USMNT
The USMNT’s missing link: La pausa
what is pausa and why is it important?
La Pausa literally translates to “the pause.” It generally describes the ability to dictate the pace of match, usually to slow it down. It is the ability to wait until the perfect moment to pass the ball. To take an extra second, almost like taking a breath, before playing the ball. Thereby pulling defenders away from the recipient. It is not taking an extra touch or dribbling. Nor is it rapid acceleration or deceleration. As the name suggests, it is a split second pause, often under pressure, before playing a pass.
A player who possesses pausa will watch the play develop before taking action. In practice it can look as though the player waited too long to play the pass, which is the point. It throws off the defensive rhythm. Very broadly, it helps the team in possession completely control the pace and movement of the match.
Pausa is not a learned trait. It is something a player either has or does not have. There are great players with pausa, Xavi, and great players without pausa, Kevin De Bryune. However, the best teams almost always have at least one player, typically a midfielder, with pausa. Barcelona have Sergio Busquets, Real Madrid have Luka Modric and Toni Koors, Manchester City have Ilkay Gundogan, Liverpool have Thiago, Bayern Munich have Joshua Kimmich and so on.
Having midfielders with pausa enables teams to keep possession and control. Since midfielders are usually at the heart of possession and creating attacking sequences, having a midfielder with pausa ensures the ability to dictate the tempo of the match is right in the middle of the action. However, it is important to note that while pausa is typically associated with midfielders, the trait itself is not limited to midfielders. For example, Manchester City centerback Aymeric Laporte also possesses the trait.
the usmnt players
Given the desire for the USMNT to play with possession and attack fluidly, having players with pausa can unlock the system. The US needs the ability to control the pace of matches and slow down attacks allowing space to open up. It would also help to limit the amount of running in a three-match window for World Cup Qualifying. So let’s take a look at the USMNT pool and who does and does not possess pausa.
To compile a list of the USMNT player pool, I asked my Twitter followers to give me their top two or three players in each field position. The rules: everyone is healthy, exclude prospects and players can only be listed once. Each player listed by more than one person, will make up the player pool for the purposes of this article.
The following players are the “player pool”:
| Josh Sargent | Daryl Dike | Gio Reyna | Tim Weah |
| Tyler Boyd | Christian Pulisic | Brendon Aaronson | Jordan Morris |
| Yunus Musah | Luca de la Torre | Cristian Roldan | Julian Green |
| Kellyn Acosta | Weston McKennie | Sebastian Lletget | Tyler Adams |
| Jackson Yueill | Owen Otasowie | Antonee Robinson | Sam Vines |
| John Brooks | Mark McKenzie | Tim Ream | Erik Palmer-Brown |
| Cameron Carter-Vikers | Chris Richards | Matt Miazga | Aaron Long |
| Sergiño Dest | DeAndre Yedlin | Reggie Cannon | Bryan Reynolds |
LA Pausa or no pausa
The vast majority of USMNT players in the pool do not possess pausa. In fact, the biggest names like Christian Pulisic, Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie, Sergino Dest and Gio Reyna do not have pausa. As a result the USMNT can struggle to keep control of a match, especially when playing a pressing team or another possession team. The instincts of the current USMNT players is to immediately transition, play quick passes and begin rushing into the attack. This is the opposite of pausa. Again, this does not mean they are bad players or that their way of playing is worng. Pausa is just a skill they do not possess.
So who on the national team does have pausa? The answer is not really anyone. There are a few players in the pool that might possess the skill but are young or have too little accessible match footage to really tell. However, the truth remains, the current USMNT pool lacks pausa.
Since the USMNT lacks players with pausa, it forces the team to constantly play directly and relay more heavily on dribbling. While this is a legitimate strategy, it may not be the best strategy for Concacaf. In the high heat and high humidity environments of away matches, constantly playing directly and at a high tempo will quickly become tiring. Additionally, it will increase the risk of injury to the squad. Having a player in midfield with pausa to slow the tempo down would be a massive benefit.
Pausa in the future
While the current USMNT senior player pool lacks players with pausa, there are USYNT players who possess the trait. The most notable amoung them? Red Bull New York’s Caden Clark. Perhaps, given Clark spent time at Barcelona’s Residency Academy, and Barcelona is known for cultivating this skill, it comes as no surprise that even at 17, the instinct to pause before releasing a pass can be seen.
Since Clark is still only 17, his pausa like any other skill, will continue to develop. However, he has the instinct which is a tremendous asset. When he finally breaks into the senior USMNT squad, having his pausa available will open up more tactical possibilities and will increase the team’s potential playing styles. The midfielder is already an exciting prospect, and this skill only adds to his potential.
