

Club News
USMNT 2022 Roster Vision
Published
5 years agoon
USMNT World Cup 2022 Qatar
I’d like to start off by saying I hope everyone is staying safe during this crazy time. This pandemic has given a lot of us way too much time on our hands, and by a lot of us I mean me. If you’re an American Outlaw like me that means you’ve spent at least a quarter of your day thinking about US Soccer. I’d like to break down the USMNT Roster Selection for World Cup 2022 in Qatar.
If you’re a fan of the USMNT you’re living in a scary/exciting time if that makes sense. The wound of missing out on the 2018 World Cup still burns slightly. But the emergence of quite a few potential stars has helped eased the pain. We aren’t sure when we will see the USMNT on the pitch again. That gives time to discuss. What is the best 11 for the USMNT right now, and more importantly, who will be the best 23 players to hopefully lead us in the next World Cup.
So enough with the chit chat. This is my opinion of what the best 23 will be when the USA travels to Qatar in the winter of 2022. I will reiterate that this roster is MY OPINION. It was actually harder than I thought which is a good thing. There is also definitely some guessing seeing that a lot can happen in two seasons. Anyway, here we go!
(Players age is the age they will be in Qatar)
Goalkeeper
Zack Steffen, Ethan Horvath, David Ochoa
Zack Steffen – 27 – Fortuna Düsseldorf (on loan from Manchester City)
Steffen is the US #1 for the near future. He’s been impressive in Düsseldorf. So much so that the rumor is Pep Guardiola wants him back in Manchester. He’s a lock.
Ethan Horvath – 27 – Club Brugge
Horvath has had some bad luck. Brugge brought Simon Mignolet in to sell tickets. It’s caused people to forget how good he is. I expect by 2022 he will be starting again for a different club.
David Ochoa – 21 – Real Salt Lake
Ochoa is the wild card. He started two matches in the U-20 World Cup in Poland and impressed. He’s showed promise but is still young. But I think in the next two seasons he will be the guy for RSL and if so should make the roster for experience.
Defender
John Brooks, Matt Miazga, Aaron Long, Chris Richards, Sergino Dest, Reggie Cannon, Antonee Robinson, Deandre Yedlin
John Brooks – 29 – VfL Wolfsburg
Brooks is a shoe-in. Ever since his unforgettable goal against Ghana in the 2014 World Cup hes the best CB that we have. It’s that simple. A healthy Brooks heads the back line for the USMNT for the near future.
Matt Miazga – 27 – Reading (on loan from Chelsea)
Miazga is a guy that gets disrespected in my opinion. He had success on loan in the Netherlands playing for Vitesse. He’s a Premier League level defender and I bet by 2022 he will be playing for a mid table club in the Prem. The spell in Nantes held him back a little bit but he’s back in-form in the English championship playing for Reading. I think Chelsea will sell him soon. If so he’s the next best guy.
Aaron Long – 30 – New York Red Bulls
Long has proven to be a solid CB for the USMNT. He’s a bit of a late bloomer for sure making his first US appearance at 25. That being said he’s been a mainstay in the team for two years now. He’s even gotten interest from European sides such as West Ham. Hopefully by 2022 he will be overseas. He will be the oldest of the bunch, 30, by the time the World Cup comes around. I see him as a solid bench option.
Chris Richards – 22 – Bayern Munich
Richards is the wild card for the CB position. He started all five matches at the U-20 World Cup last summer. He’s showed a ton of promise. He’s a mainstay player for Bayern II who plays in the Bundesliga 3. I believe he might have what it takes to break through for Bayern. But even if not by 2022 I think he will be playing first team ball somewhere in Europe. That gives him the nod to possibly be the breakthrough guy that John Brooks was at the 2014 World Cup.
Sergiño Dest – 22 – Ajax
Dest put the USMNT in the headlines for a good reason a few months back when he chose the US over long time powerhouse Netherlands. Dest played four matches in last summers U-20 World Cup including a stellar performance against France. It’s rumored he’s on his way to Bayern and will be without a doubt the best fullback we have. He can play both sides so it really just depends who’s the next best fullback we have in 2022.
Reggie Cannon – 24 – FC Dallas
Cannon is a fan favorite, in Dallas and with USMNT fans. He has impressed in a US shirt no doubt. By 2022 I expect him to be in Europe and thriving. He’s a solid all around RB in my opinion that will definitely be able to get the job done.
Antonee Robinson – 25 – Wigan Athletic
Robinson is a guy I’ve been a fan of for awhile. He was an exciting prospect when he signed his professional contract with Everton in 2015 after already appearing for a US youth side. He never broke through with Everton which cause him to fall off the radar a bit. A loan move to Wigan in 2018 changed that. He has had some rough outings for the US but he’s also played against some really tough opponents and impressed. His form this season for Wigan in the English championship saw him on the verge of signing with one of the biggest clubs in the world, AC Milan, for $13 Million before an irregular heartbeat stopped the move. Let’s hope he gets healthy and if so may be the starting LB of the future allowing sergino dest to play in his natural position.
DeAndre Yedlin – 29 – Newcastle United
Yedlin might be the most disrespected USMNT player right now. I see a lot of hate for him and I don’t get it. The guy has been a mainstay in the premier league for years and has made 135 appearances in Europe total at only 26 years old. He is the most capped defender, talking about guys relevant right now, for the USMNT by far. He’s also versatile which is a big strength. He’s played outside mid and winger for Newcastle over the years. He will still be 29 by the time the World Cup comes around and in my opinion still in the picture.
Midfielder
Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie, Paxton Pomykal, Jackson Yueill, Duane Holmes, Richie Ledezma
Tyler Adams – 23 – RB Leipzig
Adams could arguably be The most important player for the USMNT right now. He moved to Germany and slotted almost immediately into the starting 11. In my opinion he can play every position in the midfield and we also know he can play RB as well. By 2022 he will be even better.
Weston McKennie – 24 – Schalke 04
McKennie is a player I love. His passion and tenacity are second to none. At 21 he’s already made 83 appearances for Schalke and has scored in the champions league. Hopefully by 2022 he’s patched up all the little things. If so he will be an absolute force in the center of the park.
