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USMNT World Cup roster watch: How many MLS players are pushing for spots?

· Yahoo Sports

Since its launch 30 years ago, Major League Soccer has made substantial contributions to the U.S. World Cup effort. The number of players invited to the carnival has varied with each four-year cycle, and with coach Mauricio Pochettino less than three months from naming the 26-man roster, several candidates from the home circuit are again well-positioned to make the cut.

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Throughout his tenure, Pochettino has said adamantly that MLS employment would not handicap anyone and performance for both country and club, irrespective of the league, would help determine selections.

The majority of the World Cup squad will come from European leagues in England, Germany, Italy, Spain, France and the Netherlands because, after all, that’s where most of the best Americans work.

So where does the MLS legion stand?

Since making his international debut last June, New York City goalkeeper Matt Freese has solidified his hold atop the depth chart by starting — and largely playing well — the last 12 matches of 2025. New England’s Matt Turner, the 2022 World Cup starter, seems certain to remain the primary back-up, with Columbus’ Patrick Schulte, a 2024 Olympian, or Chicago’s Chris Brady probably filling out the keeper corps.

Columbus wing back Max Arfsten, 24, was one of several newcomers who proved their worth last year, tying Freese for the most starts (13) and showing capacity to step in on the left flank for oft-injured starter Antonee Robinson.

Tim Ream (R) and Charlotte FC struggled in a 3-0 loss to the LA Galaxy on Saturday at Dignity Health Sports Park.IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect / REUTERS

As a fixture on the backline, center back Tim Ream seems all but locked into a roster slot, if not a starting job. But at 38, he is showing cracks, most recently Saturday during a terrible first half in Charlotte’s 3-0 loss to the Los Angeles Galaxy.

Ream played every minute at the 2022 World Cup and appeared to enter a transitional phase this cycle, offering experience and leadership until less-seasoned players found their international footing. Last year, though, Pochettino used him for more minutes than any other non-goalkeeper.

Vancouver midfielder Sebastian Berhalter, 24, was a 2025 revelation with his set-piece acuity, tenacity and smarts. While not certain of making the final cut, it would be hard to see Pochettino leaving him behind.

The same might be said about Real Salt Lake midfielder Diego Luna, 22, who crashed the party last year with the most production (four goals, four assists) in a team-high 17 appearances. However, a knee injury has sidelined him at the start of the season and could jeopardize his availability for training camp later this month — the last gathering before the World Cup squad is named in late May.

In Seattle’s Cristian Roldan, a 30-year-old midfielder who returned to the mix in the fall, Pochettino has a “glue guy” — someone to impart wisdom, strengthen the locker room and, when called upon, do the dirty work. Roldan scored on a header in Seattle’s 2-1 loss at Real Salt Lake on Saturday.

Among others in contention: Cincinnati center back Miles Robinson, who started three consecutive U.S. matches in the fall; Vancouver center back Tristan Blackmon, the MLS defender of the year; Charlotte midfielder Luca de la Torre; and forward Josh Sargent, who hopes his move to Toronto from England’s Norwich City last week will rekindle his darkening outlook.

Striker Haji Wright continued pocketing goals as part of Coventry City’s surge toward Premier League promotion, scoring in the 12th minute of a 2-1 victory over Stoke City.

He has scored five times in four matches for 16 overall this season, and his 15 goals in the English Championship are second, one off the lead. After a winter rut, Coventry has rebuilt an eight-point lead over Middlesbrough, which will visit Birmingham City on Monday with midfielder Aidan Morris expected to start. Two clubs will move up.

The other U.S. scorer in the second flight, Derby County’s Patrick Agyemang, went scoreless for the third consecutive match, a 3-1 win over Blackburn Rovers. He has 10 goals and three assists this season.

In the Premier League, Bournemouth midfielder Tyler Adams went 62 minutes in his second straight start before coming off after a yellow card had been reviewed for a red. The 1-1 draw with Sunderland extended the Cherries’ unbeaten run to eight (4-0-4).