Club News
The constructing of a World Cup roster
Thomas Deschaine (@uskeeper on X and us_keeper on Instagram)
With the September FIFA window now in the rearview mirror, and only three more windows left before final rosters are set in late May or early June 2026, Mauricio Pochettino has drawn a clear line.
He’s stated that September’s camp was the “last camp to have the possibility for new faces.”
If we take him at his word, the nearly 70 players who’ve been called across six camps and the Gold Cup will form the pool from which he selects the 2026 World Cup squad.
Of the 60 players named to the 2025 Gold Cup provisional roster, only five, Maxi Dietz, Richie Ledezma, Tim Tillman, Caleb Wiley, and Griffin Yow, have yet to appear on a #USMNT roster under Pochettino.
Comparing the 2025 Nations League provisional roster to the Gold Cup list reveals over a dozen different players, raising the question: are these minor differences simply the edges of the player pool Pochettino intends to draw from?
Goalkeepers
Nine goalkeepers have been called into Pochettino’s camps, but it’s clear that Matt Freese is his first-choice right now, with Matt Turner likely the No. 2 as we sit just 10 months from the World Cup.
- Chris Brady
- Drake Callender
- Roman Celentano
- Matt Freese
- Ethan Horvath
- Jonathan Klinsmann
- Diego Kochen
- Patrick Schulte
- Zack Steffen
- Matt Turner
Fullbacks
Outside of Sergiño Dest and Antonee Robinson, the USMNT’s fullback depth remains a concern. Pochettino appears high on MLS defenders Alex Freeman and Max Arfsten, while Caleb Wiley, though yet to feature in a USMNT camp but named to recent provisional rosters, could still be on his depth chart.
- Max Arfsten
- Sergino Dest
- Alex Freeman
- Marlon Fossey
- DeJuan Jones
- Kristoffer Lund
- Shaquell Moore
- Antonee Robinson
- Joe Scally
- John Tolkin
Centerbacks
Center back remains another position with uncertain depth. Chris Richards and the veteran Tim Ream look like locks for now, leaving three spots up for grabs. If Pochettino opts for a back three, that tactical shift could influence which players ultimately make the cut. Notably, Jackson Ragen and Maxi Dietz are the only center backs from the recent provisional rosters who haven’t been called into a USMNT camp.
- Noahkai Banks
- Tristan Blackmon
- George Campbell
- Cameron Carter-Vickers
- Mark McKenzie
- Tim Ream
- Chris Richards
- Miles Robinson
- Auston Trusty
- Walker Zimmerman
Central Midfielders
The central midfield position is the deepest for the #USMNT, with many players in the pool capable of also playing fullback, center back, or winger. Although Richie Ledezma has primarily played as a right back and right wing-back for his current club and for PSV last season, USMNT coaches view him primarily as a midfielder. This likely explains why he hasn’t yet been called into a USMNT camp.
- Tyler Adams
- Sebastian Berhalter
- Gianluca Busio
- Johnny Cardoso
- Ben Cremaschi
- Luca de la Torre
- Emeka Eneli
- Jack McGlynn
- Weston McKennie
- Aidan Morris
- Yunus Musah
- Tanner Tessmann
- Sean Zawadzki
Attacking Midfielders
There are several players at this position who could add real quality and play pivotal roles for the #USMNT at next summer’s World Cup. Gio Reyna remains a major question mark, but his talent is undeniable. With his recent club change, there’s hope he can return to the high level of form we’ve seen from him in the past.
- Brenden Aaronson
- Paxten Aaronson
- Brian Gutiérrez
- Djordje Mihailovic
- Matko Miljevic
- Gio Reyna
- Malik Tillman
Wingers
The winger position remains thin for the #USMNT, though several players there can also slot in as attacking midfielders, strikers, or even fullback. Notably, two young wingers, Cole Campbell and Griffin Yow, appeared on provisional rosters but have yet to be called into any Pochettino camp.
- Cade Cowell
- Diego Luna
- Christian Pulisic
- Quinn Sullivan
- Indiana Vassilev
- Tim Weah
- Haji Wright
- Alejandro Zendejas
Strikers
Another area of concern for the USMNT is striker depth. While the top options have all produced well for their clubs when healthy, injuries have kept the pool thin. If everyone is fit, the primary competition for the starting role likely comes down to three players: Folarin Balogun, Ricardo Pepi, and Josh Sargent. Haji Wright and Tim Weah can also step in as center-forward options if needed.
