{"id":1453192,"date":"2026-05-30T22:09:17","date_gmt":"2026-05-30T21:09:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?post_type=features&p=1453192"},"modified":"2026-05-30T22:09:20","modified_gmt":"2026-05-30T21:09:20","slug":"usmnt-analysis-world-cup-2026","status":"publish","type":"features","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/usmnt-analysis-world-cup-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"USMNT analysis: Strengths, weaknesses and how far they can go on home soil"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The United States Men’s National Team head into this summer’s World Cup under the considerable pressure of co-hosting.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Football’s biggest event comes to North America for the first time since 1994, and with almost three-quarters of the host venues in the US, the Stars and Stripes will be under the microscope even more than Mexico and Canada.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This feels like the culmination of years of hard work, with the United States bringing through arguably their most talented group of players ever in order to compete at this very tournament. Now, though, they must live up to the billing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, how far can the USMNT go on home soil this summer?<\/p>\n\n\n

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    One strength, weakness and worry for the USMNT<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Strength<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    For such a long time, the USMNT felt hamstrung by the lack of a genuine No.9. Jozy Altidore was the focal point for so long, but despite his success on the Concacaf stage at the Gold Cup and in qualifying, he failed to score in five career World Cup appearances. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    At the 2014 World Cup, the likes of Tim Howard and Clint Dempsey offered genuine class, but there was nobody to finish it off. In 2018, they missed out. In 2022, Gregg Berhalter inexplicably left Ricardo Pepi at home, despite his critical role in qualification, instead choosing to have an unproven-in-Europe Jesus Ferreira lead the line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The picture for Mauricio Pochettino, however, is very different. The Argentine has included Pepi in his squad, with the 23-year-old handed the No.9 shirt fresh off a 19-goal season for PSV Eindhoven, where he won a third straight Eredivisie title and scored against the likes of Atletico Madrid, Napoli and Olympiacos in the Champions League.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Pepi will battle for the starting spot against Folarin Balogun, who was equally impressive for Monaco this term, scoring 19 times across all competitions, including five times in the Champions League. And behind them is Haji Wright, who can operate out wide, but also as a target man, and scored 17 Championship goals to help Coventry City win the title and return to the Premier League.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Each striker is perfect for a different scenario. Pepi is the traditional, ruthless finisher. Balogun can stretch the opposition and link play. Wright can occupy centre-backs and add a set-piece threat. Pochettino is spoilt for choice in a way no other USMNT head coach has been in the past. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Weakness<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    For all that firepower — not to mention a legitimately excellent midfield containing the likes of Weston McKennie, Tyler Adams and Malik Tillman — there are some major concerns for the Stars and Stripes. The backline is one of them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Crystal Palace star Chris Richards will anchor the defence and has shown his considerable talent in helping the Eagles lift FA Cup, Community Shield and, most recently, Conference League titles over the last couple of years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    However, next to him, the battle is between: <\/p>\n\n\n\n