Leeds midfielder Brenden Aaronson logged 65 minutes in a 1-0 loss to Manchester City, extending the winless streak to four (0-1-3). Center back Chris Richards went the distance in Crystal Palace’s 2-1 loss at Manchester United, while left back Antonee Robinson, recovering from an ankle ailment, didn’t play in Fulham’s 2-1 triumph over Tottenham Hotspur.

Christian Pulisic has gone nine straight matches over two months without a goal following a faulty, 78-minute performance Sunday in second-place AC Milan’s 2-0 victory at Cremonese.

Four days after a stirring comeback and dramatic Champions League elimination, Weston McKennie and sixth-place Juventus came from two goals down late at Roma for a 3-3 draw. For the fifth consecutive match, the American midfielder went the distance. He missed a good chance on a first-half header, but his header off a stoppage-time free kick set up the late equalizer.

Midfielder Yunus Musah, a second-half sub for seventh-place Atalanta, scored in the 88th minute of a 2-1 loss at 10-man Sassuolo — his first club goal since the 2021-22 season with Valencia.

In Serie B, goalkeeper Jonathan Klinsmann and Cesena drew at Empoli, 1-1, extending the winless streak to four and six of seven.

Center back Noahkai Banks’ ascent continued with a terrific run and sterling assist during Augsburg’s 2-0 victory over Koln, his 17th consecutive Bundesliga start for which he was available. Winner of three straight, Augsburg is 5-1-2 in the past eight outings and up to ninth place.

Banks, who was in U.S. camp in September, could make his national team debut this month against Belgium or Portugal in Atlanta, but with dual citizenship, he said he has left the door open to representing Germany.

Recovered from injury, midfielder Gio Reyna was in a Mönchengladbach uniform for the first time since Jan. 17 but didn’t play in a 1-0 win over Union Berlin. Teammate Joe Scally, a right wing back, played 90.

Midfielder James Sands played the whole match as St. Pauli won at Hoffenheim, 1-0, for its third in four matches after going eight straight winless.

Midfielder Malik Tillman (ankle) remained sidelined for Bayer Leverkusen, which drew at Mainz, 1-1, for its third straight match without a victory.

In the second division, left back John Tolkin went the whole way in Holstein Kiel’s 1-1 draw with Elversberg, extending its winless skid to seven.

Monaco striker Folarin Balogun posted his fourth goal in four matches, breaking a scoreless tie early in the second half of a 2-0 win over Angers. He increased his Ligue 1 total to six and his overall count to 12.

In a clash between top-four clubs, right back Tim Weah (85 minutes) and Olympique Marseille rallied for two late goals at home to knock off midfielder Tanner Tessmann (90) and Lyon, 3-2.

In his 19th Ligue 1 start, Toulouse center back Mark McKenzie played 90 in a 1-0 loss at Rennes.

After scoring in the Champions League early in the week, midfielder Johnny Cardoso went 61 quality minutes in third-place Atlético Madrid’s 1-0 victory at Real Oviedo. On Tuesday, his club will take a 4-0 lead into the second leg of the Copa del Rey semifinal at Barcelona.

Since arriving from Orlando City about a month ago, right back Alex Freeman remains in the shadows at Villarreal with three appearances totaling 31 minutes. He didn’t play in a 4-1 loss at first-place Barcelona on Saturday.

Ricardo Pepi’s six-game scoring streak in the Eredivisie ended after playing the second half of first-place PSV Eindhoven’s 3-1 victory at Heracles. Right back Sergiño Dest went 90 minutes for the fourth time in a row.

In Mexico, Club America winger Alex Zendejas (adductor) wasn’t in uniform against Tigres, leaving him with just two appearances totaling 106 minutes over three months because of injuries and the winter break.

In Scotland, center back Auston Trusty missed Celtic’s 2-2 draw at archrival Rangers because of a red-card suspension.

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