- Patrick Agyemang
- Folarin Balogun
- Damion Downs
- Jesus Ferreira
- Ricardo Pepi
- Josh Sargent
- Brandon Vazquez
- Brian White
Conclusion
It’s tough to read Pochettino’s mindset right now. Many expect fewer MLS players to be called for the October window, partly because the league continues through FIFA dates and the regular season ends mid-October.
Most World Cup rosters largely select themselves, with only a few surprising omissions, think of the 1994 squad, which left out several players many felt deserved a spot.
But with Pochettino still showing a shaky grasp of the USMNT player pool, this cycle could produce more notable snubs than ever, though there’s still time for him to get it right.
USMNT
Launching Caring Excellence in Northern Kentucky
USMNT
Concacaf Gold Cup is becoming tarnished
Thomas Deschaine (@uskeeper on X and us_keeper on Instagram)
Not long ago, winning your confederation’s tournament earned a spot in the FIFA Confederations Cup, a prestigious competition held in the World Cup host nation the summer before the world’s biggest tournament.
The tournament featured the champions of all six confederations (AFC, CAF, CONCACAF, CONMEBOL, OFC, and UEFA), along with the reigning FIFA World Cup winner and the host nation, rounding out the field to eight teams. The tournament was last played in 2017.
The Concacaf Gold Cup is a semi-cycle tournament played in the first and third years of the cycle. The CAF Africa Cup of Nations is the only other confederation that plays two tournaments a cycle, and in many circles, the frequency of the Concacaf Gold Cup and the addition of the Concacaf Nations League has made the Gold Cup a throwaway tournament for the USMNT, as it’s been six years since the so called A list player pool has played in the event.
It raises the question for FIFA and Concacaf: should the Gold Cup be played once a cycle, and should FIFA consider bringing back the Confederations Cup?
The USMNT won the inaugural Gold Cup in 1991 and has claimed seven of the 17 editions since. Only two other CONCACAF nations Mexico (9) and Canada (1)—have lifted the trophy, and both are contenders in this edition.
The USMNT has a strong track record at the Gold Cup, finishing first in their group every year except 2011. They’ve reached 12 finals, with a record of 69 wins, 12 draws, and 9 losses, scoring 189 goals and conceding just 60
Gold Cup Player Stats
Across 17 editions of the Gold Cup, the USMNT has netted 189 goals, conceded just 60, and recorded 50 clean sheets. Here’s a look at the players who made it happen, those who found the back of the net, and those who kept it out.
Goals
18-Landon Donovan
13-Clint Dempsey
9-Eric Wynalda
8-Brian McBride
7-Jesus Ferreira
Assists
16-Landon Donovan
7-Michael Bradley
6-DaMarcus Beasley
6-Alejandro Bedoya
6-Eric Wynalda
5-Clint Dempsey
Wins
17-Kasey Keller
11-Tim Howard
8-Tony Meola
7-Matt Turner
Shutouts
14-Kasey Keller
8-Tim Howard
6-Tony Meola
6-Matt Turner
Captain
10-Michael Bradley
10-Kasey Keller
9-Carlos Bocanegra
8-Tony Meola
7-Claudio Reyna
Gold Cup Manager Stats
Over the past 34 years, the USMNT has reached 12 of the 17 Gold Cup finals under the leadership of seven different managers. Here’s a look at how each of them performed.
Matches Coached
25-Bruce Arena
18-Bob Bradley
12-Gregg Berhalter
12-Jurgen Klinsmann
10-Bora Milutinovic
8-Steve Sampson
5-B.J. Callaghan
Matches Won
19-Bruce Arena – GF-52-, GA-14
14-Bob Bradley – GF-34, GA-17
11-Gregg Berhalter – GF-26, GA-3
9-Jurgen Klinsmann – GF-32, GA-9
8-Bora Milutinovic – GF-15, GA-8
6-Steve Sampson – GF-14, GA-5
2-B.J. Callaghan – GF-16, GA-4
Gold Cup Trophies
3-Bruce Arena
1-Gregg Berhalter
1-Bob Bradley
1-Jurgen Klinsmann
1-Bora Milutinovic
Conclusion
In the future, U.S. Soccer and the USMNT should clearly communicate roster expectations for the Gold Cup, especially if a full A-list squad is not planned. Transparency on this front is essential, as it directly affects fan interest and attendance.
The constructing of a World Cup roster
Launching Caring Excellence in Northern Kentucky
Concacaf Gold Cup is becoming tarnished
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