staying power.
