USMNT
USMNT Positional Analysis: Center-Backs
Published
3 years agoon
The USMNT CB pool has a lot of depth, but there has been some turnover at the top. The challenge is that there aren’t many players that completely fit what Gregg wants to do. As a pressing team, you need CBs that can cover ground and are comfortable in space if the press gets beaten. As a team that wants to play out of the back you need players that are comfortable with the ball at their feet and can break lines with their passing. Chris Richards probably fits this profile the best, but he not shown a consistent ability to be a John Brooks level distributor. Miles and Walker are great defenders in space, but their distribution can be inconsistent. John Brooks is an excellent distributor, but he struggles in space.
Going into qualifying, most fans and pundits viewed Brooks as a lock and many saw Walker Zimmerman as a player on the fringes. Those scenarios have swapped. Walker has been our most consistent CB in qualifying and John is struggling to get back in the picture. Gregg will most likely carry four CBs on the World Cup roster and I think there are a couple spots still up for grabs and many candidates that could make a push.
Look Like Locks
Walker Zimmerman (Nashville)
See above. Walker has been mostly fantastic in WCQ. After seeing zero minutes in the first window and being a late addition in the second window, he hasn’t looked back. He brings a strong veteran presence and intensity that the team needs. He’s been fantastic in the air and in cleaning up messes in the box. I believe he’s been our most consistent distributor from the back as well, but the bar has been low and it’s one of the biggest areas for the team to improve upon. If the World Cup started tomorrow, it sure looks like Walker would be your starting RCB.
WCQ Stats:
870 minutes played
1 goal
7 Long passes per 90, 48.5% accuracy
15.5 ground duels per 90, 66% success rate
7.7 aerial duels per 90, 67.6% success rate
Miles Robinson (Atlanta United)
It feels like Miles Robinson has been in the USMNT project for years, but in reality, he made his debut last summer at the Gold Cup. He’s been a consistent fixture on the backline since that tournament. Miles is one of the best CBs in the MLS, probably second to only Walker Zimmerman. Most people expected Miles to go to Europe this season, but that hasn’t happened and it now seems more likely he’ll stay at Atlanta through this season, with perhaps an eye towards the January transfer window as a possible timeline for a move. Miles has been a little inconsistent during qualifying. He was poor in Canada and has been prone to some lapses in concentration. Overall I think Miles is the current favorite to start at LCB, but he needs to be more consistent this summer and eliminate some of his mental lapses.
WCQ Stats:
1022 Minutes played
0.55 Expected goals
5.6 Long passes per 90, 61.9% accuracy
15.4 ground duels per 90, 66.9% success rate
5.9 aerial duels per 90, 68.7% success rate
In The Mix
Chris Richards (Hoffenheim)
Going into WCQ I thought Chris was going to cement his place in the starting XI. He was heading in the right direction before his injury against Canada and then another injury ended his season at Hoffenheim. The goal now is for Chris to get fit ahead of the June set of matches so he can continue to push for a starting position and a place on the squad.
Chris is the youngest of all the CBs that are in the mix and he plays at the highest level of competition. I think he also has the highest ceiling and fits Gregg’s system the best. I am going to be keeping a close eye on what club he ends up starting the season at. Will he get a chance to play with Bayern? Will he go back to Hoffenheim where he has a ton of respect? Will he try a new challenge? That decision is going to play a big role in how viable of an option he is for Gregg.
WCQ Stats:
387 Minutes played
0.15 Expected goals
1.86 Long passes per 90, 0% accuracy
18.6 ground duels per 90, 58.8% success rate
6.05 aerial duels per 90, 50% success rate
Aaron Long (New York Red Bulls)
Aaron Long ruptured his achilles in 2020 and before that there was no more consistent player in Gregg Berhalter lineups. Aaron attended a few camps late last year / early this year and made his WCQ debut in the last window. Aaron is playing very well for NYRB and looks to be in better physical shape than he was before the injury. Aaron my not be one of the top 4 talented CBs in the pool, but he’s experienced, consistent and one of Gregg’s guys, so he’s got a very good chance of making the WC squad.
