USMNT offers: Young players take chances in perfect post-World Cup camp

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Mauricio Pochettino’s main goal in his first USA camp since the World Cup was not to win all four matches. Games were secondary to combining more than a dozen perspectives and adopting its principles. It was about relationships off the field and chemistry on it.

And along the way, he’d be thrilled if his team could come together quickly and win a few of those quality friendlies crammed into 11 days across three time zones.

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There were smiles and satisfaction among the group as the players packed their bags and left Allianz Field to fly to their clubs late on Tuesday, although striker Justin Ellis had already left to undergo an MRI after injuring his right lower leg.

A 1-0 win over Canada capped off an international window that exceeded all expectations. The Americans went 12-3 in four of their most successful games against various opponents in 10 years and have not conceded a goal in the last 221 minutes.

All 28 players appeared. Thirteen newcomers made their debuts, including eight juniors. Even with the mix of experience levels, there were moments when the U.S. looked like it had been playing together for years.

“As we said going into this camp, there’s no pressure for any of these guys to perform right now, but a lot of them have performed now,” captain Tyler Adams said. “Obviously, they set the standard. Now it’s about continuing to maintain that standard.”

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Friendlies don’t usually matter much, but for Pochettino and his brilliant squad, the performances in those friendlies – and the work done at their training headquarters in Georgia and sessions in many other cities – meant everything.

“We were just talking to the players in the meeting,” Pochettino said after the match. “I think yes, they deserve credit. We’re not just talking about the results; we’re talking about the way we competed and the way we built this journey together. I think it’s been amazing and it’s a starting point to go on.”

Here are other takeaways from camp:

Children are good

Pochettino’s decision to invite so many young players to the senior camp was surprising at first, but it paid off well. Not only did they gain experience; they flourished.

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18-year-old Julian Hall scored 3 goals. Ellis, 19, scored twice, including the winner against Canada after suffering from an injury. 17-year-old Mathis Albert became the youngest goal scorer in US history – until four days later, 17-year-old Sullivan broke his own record.

Several others have embraced their introduction, showing that while they may not be World Cup ready, they have the potential to provide depth and push experienced players for roster spots and minutes.

Pochettino does not see the United States joining the global elite tomorrow. It is a process, and with the next World Cup four years away, he hopes that by unearthing and integrating new talent now, he will have a strong and deep squad by 2030.

“The most difficult thing now is how we support this young player,” Pochettino said. “It’s always easier to come there and make a debut, but now how do we develop with them and how do we protect, how do we guide, how do we make them understand that now they have more responsibility?”

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In a few weeks, Pochettino will have to make some tough decisions regarding his young charges. The USA returns to official action with a two-game series against Haiti in the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Nations League.

At the same time, there are plans for an under-23 camp for Olympic-eligible players. With the 2028 Olympics being held in Los Angeles, the tournament is a top priority for the US Soccer Federation. Pochettino is working closely with U-23 coach Steve Cherundolo to build a squad capable of winning medals — something the U.S. men haven’t done in the modern Olympic era.

All the young players in this senior camp can make the Olympic squad and preparations should start soon.

Before this senior camp started, Pochettino probably thought most, if not all, would be heading to the U-23 camp next month. Seeing what he’s done in these two weeks, he could pick a few for the Nations League matches.

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“There are a lot of new faces and they all had a lot of energy and worked hard while they were here,” midfielder Gio Reyna said. “Now it’s about everyone going back to the clubs and that decision is up to Mauricio in terms of who comes back and who doesn’t.”

Veteran pressure

With an expanding player pool, should the regulars start to worry about their spot on the team?

Christian Pulisic, Folarin Balogun and Weston McKennie, among others, were not invited to this camp as they recovered from injuries.

All three are likely to return to the Nations League. But nothing is certain. And Pochettino has made it clear that he only wants players who are fully committed to the program, regardless of skill level.

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Even if one player commits to sticking to Pochettino’s plan, competition for roster spots will come into play. Will Tim Weah, Brenden Aaronson and other World Cup players remain in the mix?

Keeping up with the keepers

Pochettino has given game time to all four goalkeepers in camp, leaving the door open for a starting job.

All four started a game. After playing a half in the first two games, newcomers Diego Kochen, 20, and Brian Schwake, 25, looked comfortable and recorded shutouts in 90-minute appearances in the last two matches.

World Cup starter Matt Freese played the first 45 minutes of the first game against Peru and did not play again. He was out of form on Tuesday. Chris Brady, the third World Cup goalkeeper, struggled in his lone game against Chile and did not play again.

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2022 World Cup starter and 2026 second keeper Matt Turner has not been invited to this camp.

Once a position of great strength in American soccer, goaltending will be given high priority as the U.S. staff monitors candidates in league play and evaluates options for the Nations League and beyond.

Gio Reyna is growing up

Reyna was the only player to start all four matches, and for the first time in her US career, she looks and acts like a leader and role model. He also played well, partnering with Malik Tillman and showing versatility working in a purely offensive role and dropping deep to orchestrate the attack.

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Remember: he’s only 23 years old.

Even when Reyna wasn’t a regular in Germany last season, Pochettino believed in him – so much so that he called him up for the World Cup squad. Now Reyna is developing in the French club Strasbourg.

“Gio is really mature now,” said Pochettino. “He is still very young, but he is also one of the leaders of the group and he helps a lot and is always positive. Yes, everything we see from him is very positive. So we believe he will play.”

CONCACAF supremacy

For what it’s worth, the U.S. may have regional bragging rights for this window after beating Mexico 3-0 in Greater Phoenix on Saturday and defeating the plucky Canadians in Minnesota.

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They lost each of the previous two matches against their neighbors. The next goal is to dethrone Mexico as Gold Cup and Nations League champions.

While the USA went 4-0-0 in the window, Mexico was 0-2-2 and Canada 2-1-0.