Weah and McKennie May Be Impacted by Pochettino’s System
Football analyst Hercules Gomez shared insights on Timothy Weah and Weston McKennie’s potential exclusion from the U.S. Men’s National Team (USMNT) under new head coach Mauricio Pochettino.
The aftermath of the October international break has been somewhat quiet for USMNT players. The injury list is growing, with notable absences including Christian Pulisic from AC Milan, Malik Tillman from Bayer Leverkusen, and Antonee Robinson from Fulham, all of whom were omitted from their teams’ game-day rosters over the weekend.
Many U.S. players who avoided injuries found themselves relegated to substitute roles during matches. In the UEFA Champions League, some American players saw more minutes, although their performances varied. ESPN will continue to monitor player performances and fitness levels as part of its countdown to the World Cup next June.
With just 232 days until the World Cup roster announcement, ESPN aims to keep fans informed about which players are likely to be included.
Sergiño Dest | Fullback | PSV Eindhoven
2025-26 minutes: 860
2025-26 FotMob rating: 7.5
Dest’s Position Might Be at Risk
Sergiño Dest’s skills are well-recognized, but he sometimes struggles with timing. Following a victory against Go Ahead Eagles, he was set to start in the Champions League against Napoli, but arriving late to the stadium caused his removal from the starting lineup by manager Peter Bosz.
Fortunately, Dest was substituted into the match late on, avoiding major penalties. However, his inability to demonstrate reliability is becoming a concern, especially after missing the previous USMNT roster due to an injury. As such, other options, like Tim Weah and Alex Freeman, are being considered for the right side of defense.
Folarin Balogun | Forward | AS Monaco
2025-26 minutes: 589
2025-26 FotMob rating: 6.7
Balogun Needs Consistency to Maintain His Spot
This past week was mixed for Balogun. After starting on the bench against Angers, he came on to score in the 72nd minute, contributing to a 1-1 draw. He later started in the Champions League versus Tottenham but was unable to score despite getting several chances, thwarted by goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario.
While Balogun’s recent ability to score shows promise, he faces stiff competition within the Monaco squad and from other players, including Ricardo Pepi, who made an impact recently. Balogun will need to showcase more consistency to secure his place in the team.
Cristian Roldan | Midfielder | Seattle Sounders
2025 minutes: 3,605
2025 FotMob rating: 7.4
Roldan’s Performance Highlights as MLS Playoffs Approach
The intensity of the MLS playoffs begins this week, with greater spotlight on players like Cristian Roldan, who has recently emerged as a key contributor for both club and country. His standout moments have occurred not only in domestic matches but also against top international competition.
The Seattle Sounders will face Minnesota United in the playoffs, and with Roldan’s current form, they remain a strong contender. His performances have drawn Pochettino’s attention as he makes preparations for the national team.
Injury Concerns in the USMNT
The USMNT has faced significant injury setbacks in the No. 10 position. Weston McKennie and Diego Luna are featured in this week’s form lineup as injuries affect players like Pulisic and Alejandro Zendejas. Pulisic’s hamstring issue could see him miss upcoming matches, while Zendejas has recently faced his own injury concerns.
Despite the setbacks, McKennie has looked sharp, particularly during the October window. His versatile play could see him filling a crucial role in Pochettino’s plans as he aims to establish a consistent starting lineup.
Antonee Robinson, expected to make his return, continues to recover from surgery and did not feature in recent matches, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the USMNT’s defense moving forward.
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