USMNT
Way-too-early USMNT 2026 FIFA World Cup roster projection
The 2022 World Cup cycle has come to an end, and while the tournament in Qatar is still fresh in the memory of USMNT fans, the road to 2026 is now beginning. A huge number of fringe players and young prospects will look to stake their claim over the next few years with hopes of making the final roster. While predicting a roster four years out is an impossible task, let’s take a look ahead at who could make up the 26-man squad when the World Cup comes to the United States in 2026.
Goalkeepers
Matt Turner – The current U.S. #1 will still only be 31 by 2026 and will be in his prime. Turner has shown continued growth and has proven himself to be reliable. He is the incumbent national team starter for the foreseeable future, but it remains to be seen whether or not he will be passed up over the course of this cycle by a younger option.
Gaga Slonina – On his current trajectory, the Chelsea-bound native of Addison, Illinois, will soon break into the national team rotation and could be the starter in goal by 2026. After an impressive first full season as the Chicago Fire’s starter in MLS, Slonina was unlucky not to make the roster this year and will be hungry to earn his spot on the team over the course of this cycle.
Chris Brady – Slonina’s successor in Chicago has a potential that is arguably just as high, though he is much less proven. Like his fellow Fire Academy graduate, Brady will only be 22 in 2026 and should have enough experience to break into the senior national team picture after impressing with the U-20s.
In the pool: Ethan Horvath, Zack Steffen, Roman Celentano, Diego Kochen
Center backs
Chris Richards – Undoubtedly the USMNT’s best center-back prospect at the moment, Richards only missed out on the 2022 World Cup due to injury, and he likely would have played every minute at the tournament had he been available. Richards has lots of growing to do, but the sky is the limit for him, and by 2026, he will be an irreplaceable part of the XI.
Miles Robinson – Another top center-back who missed the World Cup through injury, Robinson emerged as a key player for the U.S. after shining in MLS for Atlanta United. It remains to be seen how he will come back from a long-term Achilles injury that kept him out for almost a full season, but if he can return to his pre-injury levels, he will be back in the national team picture. If not, another experienced option like Cameron Carter-Vickers or even Walker Zimmerman could fill that role.
Brandan Craig – Craig was a key part of the U.S. U-20 team that won the CONCACAF title last summer and showed that he is a great prospect as a ball-playing center back. There are a number of candidates, old and young, who could make this team in central defense, but if Craig can establish himself over the coming seasons, his skillset could be valuable for the World Cup.
Joshua Wynder – The next big center-back prospect for the U.S. is Wynder, who will still only be 21 in 2026 but has the talent to break into the starting lineup if he continues his trajectory. Wynder, of Louisville City, is on the radar of many top clubs in Europe and MLS and is a name USMNT fans will definitely want to remember.
In the pool: Cameron Carter-Vickers, Erik Palmer-Brown, Mark McKenzie, Auston Trusty, Walker Zimmerman, Bryan Okoh, James Sands, Stuart Hawkins, Tyler Meiser, Christopher Cupps
Full backs
Sergiño Dest – One of the more high-profile USMNT stars at the moment, Dest will be hoping he can take his game to a new level over the next four years. If he can reach his full potential, Dest can be one of the best right-backs in the world and will be a lock-starter for the U.S. at the 2026 World Cup.
Joe Scally – Dest’s likely backup in 2026 will be Scally, the youngest member of the 2022 roster. After solidifying the starting job at Borussia Mönchengladbach, he will continue to improve and establish himself as a reliable option for the national team.
Antonee Robinson – While he certainly has his limitations, Robinson sets a high floor for left-backs looking to break into the national team, and it won’t be a while until he is displaced from the starting XI. He may be pushed out by 2026, but his experience could also be a factor since he will be 28 by the World Cup.
Jonathan Gómez – Long seen as the top American left-back prospect, Gómez has a long way to go to be the USMNT’s starter in 2026. However, he absolutely has the talent to reach that level, and if he chooses to represent the U.S. over Mexico, he could emerge as a long-term solution for a position that has long been problematic for the USMNT.