Paxton Pomykal – 22 – FC Dallas
Pomykal is an exciting player. He was a leader for the U-20 team at the World Cup last summer. He’s showed a lot of promise and began the season scoring for FC Dallas in the opener. There’s been European squads sniffing around since last summer. He could be a starter for the US in 2022. But I think we will be an off the bench utility guy that can play the 10 or the 8.
Jackson Yueill – 25 – San Jose Earthquakes
Yueill is a favorite of Berhalters. He’s the guy on the roster that may not be the most athletic or technical but is a solid utility player. He burst onto the scene for the USMNT in 2019 and made 6 appearances for the US. In his few appearances I’ve been impressed with him as well. He’s a solid 8 that if he develops a little more defensively could turn out to be a solid backup for Tyler Adams.
Duane Holmes – 28 – Derby County
Holmes is another player I feel most US fans aren’t too keen on. I am not one of those fans. I’ve been waiting awhile for him to breakthrough onto the USMNT scene. He made his way up as a youth into the Huddersfield senior team when they were in the championship. He bounced around after that on loan until landing in Frank Lampard’s arms in 2018. He’s been a mainstay in Derby’s starting 11 since. Holmes’ a bit of a late bloomer but he will still only be 28 in Qatar. He’s a creative player that can definitely play the 10 but has the motor and tenacity to play the 8 as well. I’m betting he will be a mid table premier league player by 2022.
Richie Ledezma – 22 – PSV Eindhoven
Ledezma is the wild card in the midfield. There’s no doubt that there is a ton of potential there. He was instrumental in the U-20 win vs France in the World Cup. His play for Jong PSV has been superb. He just extended his contract with PSV and I expect him to be a mainstay in the first team by 2022. He may even be playing for a bigger club by then. If that’s the case I think he will be the starting 10 in Qatar. Fingers crossed.
Forward
Christian Pulisic, Josh Sargent, Gio Reyna, Tim Weah, Uly Llanez, Jesus Ferreira
Christian Pulisic – 24 – Chelsea
Pulisic is the best player for the US right now. By USMNT World Cup 2022 he will be one of the best attackers in the premier league I have no doubt. At 21 he’s made 150 European appearances and scored 25 times including the champions league. He’s appeared 34 times for the US and was the youngest player to ever captain the American side. He’s already shown flashes in his first season with Chelsea and will only get better. Expecting big things from CP.
Josh Sargent – 22 – Werder Bremen
Sargent is a player that has had ups and downs and has been a little frustrating for fans. His potential is massive and has shown glimpses such as his golazo on the last match day before this covid business. I’m complaining but the kid already has 31 European appearances and he just turned 20. By USMNT World Cup 2022 he will be a consistent player that has already shown he can finish with the best of them. If he fixes the little things he will be our #1 striker in Qatar.
Gio Reyna – 20 – Borussia Dortmund
Reyna is the youngest player the US will field in Qatar. He burst out on to the scene this season much like Christian Pulisic with his rapid rise in Dortmund. Gio has already shown glimpses of world class quality. He scored a worldie in the DFB Pokal and assisted in the champions league already. He will only get better. It won’t be easy jumping to senior level from U-17 international but if he plays as he has for Dortmund he should adapt quick. By Qatar he will be 20 years old and still entering his prime. Could be a scary front 3 for the Americans in Qatar if it all pans out.
Tim Weah – 22 – LOSC Lille
Weah, like Sargent has had his ups and downs. The downs being injury. After a good move to French side Lille he tore his hamstring just two games in. Then after a 6 month recovery Weah tore it again. Hes out until next season at least. But when healthy he has shown glimpses of stardom. He’s made 26 first team appearances in Europe which includes playing and scoring for French giants PSG as a teenager. Weah’s already scored for the US and has scored for Lille. He’s a guy that can play striker or on the wing and should be a key member for years to come.
Uly Llanez – 21 – VfL Wolfsburg
Llanez is another player of promise that showed well at the 2019 U20 World Cup. A creative winger that moved to Germany in 2019 he’s scored 11 times in only 16 games for the Wolfsburg U-19 squad. He was called in to first team training before this unfortunate break. Llanez made his debut for the US in February and scored the winner, and only goal, against Costa Rica. He is near a breakthrough with the Wolfsburg first team and I’m betting by 2022 he will be a mainstay. Definitely an exciting winger.
Jesús Ferreira – 21 – FC Dallas
Ferreira is the wild card of the forward position. I will say it was hard to leave Jozy Altidore out but I know berhalter is a fan of Ferreira and at 19 he’s already one of the best strikers in MLS. Born in Colombia, Ferreira gained US Citizenship in January 2020 and made his senior debut for the US a few weeks later. He’s already scored 9 goals in MLS at 19. I’m expecting by 2022 he will be much better and may even be overseas. If that’s the case he makes the roster. No questions
Rounding out the provisional USMNT World Cup 2022 30 man roster
Jozy Altidore (ST) – 33 – Toronto FC
The veteran of the forwards. Will be passed up by the youngins at this point.
Jordan Morris (Wing/ST) – 28 – Seattle Sounders
Most frustrating player in the pool for me. Has played great for the US recently. Lord knows how good he could have been had he moved to Germany years ago.
Miles Robinson (CB) – 25 – Atlanta United
Has become one of the best defenders in MLS. Could very well nudge Aaron Long out of the 23 soon. Still on the fringe for me.
Cameron Carter-Vickers (CB) – 24 – Luton Town (on loan from Tottenham Hotspur)
Needs a move from Spurs ASAP. Started off very well for Luton. I think he could be a decent premier league defender by 2022. CB should be stacked for us.
James Sands (CDM/CB/CM) – 22 – New York City FC
A lot of buzz coming out of NYC for this kid. He’s made 26 first team appearances at only 19 and could blossom into Tyler Adams back up soon.
Sebastian Lletget (CAM/CM) – 30 – LA Galaxy
Has played well for the US when healthy. Should still be a solid option in the midfield in 2022.
Sean Johnson (GK) – 33 – New York City FC
Berhalter is a big fan. Should he still be a starter in MLS I’m sure he’d be in this mix still.
There’s even a handful more that could’ve made the USMNT World Cup 2022 list.
Here is my preferred starting 11 if this was the roster:

