Mauricio Pochettino released his 27-man roster for the Gold Cup on Thursday, May 22nd. As expected, the list is comprised of some surprise inclusions and noticeably absent names. Players will report to camp starting on June 1st ahead of two warm-up games.
The first game will be June 7th against Turkey at Rentschler Field in Connecticut. GEODIS Park in Nashville will be the site of the second game, a few days later on June 10th. With the World Cup a year away, will this roster be enough to compete and possibly win the Gold Cup?
As expected, big names like Weston McKennie, Tim Weah, and Gio Reyna will miss this international window because of their prior commitments to their club teams and the Club World Cup. It was also confirmed that Christian Pulisic won’t be on the roster.
Pulisic requested some time off to rest and recover after a long and productive club season in Europe. The US Soccer Federation granted his request in hopes that he can keep his current stellar form next season and into the World Cup.
Another noticeable name missing is Pulisic’s AC Milan club teammate, Yunus Musah. Pochettino claims Musah, like Pulisic, asked for this time off for personal reasons. Musah’s USMNT form had dipped of late, so it’s not a shock to see him left off the roster anyway. Josh Sargent and Antonee “Jedi” Robinson have also been left off the roster.
Robinson has been dealing with a nagging tendon injury in his knee, the same injury that knocked him out of the Nations League matches in March. Sargent’s absence was described as “a football decision.”
While some big-name stars might be missing from this Gold Cup roster, that opens up spots for some relative newcomers to take advantage of. There are five players who are joining their first USMNT camp and hoping for their first cap.
Matt Freese of MLS’s New York City FC will join a group of seasoned goalkeepers in the net. While another MLS player, Alex Freeman of Orlando City, will get a shot to earn his cap alongside several other young wingbacks. Former USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter’s son, Sebastian Berhalter, receives his first call-up to the senior team. He’ll join a crowded midfield along with another first-timer, Quinn Sullivan of the Philadelphia Union.
Jumping across the pond, 20-year-old Damion Downs of Köln in the Bundesliga 2 division will try his hand at putting goals in the net. Downs scored ten goals in 29 appearances for the Billy Goats this year on the way to winning the division and earning a promotion. Will Downs be able to find success with the USMNT, or will his national team form not match his club form like so many other strikers?
While there are some surprises on this roster, there are still some core players. Keepers Zach Steffen and Matt Turner are the two most likely to get caps. Steffen has played well for MLS side Colorado Rapids, while Turner still isn’t seeing regular football. Sergiño Dest makes his return to the USMNT roster for the first time since March 2024. He’ll join veteran centerback pairing Tim Ream and Chris Richards to provide leadership on the backline.
The midfield will be anchored by the stalwart Tyler Adams, who made 44 appearances for the USMNT. He’s been hampered by injuries over the last few years, but when available, no one is better at his position. Striker, as has been the case for nearly a decade, will be a huge focus this cycle. Folarin Balogun (5 goals in 17 appearances) will likely get ample opportunity to show his form, while Haji Wright (4/15) and Patrick Agyemang (3/4) should be showcased as well.
The USMNT’s 27-man Gold Cup roster blends bold risks and proven talent, setting the stage for a defining tournament. With stars like Pulisic absent and newcomers like Downs getting their chance, Pochettino’s vision faces scrutiny from fans. Fans, eyeing the 2026 World Cup, crave a Gold Cup run to signal progress. Can this revamped USMNT squad deliver in June, or will missing veterans prove too costly? The answers start soon at Rentschler Field.
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