Justin Che – Though he has struggled to gain a foothold at Hoffenheim since arriving in January, Che is still seen as a good prospect that can play both as a right back and as a center back. The German-American dual national has a long way to go to get into the USMNT picture but does stand out against relatively weak competition for the right-back spot further down the pipeline.
In the pool: George Bello, Shaq Moore, John Tolkin, Oscar Verhoeven, Mauricio Cuevas, Caleb Wiley, Christian McFarlane, Aiden Harangi, Reed Baker-Whiting
Midfielders
Tyler Adams – The USMNT’s captain had a standout World Cup in Qatar to add to what has been a fantastic season in the Premier League, and he is only going to get better. It will be exciting to see where Adams is four years from now, but unless something dramatic occurs, he will likely be starting in midfield come 2026.
Yunus Musah – Few American players are more talented than Yunus Musah, who continues to grow into one of Europe’s elite midfield prospects. By the time 2026 rolls around, he will be an indispensable option for the USMNT in midfield despite stiff competition from the younger generation.
Weston McKennie – McKennie is not the flashiest player, but he is still an integral part of the USMNT’s young core, and while he very well may not be a starter in 2026, he is still a very valuable midfielder with tons of high-level experience at Juventus and with the national team. He will be in his prime at the next World Cup.
Brenden Aaronson – The second most expensive American in history may not have made a big impact in Qatar, but he’s absolutely a core player for the upcoming cycle. Throughout his career, Aaronson may struggle to break into the USMNT’s starting XI, but nonetheless, he can play a big role and provide valuable versatility and flexibility.
Johnny Cardoso – It is impossible to guess which players from the United States’ huge crop of young midfield talent will break into the squad over the next four years, but one player very well positioned to do so is Johnny. The Internacional midfielder already has 4 caps for the USMNT and has looked good in flashes; with a move to Europe on the horizon, he’ll be fighting for a spot throughout the cycle and could beat out some very stiff competition from players such as Jack McGlynn, Alex Alvarado, Taylor Booth, and Alex Méndez.
Cruz Medina – Predicting who the youngest members of a squad will be four years from now is also incredibly challenging, but based on his current trajectory, Cruz Medina is someone who can push for a spot. The highly-rated San Jose Earthquakes homegrown will be 19 when the World Cup rolls around, and he could sneak onto the squad if he continues his growth as one of America’s top talents.
Pedro Soma – The long-term backup 6 spot for the USMNT is wide open, and no obvious player is coming up to fill it. Kellyn Acosta has always been a stopgap in that position, and it would be troubling if he is still around in 2026. One of many holding midfielders who could challenge for that spot is UE Cornellà’s Pedro Soma, who has been a standout for the U.S. U-17 team over the last couple of months and is being looked at by many clubs higher up the Spanish pyramid.
In the pool: Taylor Booth, Alex Méndez, Jack McGlynn, Alex Alvarado, Richy Ledezma, Gianluca Busio, Kellyn Acosta, Luca de la Torre, Aidan Morris, Obed Vargas, Niko Tsakiris, Sergio Oregel, Jude Wellings, Adrian Gill, Edwyn Mendoza, Bento Estrela, DeCarlo Guerra
Forwards
Christian Pulisic – It would be an incredible turn of events if Pulisic, the USMNT’s poster boy and arguably greatest-ever player, were not on the 2026 squad. Pulisic will be 27, in his prime come 2026, and hoping to lead the team on a great run on home soil. It is not a nailed-on certainty that Pulisic will be a starter, but it is incredibly likely.
Gio Reyna – The most talented player in the national team’s history is Gio Reyna, and he will still only be 23 when the World Cup comes to North America. Though he barely saw the field in Qatar, Reyna is one of the main keys to success for the future of this national team and will undoubtedly be a lock starter in 2026. Hopefully, Gio can move past his frequent injury troubles because if he can do that, he can reach his potential and enter the 2026 World Cup as one of the best attacking players in the world.
