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Way-too-early USMNT 2026 FIFA World Cup roster projection

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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



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Concacaf Gold Cup is becoming tarnished

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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.

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From Louisville to Lisbon: Joshua Wynder’s Journey with S.L. Benfica

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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. 

LOUvOKC.Photographer: EM Dash Photography

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.

Louisville City FC, LOUvPIT.Photographer: EM Dash Photography

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.

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A Legacy of Stars and Stripes: The Evolution of the USWNT Kits

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Thomas Deschaine (@uskeeper on X and us_keeper on Instagram)

The release of new kits is always an exciting moment for U.S. Soccer fans. Traditionally, U.S. Soccer unveils new designs during the spring or summer international windows. The USMNT did have their 2022 World Cup kits released in September, three months before the World Cup.

The USWNT recently debuted their new home kit during their last two friendlies, while the USMNT is expected to showcase their new away kit in the lead-up to the 2025 Gold Cup.

U.S. Soccer has unveiled two stunning new kits for the USWNT. The home jersey, dubbed The Brilliant Kit, will make its debut when the USWNT faces China. The away jersey, known as The Heartbeat Kit, will be worn by both the USWNT and USMNT. Both designs have been met with widespread praise from fans, with many calling them among the best in recent memory. I believe these are the sharpest U.S. kits we’ve seen in nearly fifteen years.

History of the USWNT Kit

For those who follow me on social media, you might remember a project I completed back in 2022, where I tracked the history of the USMNT from the evolution of the U.S. Soccer crest to the iconic team kits. Now, I’m channeling that same passion into a new labor of love: researching and recreating the kits of the USWNT to help preserve and celebrate their rich history.

USWNT Kits – 1985 – 1993

Forty years ago, the U.S. Women’s National Team played it’s first-ever match, wearing a white Adidas home kit with red diagonal pinstripes. But like many things in those early days, the kit wasn’t made with the women’s player in mind. The kits were designed for the men’s players in size and fit. For years, USWNT players were forced to pin back and alter oversized uniforms just to keep them from getting in the way on the field. It wasn’t until 1994 that they finally received a kit specifically tailored for women.

USWNT Kits 1994 – 2011

In 1994, the final year Adidas outfitted U.S. Soccer, the USWNT finally received its first uniquely designed kit made specifically for women. This marked the beginning of a new era, with the team continuing to wear custom kits through the 2011 World Cup.

USWNT Kits – 2012 – Current

Starting in 2012, Nike decided to unify the look of the USWNT and USMNT by having both teams wear the same kits. However, there have been a few exceptions over the years where one team debuted a unique design. A recent example is the newly released USWNT home kit, while the USMNT continues to wear the 2024 home kit.

USWNT and USMNT Kits Going Forward

Nike hit the most recent kit release out of the pitch, and it raises the question of what will be next for the USWNT and USMNT kit creations. The 2026 World Cup will see at least two new kits for the USMNT, with the USWNT likely wearing one or both of them.

For decades, both the USWNT and USMNT have struggled to establish a strong, unified identity through their kits. While some designs are instantly recognizable, there’s still a sense that both teams lack a distinct visual representation that truly reflects who they are. I hope that Nike continues to create kits that bring both teams together, while also allowing for occasional unique designs, once or twice per cycle, that capture the essence of American identity, something both teams have long needed

The true identity of the USWNT and USMNT is embodied in the Stars and Stripes, woven together in red, white, and blue, perhaps with the addition of a bold sash to complete the look.

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