As USMNT fans we have been in a down period there’s no doubt. But with the talent we have on the way up combined with the talent we already have at the senior team level. I think we may have some big things to cheer about sooner rather than later. Feel free to hit me up and discuss I’d love to hear your opinions!! Thanks.
Average age – 24
@Gifted__20
Club News
From Louisville to Lisbon: Joshua Wynder’s Journey with S.L. Benfica
Published
4 weeks agoon
June 13, 2025By
Zach McCabe
The current state of the USMNT has been at an all-time low since Couva in 2017. One of the positions in dire situation is Center Back. Tim Ream will be 38 by the time of the 2026 World Cup. Chris Richards has too many highs and lows and has not shown his club form with the US. Cameron Carter-Vickers and Auston Trusty have yet to perform for the national team. Miles Robinson, despite what many MLS fans want to believe, is not good enough and makes too many errors, like the second Turkish goal on June 7th, 2025. Walker Zimmerman has one World Cup left in him and he has a history of making critical errors as well, like the penalty against Gareth Bale in the 2022 World Cup. Lastly, Mark McKenzie has improved his game since his move to Toulouse, but he is lacking the deserved opportunities and a good partnership.
Our U20 CBs will need to be called up sooner rather than later, either before or immediately after the 2026 World Cup. The top 3 prospects by fans and analysts are Noahkai Banks, Matai Akinmboni, and Joshua Wynder. Of the three, Joshua Wynder is the oldest at 20 years old and is part of a club that is world-renowned for their development, S.L. Benfica.
How did Wynder manage to accomplish such a move from Louisville City in the USL Championship to Benfica? To summarize, Wynder had a breakout season for Lou City at 17 years old in 2022, so much so that he was included in the US U20 World Cup team in 2023.