Tim Weah – On his day, Weah can be the USMNT’s best player, and he showed that in flashes throughout this previous World Cup in Qatar. If he can gain some consistency and produce those flashes of brilliance on a more regular basis, Weah can be a key contributor during this cycle and challenge for the starting job throughout.
Josh Sargent – The former youth national team standout finally started coming to his own in late 2022 and earned the starting job for the USMNT. Striker is a position of concern, but there are not many apparent options coming up through the pipeline that immediately stand out, so as of right now, Sargent is still a frontrunner.
Ricardo Pepi – Though not named to the 2022 roster, Pepi remains the USMNT’s main hope for the striker position. The 19-year-old has had a great first half of the season in the Eredivise and will be hoping he can translate that form to a higher level and break back in the national team picture. Ideally, an elite striker will appear that solve the United States’ persistent #9 problem, but in the lack of an obvious prospect in the pipeline, we can only hope that Sargent and Pepi pan out as hoped, or that Folarin Balogun commits to the U.S. and shines.
Kevin Paredes – Had things panned out a little bit differently, Paredes may very well have been on the plane to Qatar. Though he doesn’t quite get the publicity of many of the other young stars, the Virginia native is one of America’s top prospects and is already breaking through at Wolfsburg. A dynamic and exciting winger who can also play as a full-back or through the middle, Paredes could make his way onto the senior team sooner rather than later.
Paxten Aaronson – Just about pipping a number of other talented players to the final spot is the younger Aaronson. Paxten, who is set to join Eintracht Frankfurt this January, has long been considered the better prospect of the two Aaronsons, and if he can reach the same levels as his brother by the time the next World Cup rolls around, he’ll have a compelling case to make the squad. It should be mentioned, though, that he is just one of a host of competing players like Brian Gutiérrez and Quinn Sullivan, who are of a similar age, and players like Djordje Mihailovic and Alex Zendejas are also only going to get better throughout the cycle.
In the pool: Djordje Mihailovic, Brian Gutiérrez, Alex Zendejas, Malik Tillman, Jesús Ferreira, Brandon Vázquez, Folarin Balogun, Quinn Sullivan, Kristian Fletcher, Esmir Bajraktarević, Rodrigo Neri, Benjamin Cremaschi, Ezekiel Soto, Cole Campbell, Keyrol Figueroa, Axel Pérez, Maximo Carrizo, Jack Mize
Club News
USL’s American Soccer Dream
USL made national headlines when they announced on February 13th, 2025, their plans to launch a Division One league, followed by the announcement of promotion/relegation on March 19th for the new Division One league, the Championship, and League One. If sanctioned by US Soccer, USL Division One would be of equal status to MLS and compete for the best major soccer league in the U.S. The implementation of promotion/relegation in the USL would become the first in the U.S. and test the question asked for many years, “would pro/rel work in the U.S.” USL HQ informed the public that they planned to have the inaugural season of Division One during the 2027-2028 season with promotion/relegation beginning in 2028.
Until November 3rd, with the announcement of Tony Scholes being hired as the President of the Division One, only three teams have applied for membership to the inaugural season of Division one: Louisville City, North Carolina FC (who announced at the time of the Scholes news that they would fold until the launch of Division One), and Pittsburgh Riverhounds. There has been a rapid expansion of teams in the already existing leagues since the two announcements. Teams joining League One are: Fort Lauderdale FC (2026 debut), New York Cosmos (2026 debut), Port St. Lucie SC (2027 debut), Sporting Cascades FC (2026 debut), and Rodeo FC (2027 debut). Fort Wayne FC and Sarasota Paradise would also be joining League One from League Two (2026 for both teams). For the Championship, Reno, NV will once again have a team planned for a 2027 debut. Along with those teams, USL is actively working to expand to other markets. The markets and partners they are looking at are Brevard County, FL (Space Coast Pro Soccer), Riverside, CA (Riverside Pro Soccer), Brownsville, TX (City of Brownsville), Winter Garden, FL (Central FL Pro Soccer), Santa Rosa, CA (City of Santa Rosa), and Pensacola, FL (City of Pensacola).