WCQ Stats:
44 Minutes played
14.32 Long passes per 90, 28.6% accuracy
6.14 ground duels per 90, 66.7% success rate
2.05 aerial duels per 90, 100% success rate
Erik Palmer-Brown (Troyes)
Erik Palmer-Brown (EPB) has had one of the more positive seasons of any USMNT player during the 2021/2022 European season. Up until this year, EPB has spent the last four seasons on loan from Manchester City and this year he has finally found a permanent home. After a rocky start, he has rattled off 15 starts in a row and has been awarded a permanent transfer to Troyes who still have a good chance to stay up in French’s first division, Ligue 1. As a reward for a strong run of form, EPB was called into the last WCQ camp. Clearly Gregg liked what he had been seeing in France. Erik is kind of like a Chris Richards lite and he fits the system well. He is mobile, strong, two-footed and he is comfortable enough with the ball at his feet. For him, it’s about continuing to string good performances together for Troyes, this year and next, and getting some chances to impress Gregg this summer.
WCQ Stats:
15 Minutes played
6 Long passes per 90, 0% accuracy
24 ground duels per 90, 75% success rate
Mark McKenzie (Genk)
Mark was called into every qualifying window except the last one. He didn’t play a ton, but it’s clear that Gregg trusts him and likes what he brings to the group. He’s still very young for a CB as well, only 23. Similarly to Chris Richards and Erik Palmer-Brown, Mark is mobile and is comfortable with both feet which allow him to play as a LCB and a RCB. Mark is definitely still in the mix, but with players like EPB and CCV having strong club seasons, he needs to get consistent minutes at Genk. The signs there are positive, Mark has started the last 3 matches and all have been wins. Mark needs to have a strong summer if called if and when he is called into camps and he needs to take hold of a starting job with Genk early next season if he is going to have a chance.
WCQ Stats:
196 Minutes played
3.67 Long passes per 90, 50% accuracy
15.15 ground duels per 90, 57.6% success rate
5.51 aerial duels per 90, 25% success rate
John Brooks (Wolfsburg)
I’m not going to get into the saga between Gregg and JB. Whatever it is, I think John will have a chance to get back in the mix this summer. Like Yedlin, John is the last of the 2014 World Cup team that’s still in the pool. Despite some differing reports, John has had a good season for Wolfsburg, though this will be his last. John will be changing clubs this summer and that move will have an impact on John’s USMNT future. If John and Gregg can work it out, I think John is definitely a top four CB in the USMNT pool and offers ability with the ball at his feet that no other CBs in our pool offer. John’s opportunity with USMNT will be a top news story to keep track of this summer.
WCQ Stats:
196 Minutes played
3.67 Long passes per 90, 50% accuracy
15.15 ground duels per 90, 57.6% success rate
5.51 aerial duels per 90, 25% success rate
Tim Ream (Fulham)
Is he actually still in the mix? I kind of don’t think so. He has not been with USMNT since the first window and I think Gregg has moved on, which I think is the right call, but it doesn’t feel right not to write a few words about Tim. He’s got a wealth of experience, he’s left-footed and he can distribute, but I think the next wave of CBs have surpassed him. If we have seen the last of Tim, it’s been a great run for him.
WCQ Stats:
196 Minutes played
3.67 Long passes per 90, 50% accuracy
15.15 ground duels per 90, 57.6% success rate
5.51 aerial duels per 90, 25% success rate
Keep an Eye On
Cameron Carter-Vickers (Celtic)
CCV likely had the best European season of any American CB, but it wasn’t enough to get the attention of Gregg Berhalter. CCV is a bruising CB with some ability on the ball, but he lacks superlative traits and I think that is why he hasn’t been at the top of Gregg’s list. There are a lot of CBs in the mix, so I think it’s going to take some injuries for him to get a look this summer. It will also be interesting to see where he ends up next year. Will Cetlic be able to sign him permanently or will CCV get a chance with a Premier League side not named Tottenham?