Wynder secured a spot to go on trial at Benfica and passed. On June 8th, 2023, Benfica officially acquired Joshua Wynder from Lou City for a record-breaking $1.2 million transfer fee, which still stands today.

Benfica registered Wynder with the second team for the 2023/2024 season, who participate in Liga Portugal 2. Due to Portuguese rules (players play in the youth system until they are 19 years old), he spent the season with Benfica’s UEFA Youth League team and U23 team and only received 21 minutes with the B team until a season-ending injury. What began as a promising start, with the support of the fans, was cut short after just six matches. The following season went according to plan for Wynder. Wynder became a consistent starter for the B team where he started in 29 matches and appeared in a total of 31 matches. He also scored four goals, all headers from corners.

His success with the B team made him a fan-favorite and several calls to be called up to the first team by fans on social media. That day came on April 9th, 2025, when he made the team sheet for Benfica’s Taça de Portugal Semi-Final match against FC Tirsense. Wynder made his first team debut when he was subbed in at the 76th minute mark of that match. He made a following appearance on the bench for the first team in their second leg match against FC Tirsense.
As early as November 27, 2024, it was reported by Glorioso 1904 that Joshua Wynder had gained the attention of the Benfica manager, Bruno Lage. The report further said that Wynder was becoming an option for the next season’s first team. A similar report surfaced on March 25, 2025, by Record, in Portugal, that Wynder is on track to be with the first team for the 2025/2026 season. That day may be coming sooner rather than later. Joshua Wynder will be joining Benfica on their 2025 Club World Cup campaign. This will be a true test for him to prove to Bruno Lage that he is ready to be part of the first team for the upcoming 2025/2026 Liga Portugal and UEFA Champions League season. If he is given serious minutes with the first team and performs, Joshua Wynder needs to be considered for the 2026 World Cup or immediately following the World Cup.

Benfica is in Group C of the Club World Cup with Auckland City, Bayern München, and Boca Juniors. Their first match is against Boca Juniors, 33-time Argentine champions, on June 16th. Game two is on June 20th against 10-time New Zealander champions, Auckland City FC. Lastly, their 3rd group stage match is against the 6-time UEFA Champions League winners, Bayern München, on June 24th.
Club News
American Transfers: Stock Up & Stock Down
Published
10 months agoon
September 9, 2024By
Zach McCabe
The 2024 summer transfer window closed on September 1st and over a dozen Americans made a move in the two-month span. These players range from youth players, like Mathias Albert, to veteran players like John Brooks. Some moves were great, and some were not. This article will review several of these transfers and determine if it was a stock up or stock down.
Sergiño Dest & Malik Tillman to PSV- Stock Up

Both Dest and Malik Tillman went on loan (with option to buy) to PSV in the Eredivisie at the start of last season. Both had a great season where they could have gone to a better league for this season. PSV decided to trigger both player’s buy option, making them permanent players for the Dutch club. These are good moves in my opinion because Dest had a regrettable loan to Milan two seasons ago and a difficult relationship with Xavi Hernandez.