Along with these recently announced teams and partnerships, USL has teams joining the organization just in time for promotion/relegation that were announced prior to the February and March news. Starting with League One, these teams include: Corpus Christi FC (2026 debut) and Athletic Club Boise (2026 debut). As for the Championship, they will be adding Brooklyn FC (2026 debut), Sporting Jax (2026 debut), Atlético Dallas (2027 debut), Milwaukee Pro Soccer (TBD), USL Pro Iowa (TBD), Buffalo Pro Soccer (TBD), and Ozark United FC (2027 debut), while Santa Barbara Sky FC (2027 debut) would replace Memphis 901 FC.
Other than that, news on the Division One and promotion/relegation had been quiet until USL snatched Tony Scholes from the English Premier League. Tony Scholes will be the President of Division and help with the implementation of promotion/relegation. Scholes served as the chief football officer of the EPL and will join USL at the end of the EPL season. As of November 15, 2025, USL Division One has not been sanctioned as a division one league by US Soccer. The hiring of Scholes indicates that they are confident this new league will get approved or they have already been told it will, behind closed doors. The fact that we have not heard news on what the promotion/relegation format would be, and Scholes task would be to help implement it could mean that USL has not come to a decision on one. Since we do not have any ideas on what the format could be, I want to provide a possible option that they could go with.
One of the biggest questions people have had since the USL announced promotion/relegation was how they would tie it to the playoffs. There is an option they could do, but it would result in only having one playoff. USL would have a playoff for Division One, but they would eliminate the concept for the Championship and League One. It might not be the most popular idea here in the U.S., but the main goal for the lower leagues is to get promoted, not to win a trophy. They would retain the league title for those two leagues with the winner being the team with the most points at the end of the season, just like how it is in the European leagues. The purpose is to create fairness for the top performing team(s) in the two lower leagues and reduce confusion. If there is a need for a playoff format, they could adopt the format the Bundesliga uses where the 16th best team in the first division and the 3rd best in the second division face-off in a two-leg match to see who would be in the first division the following season. The other option is the Championship concept, where the teams who finished 3rd through 6th in the table compete in a promotion playoff. The semi-finals are two-leg matches while the final is a single-leg match. The winner is promoted to the EPL. The execution of promotion/relegation must be done perfectly to retain fans, gain fans, prevent confusion, and be entertaining.
USL already has a division one league with their women’s Super League, who is competing against the NWSL. Currently, the S League has only nine teams (Brooklyn FC, Carolina Ascent FC, Dallas Trinity FC, DC Power FC, Ft. Lauderdale United FC, Lexington FC, Spokane Zephyr FC, Sporting Jax, and Tampa Bay Sun FC) to the NSWL’s 14 teams (3 teams in the works). The Super League will be adding an additional nine teams (Athletic Club Boise, New York Cosmos, Ozark United FC, Buffalo Pro Soccer, Chattanooga Red Wolves FC, Forward Madison FC, Indy Eleven, Oakland Soul SC, and USL Palm Beach) with all but three to have their inaugural season to be determined. What makes the S League unique from the rest of the soccer leagues in the U.S. is that they use a fall-summer schedule. Competing against a top five women’s league in the world is a tall ask, but it shows the ambitions of USL.
They are also willing to take risks by voting to pass promotion/relegation for the men’s league and have a fall-summer schedule for the S League. If the S League schedule format proves successful, it stands to reason that they would move the men’s leagues to the same schedule. It would also avoid the organization from having to fight MLS for viewership when the leagues are in play, especially when they launch a direct rival and are at their most ambitious point in their history. The same can be done for the S League if promotion/relegation is successful for the men. USL can start establishing lower women’s leagues and introduce promotion/relegation to the women’s game here in the U.S.