Auston Trusty (Colorado Rapids / Arsenal)
The biggest thing Auston has going for him is that he is a left-footed center-back, and we don’t have a lot of those. He is heading to Arsenal this summer in what will likely be a similar path as Erik Palmer-Brown and Matt Miazga, or in other words, a loan merchant. If Auston can secure a strong loan and impress, he may have an outside chance to get a look.
Justin Che (Hoffenheim)
Justin is the first of two very far-fetched scenarios in the spirit of having a little fun. Justin is a 2003 player who recently moved to Hoffenheim and made his Bundesliga debut in March. He has played RB and CB and looks like he will be playing RCB in a three back system at Hoffenheim. I think Justin’s chances of making the World Cup roster is very low, but he’s got an elite skill set that fits the system perfectly and he is at a top club. If he develops and gets a chance to start next year for Hoffenheim, why not Justin? His positional flexibility could be intriguing at the fringes of a potential 26 person roster.
Jonathan Tomkinson (Norwich City)
Tomkinson is an even bigger longshot as he is still on Norwich’s U23 Reserve side. Here is why I added him: he’s very talented, Norwich is getting relegated, and he could have a chance to earn a starting spot in The Championship next year, a level that Gregg is comfortable calling players from. You never know what could happen between now and November, so let’s just keep an eye on JT.
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.
- Caring for Villa Hills, Fort Thomas, Union, Florence, Crestview Hills and Northern Kentucky
Over the past few years, I’ve written here at Chasing A Cup about family, faith, leadership, and walking through life with intention. Some of you have been reading since the early days. Some of you prayed for my family. Some of you even rolled up your sleeves and gave blood — blood that was meant for my mom and others like her in their time of need.
I’ll never forget that.
Three years ago, my mom passed away. It was a season of heartbreak, but also one of clarity. As I stood beside my family — and as I supported others in our community grieving their own parents — I came to understand how deeply care matters. Not just in hospitals or emergencies, but in the everyday: the quiet, complicated, deeply human moments that make up the final chapters of someone’s life.
That realization stayed with me. And over time, it changed the direction of my work.
For most of my career, I worked in product management — building teams, delivering systems, and leading with structure and strategy. I still believe in all of that. But I also wanted to build something more personal. Something rooted not just in outcomes, but in presence and compassion.
That’s why Sarah and I decided to open a Caring Excellence office in Northern Kentucky.
Caring Excellence has been serving families across Kentucky for over 13 years. It’s a family-owned, fully licensed home care agency that specializes in non-medical, in-home support for seniors and adults — help with daily living, memory care, companionship, and more. And now, we’re proud to bring that same level of compassionate, character-driven care to Florence and the surrounding region.
Our new Northern Kentucky office serves families in places like Villa Hills, Union, Fort Thomas, Crestview Hills, and Florence — communities filled with multi-generational households, strong family ties, and seniors who deserve to age with dignity.
At Caring Excellence, we focus on people first. We don’t just fill schedules — we carefully match caregivers to clients based on personality, needs, and values. Sarah leads our caregiver hiring, drawing from her years of experience as both a caregiver and healthcare professional. She looks not just for skill, but for heart — people of integrity, empathy, and real compassion.
As for me, I now use my business background to support the team behind the scenes — building systems, developing processes, and making sure our caregivers have the tools and training they need to serve others well.
This new venture is deeply personal. It’s also missional. It’s about stepping into people’s lives when they need support most and offering something simple, but powerful: peace of mind.
We’re not moving to Florence, but we’re fully committed to this region. We’re investing in it — by hiring local caregivers, building relationships with local providers, and offering families home care in Northern Kentucky a trusted option for high-quality home care.
To those of you who’ve been on this journey with me — through writing, through prayer, through donating blood when we needed it most — thank you. I hope this new chapter reflects what we’ve always believed in here: that service matters, character counts, and small acts of care can ripple further than we think.
If you know someone in Northern Kentucky who needs support — in Union, Villa Hills, Crestview Hills, Fort Thomas, or Florence — we’d be honored to walk alongside them.
Thanks for reading, and for being part of the story.
—Marcus
Learn More
To learn more about Caring Excellence and our in-home care services for Northern Kentucky families, visit:
https://caringexcellenceathome.com/northern-kentucky-office
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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