Dest needs another season (in his case, half a season) with the Dutch club to develop, recover his young career, and show clubs that he can compete in the UCL. The same goes for Tillman, who needs to further develop his attacking, work rate, and ability to compete in the UCL. If both can replicate and/or take a step up from their performance from last season, they should return to a top 5 league. (Note: Bayern has a buy-back option for Malik Tillman)
Santiago Castañeda to Paderborn- Stock Up

The Tampa-born Colombian-American spent last season with the 3. Liga with Duisburg where he appeared in 31 matches with 2 goals and 2 assists. This season, he is with Paderborn, a consistent 2. Bundesliga club and he already has a goal in 5 starts across all competitions. This is impressive when you realize that Santiago will be turning 20 years old on November 13th. US fans (who do not follow USL closely) are just now learning about him and some probably have already written him off because of his background.
He is taking a similar path as Lennard Maloney, who played in both 3. Liga and 2. Bundesliga before moving back up to the Bundesliga. In Santiago’s case, he started with Tampa Bay Rowdies in the USL Championship before moving to Duisburg. To add to the move being a stock up because of moving up a league, he is also a CDM, a position that the US is lacking depth at. Other American CDMs who are in about his age (+/- 1 years old) are Daniel Edelman, Moses Nyeman, Marcel Ruszel, and Ethan Kohler (although, he is being converted to an RB) to name a few. If he continues down this path, he can become the #1 American CDM in his age group followed by Pedro Soma (who is 2 years younger than Santiago) in the next age group.
Paxten Aaronson to Utrecht- Stock Up

The Paris Olympian will be heading back to the Eredivisie, but this time, he will be joining fellow Americans Taylor Booth and Rickson van Hees at Utrecht. Paxten had a successful half season with Vitesse where he had 4 goals in 14 appearances. As a CAM, he is competing against Gio Reyna and Malik Tillman (both being only a year older) for a spot on the USMNT. Right now, he is not beating either one of them out, even with Gio being injury prone and Tillman’s lack of producibility for the USMNT.
Gio has had several occasions of great moments with the national team and Tillman is coming off a 24-goal contribution season. Going back to the Eredivisie would greatly help his development before heading back to Eintracht Frankfurt. Also, if he has a more productive season than Tillman, then there is an argument to make Paxten the #2 CAM for the USMNT. Currently, Tillman has 4 goal contributions in 5 matches across all competitions to Paxten’s 1 assist in 4 matches.
Caleb Wiley to Chelsea with loan to Strasbourg- Stock Up

This is one of the players who needed a move this summer and who was able to get an upgrade. Caleb Wiley arguably has the highest ceiling amongst our U23 LBs. Now, Strasbourg is employing him more as an LWB, which is, in my opinion, his best position. Last season at Atlanta, Wiley started as a LW that led to a fantastic form. When he moved to LB, he became inconsistent and stagnated, but he played more as a LWB and his form went back up. Along with that and with him turning 20 in December, he needed to get out of MLS.
We see what happens to players who stay in the MLS too long, i.e. John Tolkin, who has struggled to transition his club form to the USMNT, and Brandon Vazquez, who is now struggling to start for Monterrey and out of the USMNT picture. Playing in a top 5 league and being developed into an LWB can help him unlock his full potential. To add, Wiley already has 2 starts, a halftime substitution, and an assist for Strasbourg.
Rodrigo Neri to Atlanta 2- Stock Down

This is one of the most disappointing moves for those who follow the USYNT U20 team and the future state of the USMNT striker position. Neri’s young career has dramatically fallen in just one year. He was part of the Atletico de Madrid academy since 2021 but left their U19 team for Valencia U19 to now Atlanta 2. Based on Be Soccer, Neri had 0 goal contributions in just only 11 matches for both Spanish U19 teams. 7 games in and Neri already has 3 goals and 1 assist for Atlanta 2. This can either mean he has improved, returned to his Atletico U19 B form (where he had 17 goals in 32 matches), and/or that MLSNP is weaker than División de Honor Juvenil (the league that Atleti U19 is part of). Either way, we can already see that his lack of goals has impacted his international career.
The last time that he was part of the team was the U19/20 March camp against Morocco and England. He was left off the CONCACAF U20 Championship for Keyrol Figueroa and Marcos Zambrano. This is after being part of the U19 team that participated in the 2023 PanAm Games where he had 1 goal in 5 matches. Besides that, he had scored a goal against England and a brace against Norway when he was part of the U17 team in 2022. AS USA even had a piece on Neri back in 2022 calling him the next big thing for the US.
Usually, this far of a drop would almost take you out of the international conversation but knowing US Soccer’s habit of calling up MLSNP players like Sergio Oregel Jr., there is still a chance that Neri can be back in the conversation in time of the 2025 U20 World Cup. The only positive thing about this move is that it could help him get his career back on track.
Vaughn Covil to Las Vegas- Stock Down