Many would say USL still stands no chance at competing against MLS, even with promotion/relegation and having a division one league. That is the case when you look at the quality of the players is finance, but that is the reason why the USL made these decisions based on the reports prior to the announcements and afterwards. Promotion/relegation and the introduction of a division one league could see an increase in investors. We are already seeing that with the likes of Gio Reyna joining Fort Lauderdale as an investor, BellTower Partners investing into USL, Sofia Huerta and Kasey Keller joining the Athletic Club Boise ownership group, and the Chickasaw Nation becoming an investor of the OKC for Soccer just this year alone. Then there is the expansion fee for MLS, MLS Next Pro, and the USL leagues. MLS charges an astounding $500 million! Yes, the money is used to construct a proper stadium, acquire players, etc., but at this point it will discourage many from purchasing a franchise license. MLS currently only has two leagues and one of them is advertised as a development league to prepare for MLS. The expansion fee for an independent team to join MLS Next Pro is unknown, but Sports Business Journal reported in 2024 that it is significantly cheaper than the USL Championship. The fee to join the USL Championship is $20 million while League One is only $5 million. These two fees are significantly lower than MLS and that will be more appealing to potential owners, but unlike the MLS fee, it is not enough for a stadium, training grounds, and players. As for what the fee is to join USL Division One, that is unknown at the moment.
I highly recommend reading the ESPN article by Jeff Carlisle titled “Will USL’s Move to Pro-Rel Change U.S. Soccer, Threaten MLS?” In there, Carlisle discusses the reasons behind the decision and that it is mostly financial. For example, a USL spokesperson said they expect to see an increase in commercial revenue by 15% to 30% due to promotion/relegation. Also, the former owner of San Diego Loyal lost $40 million in 4 seasons. As for the reaction from MLS, we have not heard one yet. The only possible reaction we have seen from them is what the former MLS Next Pro president, Charles Altchek, told to Backheeled back on March 6th, 2025. In the interview, he told them they aim to have 40 to 50 teams and a possible second league with one of the MLS Next Pro leagues being a second division, putting it in direct competition with USL Championship. The biggest question is, whichever league that is, can compete for fans? Due to the Apple TV deal, we currently do not have the ratings of MLS Next Pro. The closest idea we have is the attendance, which is 5,580 for USL Championship per match to MLS Next Pro’s 3,361, according to Transfermarkt. Unlike the attendance, the viewership for USLC is much higher where the season premiere match had 453,000 viewers. MLS Next Pro’s massive expansion plan announcement date was either a coincidence, or MLS got word USL’s promotion/relegation implementation with the division one news, and this was their response. I will let you come to your own decision.
It seems, as of right now, it appears MLS will sit back and wait to see how the USL’s Division One and promotion/relegation will play. Division One and promotion/relegation will either be successful for USL and lead them to the financial success they are hoping for or lead to the possible collapse of USL. American sports fans are not the only ones keeping their eyes on USL now, but the rest of the soccer world is after their two massive news. The coming years are going to be exciting times for American soccer!
USMNT
From Maradona to Messi
From Maradona to Messi: A Quick Look at World Cups 1986–2022
Thomas Deschaine (@uskeeper on X and us_keeper on Instagram)
A quick look back at the last ten World Cups reveals how the world’s greatest sporting event has evolved and grown through the decades. With over 200 days until the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off, here’s a high-level recap of the tournaments that shaped its legacy, and a glimpse of what’s next.
1986 – Mexico
Diego Maradona delivered a World Cup for the ages, scoring both the “Goal of the Century” and the infamous “Hand of God” in the same match, then leading Argentina past West Germany to claim their second World Cup title.
1990 – Italy
The USA returned to the World Cup after a 50-year absence in what became the lowest-scoring tournament in history, as West Germany edged Argentina 1–0 on a late penalty. It marked West Germany’s final World Cup before reunification.
1994 – United States
The USA hosted its first-ever World Cup, setting all-time attendance records as Brazil defeated Italy in the tournament’s first final decided by a penalty shootout in front of the largest crowds in US since the 1984 Olympics.
