USMNT
The Perils of Ball-Watching: Musah vs Aaronson
During the June 2022 international window, we got to see the US play against Morocco(3-0 win), Uruguay(0-0 draw), Grenada(5-0 win), and El Salvador(1-1 tie). This window gave us a chance to see both Brendan Aaronson(Leeds) and Yunus Musah(Valencia) operate from the center of the park.
Analysis and discussion on soccer players often are slanted toward offense and on-ball events. This seems to hold true for the recent discourse surrounding Musah and Aaronson. So we’re going to look at what they’re doing off-ball as well as the general effect these players are having on their teammates.
MUSAH
From Musah’s first half against El Salvador, here are the “on-ball” plays: For positives, there were 3 multi-man runs, and a good progressive pass, For negatives, there were two plays he was bullied into back passing, the errant pass he played in front of the backline, an instance of immediate dispossession when he got over-eager with the ball, and a bad clearance he attempted with space and time(for whatever reason the US backline needed 4 attempts to clear here). From the second half, the on-ball stuff improved significantly with a couple key passes, and two good scoring chances in addition to 4 great moments of ball progression.
My concern comes from what happened “off-ball”. Throughout the game, Musah was not rotating when his teammates ventured forward and he often didn’t track back properly when he made offensive forays. This was clearly an issue in the first half where we weren’t able to sustain pressure on his side of the field and with El Salvador often running right back into the US’s final third. When Aaronson was subbed off(more on that later) the US was not able to sustain pressure from either side of the field and El Salvador was able to overrun us centrally for 20 minutes with our only real response being long-balls to McKennie.
This is also not an isolated pattern. Against Morocco when Adams went high, Musah often didn’t cover his man. leading to multiple dangerous positions from line-breaking passes. When Uruguay subbed in their first-choice midfielders, Musah was caught out of position so much that Aaronson ended up playing like a 2nd 6. This shouldn’t be too surprising given that in La Liga Musah is dribbled past a bunch, loses tackles a lot, and has an abysmal pressure success rate of 9%. Keep in mind Musah is being compared to other wingers here who have to do that type of stuff(ball-winning, pressure etc) less often than mids do. With that in mind, we have a decent explanation for why Musah isn’t allowed to play in midfield for Valencia.
You simply cannot be so half-hazard defensively vs elite teams.
AARONSON
Aaronson was quieter on the ball “offensively”: He had a pass here or there, beat a man a couple times, and played it off to Pulisic to win a free kick. The brunt of his “on-ball” contribution was defensive:
Out-ball winning Adams is pretty incredible(not sure I agree with the conclusion), but where Aaronson really shined was off-the-ball. Aaronson stopped El Salvador’s attacks 6 times with good off-ball pressure. I count exactly one negative defensive play(getting dribbled past). He also stopped a massive opportunity for El Salvador in the US box with good 1 v1 defending.
Offensively his off-ball play was also big. Pulisic, like Weah on Musah’s side, was often drifting forward and charging up the wings. Aaronson rotated accurately nearly every time. The end result was that whenever attacks on Pulisic’s flank filtered out, we’d be able to sustain a second or third wave of pressure because Aaronson would immediately cover the space behind forcing El Salvador into multiple backpasses/giveaways. One play of note to me was when Aaronson pressured El Salvador into back passing, and then, when El Salvador went around Aaronson’s flank of the field to get into the final third, Aaronson applied defensive pressure from behind to help force a give away, and then, when they tried to bypass Aaronson directly, Aaronson again applied pressure forcing El Salvador into a back pass.
Aaronson is a very good defender for his club, was very good defensively against top-quality opposition in the Champions League, and scored in the 99th percentile of attempts and success rate in pressures. Half-spaces’ +/- tends to rate Aaronson as one of our best players because of this combination of defense and pressure. Simply put, he should be considered “undroppable” in situations where we’re playing against the ball(which will usually be the case vs elite teams).
Notably the midfield collapsed in the first 20 minutes when he was off vs El Salvador and Pulisic, who he was covering for quite well in the first half, became considerably less effective in the second.
Final Thoughts
There’s a bit of a misconception on where the strengths of our player pool lie in US soccer circles. Our players are not on cl teams because of passing or breathtaking technical play. They’re primarily on cl teams because of their ability to press and defend or to exploit space that their midfield teammates make for them by pressing and defending. Pulisic is able to dribble and do what he does on the ball because Chelsea play him alongside a bunch of players who are fantastic pressers and defenders. Aaronson covered the most ground in the champions league, made a high volume of defensive plays, and was in the 99th percentile for pressures attempted and press success rate. McKennie’s biggest plus with Juventus is that he can be everywhere and that he’s arguably the best presser on his team. In settings where we have a big talent advantage, it’s feasible for us to sacrifice some cohesion and let Musah go wild. But against teams and midfielders at or above our talent level, we need to prioritize what we’re good at, and that simply isn’t happening when we start an 8 who doesn’t press or defend.
People have brought up the conditions vs El Salvador to explain the performance and that’s fair to a degree. But that makes Gregg’s tactical approach more confusing for me. If the conditions were not there for us to play passes, why were we wasting so much time with side passes between center backs and cycling the ball between mids/wings in our middle and defensive third. The game called for directness and we decided not to play direct. I’m firmly in the camp that our “a plan” should be a variant of what we saw in the gold cup. Our players play in the Champions League not for their ability to pass and move, but for their ability to shut down attacks, win the ball high, and quickly exploit the spaces left behind by exposed opponents. We should be the Salzburg/Leipzig of international soccer and I’m starting to worry Gregg wants us to be a slower, more possession-based team we simply don’t have the personnel to be.
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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