It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish. And for the millions of United States fans, the World Cup finish was far from satisfactory.
The co-hosts made quick work of Paraguay and Australia to top their group. And then demolished Bosnia-Herzegovina to reach the last-16. It was there, though, that they received a dose of humble pie after losing 4-1 to Belgium, ending a once-promising campaign in utter disappointment.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side are finally back in action, and there are quite a few fresh faces looking to impose themselves in the extended international break. The goal? Becoming key figures in this new World Cup cycle.
The question is, how could the USMNT shape up for the 2030 World Cup?
USMNT 2030 World Cup
Goalkeeper
If there’s one area where the USMNT needs improvement, it’s in between the sticks. Matt Turner was once the guaranteed No.1, but several years of warming the bench in England convinced Pochettino to go with Matt Freese in goal. Freese was the first MLS goalkeeper to start in a World Cup for the USA. But he completely fluffed his lines when failing to clear the danger, instead gift-wrapping an opportunity for Hans Vanaken to fire Belgium’s third goal into an empty net from long range.
Neither of the two Matts will likely be starting by the time 2030 rolls around. Instead, there are a number of talented goalkeepers in MLS who could be stepping into the void. Columbus Crew’s Patrick Schulte and Chicago Fire’s Chris Brady are two options, with the latter the third-choice goalkeeper at the World Cup. There’s also FC Cincinnati’s Roman Celentano and Diego Kochen, who, after developing at Barcelona’s renowned La Masia academy, is now impressing on loan at Danish side Lyngby. However, perhaps the most likely candidate for goalkeeper is Brian Schwake.
After beginning his professional career in Scotland and Spain, Schwake returned home in 2025 and helped Nashville SC bring home the US Open Cup. This year, he’s gone from backup to starter, and he has justified B. J. Callaghan’s trust with a sensational season. Schwake was unbeaten for his first 14 games across both 2025 and 2026, breaking Jorge Campos’ 30-year record. And he currently leads MLS goalkeepers in save percentage (77.2%) and sits joint-second on clean sheets (level with Hugo Lloris at 12). It’s only a matter of time before Schwake makes his USMNT debut, and he’s certainly got the goods to hang onto his starting spot.
Defence
Out of the 26 players from the USMNT’s World Cup squad, captain Tim Ream is the only one guaranteed to be too old for the 2030 World Cup as he approaches 39 years of age. However, the pieces around him are in fairly good condition. Chris Richards has established himself as a defensive leader for Crystal Palace, while Alexander Freeman has shown his quality at club level for Villarreal and for the USMNT. And while he just turned 29, Fulham’s Antonee Robinson remains one of the best left-backs in the game.
Pochettino played with five defenders this summer in order to compensate for Ream’s lack of pace as well as Sergino Dest’s defensive frailties. Now, though, he has a dilemma on his hands. Does he continue with that setup, or does he remove Dest in favor of a natural right winger? Does he operate with an attack-minded right back like Dest in a back four, or does he go with a CB/RB hybrid like Freeman? Whatever the case, the Argentine will need to find a long-term partner for Richards in the middle.
It likely won’t be a tried-and-tested veteran like Auston Trusty or Miles Robinson. But a fresh new face like West Bromwich Albion captain George Campbell or Neil Pierre could do the job.
After winning the MLS Next Pro Defender of the Year, Pierre spent the first half of 2026 at Lyngby before returning to Philadelphia Union. Pierre towers above the opposition at 6’7”, and whether he’s heading home goals (he’s scored eight this year) or using his long strides to chase down attackers, he’s consistently using his otherworldly physique to his advantage. Don’t be surprised if Pierre is starting in the 2027 Gold Cup.
Midfield
Perhaps the one area where there won’t be too much chopping and changing is in midfield. Weston McKennie and Tyler Adams have forged a superb double pivot over the years. And Malik Tillman has offered an impressive goalscoring threat and elite playmaking from a more advanced role.
There are certainly a number of promising central midfielders like Johnny Cardoso, Yunus Musah, and Sebastian Berhalter who will be seeking to make their case for a starting spot. However, if Pochettino does change his midfield trio, it will likely be to incorporate Christian Pulisic into the No.10 role over Tillman.
Attack
Folarin Balogun will likely still be the USMNT’s starting center forward in four years’ time. However, it remains unclear who will be surrounding him apart from Pulisic. The likes of Giovanni Reyna and Timothy Weah have fallen on hard times in recent years. And it seems unlikely that Pochettino would want to shoehorn another attacking midfielder like Brenden Aaronson or Diego Luna alongside Pulisic and Tillman.
Nevertheless, there are quite a few young prospects who could very well be at an elite level in 2030. Players like Zavier Gozo, whose breakneck speed and mazy dribbles could provide some much-needed width in the USMNT’s attack. And Cavan Sullivan, who has established himself as one of the best forwards in MLS with six goals and four assists in his last eight matches for Philadelphia. Pochettino could also decide to go with a 4-4-2 and pair Balogun with another centre-forward like Ricardo Pepi or Julian Hall. But this would be a far more radical option.
Ultimately, there’s still plenty of work to be done if the USMNT are to qualify for their first World Cup quarter-final since 2002. And it starts with beating higher-ranked opponents. Pochettino only had two years to prepare for the 2026 World Cup, and he was hindered by the fact that most of his first team skipped out on the 2025 Gold Cup. Now, with a full World Cup cycle ahead, can he make the most of this additional time and build a team that’s capable of competing on the world’s biggest stage?