For Covil’s career, this was the right move to make. For his international career, it only leaves the Philippines for him. His chances with England were never going to happen. 2-3 years ago, you could have said he had a chance with the US and even more with Canada with the right development. Now, he is better off committing to the Philippines if he wants to have an international career.
It’s a stock down move because it would’ve been better if he had made a deal with an EFL League 2 club than coming to the USL Championship and because he is limited to just one national team instead of four. Hopefully, he does well at Las Vegas and can get a call-up by the Philippines.
Jonathan Gomez to PAOK- Stock Down

This move is one of the most disappointing of all the transfers this summer by an American. While at Louisville and with the USYNT, he looked like a future LB/LWB option for the USMNT and another dual national battle with Mexico. When he went to Real Sociedad and after his successful loan to Mirandes in La Liga 2, things were in an upward trajectory. He left Real Sociedad (likely because they didn’t want to extend his contract, so they opt to sell him to make a profit) for reigning Greek champions, PAOK. When it should have been a positive that he will be playing in his first season at a 1st division, it is a negative because of it being the Greek Super League 1. PAOK is also in the Europa League and that should’ve been a positive for his career, but the Greek champions left him off their UEL roster.
He is still only 21 years old and if he does well enough for them, then he can move up to a better league in a season or two. At this moment, he has slipped out of the conversation to compete with Lund, Tolkin, and Wiley to be the future #1 LB/LWB. To make matters worse, Caleb Wiley’s 2024/25 season has started off well at Strasbourg with 2 starts and an assist. You could argue that during the 2023 U20 World Cup that JoGo was the better of the two at the LB/LWB position but now Wiley is above him on the depth chart.
Aidan Morris to Middlesborough- Stock Up

Like Caleb Wiley, Morris needed to leave MLS to further his development and avoid the situation that John Tolkin is in. Even though Morris has been underwhelming for the USMNT, he has the potential to be a consistent player of the 23-26 men roster. So far this season with Boro, he has been a standout and quick favorite amongst the fans. Going to the EFL Championship was one of the best choices he could have made as his next stop. The physicality of the league will teach him how to become more physical and his quick decision-making. The development could easily put him in the top 4 CDM options for 2026.
The biggest question for him is, can he transition his great club form to the national team. If he can pull it off, he can jump ahead of Lennard Maloney and Tanner Tessmann, depending on how he does with Lyon this season. This is a top 3 move by an American player not just because how the season is going so far for him but because Boro will be competing for promotion and development potential.
Tanner Tessman to Lyon- Stock Up

Tessmann’s transfer saga is one for the books. He was closely linked to Inter Milan and Fiorentina until both fell apart because of disagreements. Towards the end of the transfer window, he got a move to a top Ligue 1 club, Lyon. If he had stayed with Venezia, he still would’ve been playing in a top-five league, but Lyon is the better option. Venezia will be fighting to stay in the Serie A like they did in 2021/22, whereas Lyon is consistently a top 10 French club, and in many cases a top 5 club.
To add to that, Lyon is in the UEL. The season is not going well for Lyon right now, but they can recover and compete for UEFA qualification. The club and the fans will be more demanding than Venezia because of their prestige, he can learn from veteran players like Matic and Veretout and it would require him to compete for starts. It’ll be a real test for him after his last time in a top 5 league did not go as well and two great seasons in the Serie B.
All of these will help him take the next step and help him be in the top 3 CDM USMNT conversation. The battle Tessmann, Aidan Morris, Maloney, Johnny Cardoso, and Tyler Adams (once he returns) for the top 2 CDM spots on the USMNT will be a joy to watch this season.