1998 – France
FIFA’s first 32-team World Cup saw host nation France capture its first-ever title, becoming the seventh country to win the trophy. Led by Zinedine Zidane triumphed on home soil with a commanding victory over defending champions Brazil.
2002 – South Korea/Japan
The first World Cup with co-hosting nations saw South Korea stun many by reaching the semifinals, while Brazil claimed their fifth title, powered by Ronaldo’s two goals in the final against Germany.
2006 – Germany
Germany came up short on home soil, losing in extra time to eventual first-time finalist Italy in the semifinal. Italy went on to claim its fourth World Cup, edging France on penalties in a final forever marked by Zidane’s infamous headbutt in extra time.
2010 – South Africa
The first World Cup hosted by a CAF nation, South Africa, saw the host nation become the first ever to fail to advance past the group stage. Meanwhile, Spain captured their first World Cup, showcasing their tiki-taka mastery and defeating the Netherlands in extra-time with Andrés Iniesta’s decisive goal.
2014 – Brazil
Host nation Brazil reached the semifinals on home soil but suffered a shocking 7–1 defeat to Germany and then fell 3-0 to the Netherlands in the third-place match. Germany went on to defeat Argentina in extra time, with Mario Götze scoring the decisive goal, while Lionel Messi claimed the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player.
2018 – Russia
France’s golden generation, spearheaded by tournament Best Young Player Kylian Mbappé, captured their second World Cup title with a thrilling 4–2 victory over Croatia, led by Golden Ball winner Luka Modrić.
2022 – Qatar
The 2022 World Cup, overshadowed by controversies over migrant worker treatment and extreme heat, which pushed the tournament to November and December, ultimately delivered a historic finale. Lionel Messi achieved crowning glory as Argentina triumphed on penalties in a thrilling 3–3 final against France, highlighted by Kylian Mbappé’s hat-trick.
2026 – United States/Mexico/Canada
The 2026 World Cup will feature a major expansion from 32 to 48 teams and, for the first time ever, be hosted by three nations. Mexico will make history as the first country to host matches in three different World Cups, while the United States becomes the sixth nation to host at least twice. What unforgettable moments will define this landmark tournament?
USMNT
One Home or Many? The Debate Over a Primary Venue for U.S. Soccer
Thomas Deschaine (@uskeeper on X and us_keeper on Instagram)
The logics of the United States make it almost impossible for the USMNT or USWNT to have a primary venue to play all of their home matches but a trend of playing in a handful of stadiums has been developing over the last couple of cycles. US Soccer says there are specific factors behind where matches are played, some make sense, while others come across as lazy or lacking creativity.
If and when Major League Soccer aligns with the FIFA calendar and observes international breaks, more MLS stadiums could become available for matches. While not all MLS venues currently feature natural grass, US Soccer has indicated they would be willing to invest in installing grass, though at a cost of around $500K and with potential concerns about surface reliability.
Global Approach to Scheduling
Many of the top-tier international teams play their World Cup qualifiers and other critical matches in a primary venue or two. Here’s a sample of some of those countries and generally where they play based on my research.
Here are some of the more notable nations that play nearly all of their home matches at a single venue, a setup made practical by their smaller size and simpler logistics, which also makes it easier for fans.
Germany and Spain are known for rotating their non-critical home matches across multiple venues.
Argentina-Estadio Monumental (River Plate)
Belgium– King Baudouin Stadium (Brussels)
Colombia-Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Meléndez
England-Wembley Stadium
France– Stade de France (Saint-Denis, near Paris)
Italy-Stadio Olimpico
Northern Ireland-Windsor Park (Belfast)
Norway-Ullevaal Stadion (Oslo)
Portugal– Estádio da Luz (Lisbon)
Republic of Ireland-Aviva Stadium (Dublin)
Scotland-Hampden Park (Glasgow)
Uruguay-Estadio Centenario
Wales-Cardiff City Stadium
What’s in a location?
