The U.S. men’s national team will officially begin its new era under Mauricio Pochettino this October, opening the door for some first-time players, and providing a return for others.
Pochettino will officially be on the sidelines as the USMNT faces Panama and Mexico in the coming weeks. The former Tottenham, Chelsea, and PSG boss begins his new chapter on the international level and has already admitted that the door to being part of the long-term USMNT plans remains very much open.
Richie Ledezma, Luca Koleosho, and Taylor Booth are three players who have excelled at club level when given the opportunity. All three will certainly be chomping at the bit to get into Pochettino’s plans as early as October.
Mark McKenzie, Cameron Carter-Vickers, and Auston Trusty have all been in the USMNT plans under Gregg Berhalter, but will now hope to do the same under Pochettino. With the USMNT centerback corps continuing to grow, a positive first impression could do wonders for all three players.
Here is a closer look at which American players deserve more of a USMNT look under new head coach Mauricio Pochettino:
Richie Ledezma
Four years since his last USMNT appearance, Richie Ledezma could very well be back on the radar.
Ledezma has earned a new opportunity with PSV, playing consistently at right back under Peter Bosz. The 24-year-old has made six appearances across all competitions this season, excelling for the reigning Eredivisie winners.
After previously breaking into the USMNT plans as an attacking midfielder, Ledezma’s shift to right back comes at an important time with Sergino Dest sidelined.
Luca Koleosho
Italy looks to be where Luca Koleosho’s heart lies, but the arrival of Pochettino could sway the winger to consider a USMNT career.
The 20-year-old dual national continues through the EFL Championship campaign with Burnley, scoring twice in five appearances so far. He scored one goal and added one assist for the Clarets in the English Premier League last season, earning an immediate opportunity under then-manager Vincent Kompany.
Koloesho has not represented the United States at any level since 2019, mainly featuring for both of Italy’s Under-19 and Under-21 sides. A world class manager like Pochettino though could be what shifts Koleosho’s focus to the USMNT though, especially with the 2026 World Cup taking place in North America.
Mark McKenzie
Mark McKenzie has been in the USMNT mix since debuting in 2018, but now could finally lock his spot down under Pochettino.
After making a move to Ligue 1 this past summer, McKenzie now has a new opportunity in a top-five European league. The former Philadelphia Union homegrown defender has earned three caps over the last two years combined, despite being a regular player in Belgium with KRC Genk.
The USMNT’s revolving door of centerbacks means McKenzie will certainly get his chance in front of Pochettino.
Rokas Pukstas
There is a bounty of youth in the USMNT player pool and Rokas Pukstas is one knocking on the door.
Pukstas is in his fourth season with Croatian side Hajduk Split and is coming off a career-best year for the club. The Oklahoma native scored eight goals in 32 appearances last season before logging 11 appearances to date in the current campaign.
Not many 20-year-olds are playing consistent first team football, but Pukstas is an exception.
Diego Luna
Wing play is something the USMNT are always needing, and Diego Luna could be a big boost to the position.
Luna has scored seven goals and added eight assists in 30 combined appearances for Real Salt Lake this season. The 21-year-old is a powerful dribbler and facilitator, something the USMNT lacks on a consistent basis.
Luna’s snub from the U.S. Olympic Team last summer is something that Pochettino will certainly know about heading into his first few camps in October and November.
Duncan McGuire
Back-to-back double-digit goalscoring seasons for Orlando City’s Duncan McGuire warrants him a new USMNT opportunity.
McGuire has tallied 25 goals in 66 combined appearances for the Lions, which has led to the young forward earning a new contact with the club. Despite interest from England last summer, McGuire has remained in MLS and continues to score at a very high rate.
Folarin Balogun, Haji Wright, Josh Sargent, and Ricardo Pepi are the USMNT’s top four strikers right now, but McGuire could force his way into the mix with a strong end of the year.