Thomas Deschaine (@uskeeper on X and us_keeper on Instagram)
The USMNT has had a solid track record with goalkeepers over the last three decades. There seems to be a problematic situation with their current group. Is this an overreaction or a real concern for the USMNT which is less than 2 years away from hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
The average age of the last seven USMNT goalkeepers to regularly start in one of the top two tiers in Europe is 27.5 years old and while it took several seasons for Kasey Keller, Brad Friedel, Tim Howard, and Brad Guzan to settle and have continued success they did while all having the opportunity to be the number goalkeeper for the USMNT.
Where there has been a lot of deserved criticism towards Matt Turner’s play with the USMNT lately it’s clear that he remains the best shot-stopper in the pool, but also clear that a transfer from Nottingham Forest is desperately needed to provide regular playing for Turner. Turner’s foot skills remain weak along with the rest of the USMNT goalkeeper pool very much an area that needs improving. Something they could learn from Tony Meola who was hands down the best USMNT goalkeeper with his feet.
Struggles also continue for Ethan Horvath whose transfer to Cardiff City last February was supposed to provide him with the needed playing time to push Turner for the number one goalkeeper spot of the USMNT but, his performance at Copa America didn’t inspire many, along with a recent match for Cardiff City where he conceded five goals.

November 27, 2022, in Doha, Qatar (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
USMNT Youth Goalkeepers
The current group of USMNT goalkeeper prospects appears to be solid, but if history has proven anything there are no guarantees. The list of the failed USMNT youth keepers over the last decade is long. It includes names like Joe Bendik, Alex Bono, Cody Cropper, Tally Hall, Clint Irwin, Dan Kennedy, and Luis Robles, of the over 15 USMNT prospect goalkeepers who have only been capped 18 times, eight of those held by Bill Hamid.

At the moment goalkeepers Antonio Carrera (20), Matt Freese (25), Chituru Odunze (21), and John Pulskamp (23) are on the outside looking in compared to the goalkeepers listed below.
Currently playing for Fulham U-21 Premier League 2 (Reserve League) Alex Borto (20) who was part of the 2023 U-20 World in May and June, but didn’t receive any playing time will need to increase his current playing time to get more opportunities but, I feel Borto is much lower on the youth USMNT depth chart at the moment.
A regular starter for the Chicago Fire over the last couple of seasons Chris Brady (20) is another highly touted USMNT goalkeeper, who has been held back from regularly being called into USMNT youth camps by his club. A move to Europe would provide him with the next level of competition needed to continue his growth as a goalkeeper.
Who would trust a now 18-year-old who hasn’t had any professional experience to start for the USMNT? Not many but Diego Kochen (18) who is currently with FC Barcelona Atlètic in the Third Division is a name that continues to be mentioned, but highly unlikely in my opinion.
As the starter for all four of the U-23 USMNT Olympic matches Patrick Schulte (23) has earned a call-up to the USMNT. Schulte has had a very strong season with the Columbus Crew which accounts for 8 clean sheets over all matches at the time of this article.
Many fans think Gaga Slonina (20) is the best U-23 goalkeeper in the player pool and is destined to be the number-one goalkeeper after the 2026 cycle. Slonina is currently playing in EFL League One the third division in England. Slonina was the starting goalkeeper for U-20 USMNT where he had four straight clean sheets helping lead the US to the quarter-finals. He also was part of the U-23 USA Olympic team but failed to receive any playing time.

October 4, 2022, (Photo by Christian Hansen/Chicago Fire FC)
Aging or Bridge Goalkeeper Options
The list of recent third and often injured USMNT goalkeepers Drake Callender (26), Roman Celentano (23), Sean Johnson (35), and Zack Steffen (29) provide little to no confidence when looking at a current solution and none are likely to break into the top two of the depth chart but, stranger things have happened in the world of USMNT goalkeepers.

Looking Ahead
With less than 2 years until the 2026 FIFA World Cup, it’s unlikely that any of the younger USMNT goalkeepers will be able to play at higher levels and contend for the number one spot, which I believe still belongs to Matt Turner, but, Turner needs to do whatever possible to get a transfer to another top five leagues or worse case Eredivisie or EFL Championship as he needs to be playing matches every week to ensure he’s in form and improving headed into the World Cup with the backup position is up for grabs.


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