Here’s a look at the past few cycles, highlighting the USMNT’s home matches and the venues they’ve used. While US Soccer has clarified that they don’t control Gold Cup or Nations League venue selection, a point still under debate, they do manage the locations for Friendlies and World Cup qualifiers and continue to review and adjust those choices.
2026 Cycle (Matches Scheduled Through the end of 2025) – 46 Home Matches – 30 unique cities
So far, half of the USMNT’s home matches in the 2026 cycle have been held across eight venues. Only two more windows, March and May/June, remain for Friendlies before the 2026 World Cup.
- 4-AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
- 4-Energizer Park, previously CityPark, St. Louis, Missouri
- 4-Q2 Stadium, Austin, Texas
- 3-Inter&Co Stadium (previously Orlando City Stadium and Exploria Stadium, Orlando, Florida
- 2-Allegiant Stadium, Paradise, Nevada
- 2-Geodis Park, Nashville, Tennessee
- 2-Rentschler Field, East Hartford, Connecticut
- 2-TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio
AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX
2022 Cycle – 43 Home Matches – 24 unique cities
I can almost give US Soccer a pass on city and venue selection during the 2022 cycle, given the global circumstances at the time. That said, it’s interesting that they scheduled three consecutive home World Cup qualifiers in Ohio, with final round two matches in Columbus. Columbus has been a recurring choice, hosting multiple qualifiers in 2014, 2018, and 2022, handling one match each during both the semifinal and final rounds of qualifying in 2014 and 2018.
Lower.com, Columbus, Ohio
2018 Cycle – 47 Home Matches – 33 unique cities
During the 2018 cycle, the USMNT played in a wider variety of cities and venues. Aside from four matches in Carson, California for the January camp, they only repeated a location eleven times.
Dignity Health Sports Park, Carson, CA
2014 Cycle – 43 Home Matches – 29 unique cities
During the 2014 cycle, the USMNT repeated cities twelve times, but only two cities hosted more than two matches: Carson, California, where two of three games were for Camp Cupcake, and Kansas City, Kansas, which hosted three matches.
Children’s Mercy Park, Kansas City, Kansas
2010 Cycle – 35 Home Matches – 18 unique cities
One of the leanest home schedules in recent cycles saw the USMNT play in just 18 different cities, with 11 of them hosting only a single match. Over half of their home games were concentrated in four cities: Carson, California (7 matches); Chicago, Illinois (5 matches); and Foxborough, Massachusetts and Washington, D.C. (3 matches each).
Soldier Field, Chicago, IL
2006 Cycle – 44 Home Matches – 24 unique cities
The USMNT played eight matches in Foxborough, Massachusetts—double the number held in the next two cities, Columbus, Ohio, and Miami, Florida, which each hosted four matches. Notably, the team has excelled in Foxborough, losing only once in 22 games played there.
Foxboro Stadium, Foxborough, MA
2002 Cycle – 38 Home Matches – 16 unique cities
During the 2002 cycle, California was clearly a preferred destination for the USMNT, hosting matches in five different cities across twelve games. Foxborough, Massachusetts, and Washington, D.C. each hosted five matches as well.
Rose Bowl Stadium, Pasadena, CA
1998 Cycle– 40 Home Matches – 21 unique cities
Washington D.C. was the city of choice for the USMNT during the 1998 cycle playing six matches. The USMNT would also play more than two matches in Los Angeles, California (5 matches), Foxborough, Massachusetts (4 matches) and Pasadena, California (3 matches) while playing only one match in twelve other cities.
RFK Stadium, Washington, DC
Long Term Venue Strategy
While US Soccer may favor a single venue for most USMNT and USWNT matches, doing so would limit access for thousands of fans across the country. However, with the move to Georgia and the Arthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer National Training Center set to open in early 2026, ahead of the World Cup, it’s likely that future matches will focus on venues within three to four hours of Atlanta. We can expect the majority of games to continue taking place in roughly ten to twelve core cities.
USL’s American Soccer Dream
From Maradona to Messi
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