USMNT Strikers Shine Amid Camp Competition

The strikers are all present! Folarin Balogun, Ricardo Pepi, and Haji Wright have arrived at camp and, more importantly, they are in excellent form. This trio boasts significant goal-scoring potential, yet questions remain about who will seize the opportunity to score on Saturday.

In the previous camp, both Balogun and Wright demonstrated their capabilities. Balogun scored during the draw against Ecuador, marking his second goal in consecutive starts after having netted against Japan. Wright made an impactful entry against Australia, scoring twice and solidifying his case for more playing time. Meanwhile, Pepi returns to camp for the first time this year following a long-term injury. He has been on a strong run with PSV, contributing crucial goals off the bench.

“The past few months have been challenging,” Pepi expressed. “My performance was inconsistent, but recently I’ve regained my footing in training. I feel more in sync with my body and healthy again, which is encouraging.”

Modern football typically favors a single striker formation, which places coach Pochettino in a position where he must choose between three exceptional options. However, there may be a possibility for him to utilize two of them. Given the midfield absences, could he experiment with a striking partnership? While it might not be his preferred system for the upcoming summer, this presents a valuable opportunity for experimentation.

“I don’t believe it would be a significant adjustment,” Balogun commented on the potential shift. “I’ve played in such setups at the club level. Pepi brings a different striker profile, and while we haven’t partnered together before, we’re capable players who can adapt. If the coach sees this as a necessity, we are prepared to make it work.”

Alternatively, Pochettino may opt to stick with the system that has been established in recent months. Yet, with the depth of talent available at the No. 9 position, there are compelling reasons to try new configurations.

With Chris Richards absent, the U.S. loses a consistent center-back presence. This opens doors for other defenders competing for spots to showcase their skills in his absence.

Tim Ream continues to impress as he strives for another World Cup appearance, while Miles Robinson and Mark McKenzie remain in contention for positions in the three-man backline. Additionally, Auston Trusty returns from Celtic, looking to leverage his growing role into more opportunities with the national team.

Another candidate is Joe Scally, who has experience playing as a right-sided center-back in a three-man defense. His return to the national team raises the question of whether he will factor into the selection process.

“Switching from a four-man to a five-man defense certainly benefits me, as I can operate as both a wingback and a center-back,” Scally stated. “We’ve discussed both roles, and Pochettino is aware of my versatility, making this a promising opportunity.”

This camp is brimming with players vying for key positions, and Pochettino’s choices in these matches will provide insight into which individuals he perceives as frontrunners for the final camp of 2025.

“There’s no place like home,” as Dorothy famously noted in The Wizard of Oz, and this weekend rings true for four USMNT players who are intimately familiar with Subaru Park. The Philadelphia Union alumni return with a point to prove.

“It’s a special venue,” McKenzie shared. “It holds a significant place in my heart, and it embodies the grit of playing in a city like this. There’s a sense of determination, which aligns with the qualities we aim to display for the national team.”

For McKenzie and Trusty, the stakes are evident. Brenden Aaronson, despite his resurgence at Leeds, continues to fight for his World Cup position. Goalkeeper Matt Freese, currently the No. 1, faces slim margins for error—any misstep could alter his standing.

The current dynamics differ markedly from when this quartet first played together. Previously, they were competing for minutes with the Union; now, they are battling for spots on the national team with the World Cup approaching. They remain mindful of their journey.

“You can witness the growth in everyone’s game,” McKenzie reflected. “We were just teenagers playing here with Bethlehem Steel against seasoned professionals. Fast forward ten years, and we find ourselves here now, a testament to hard work and sacrifice learned on these same fields.

“When we step onto the pitch, we reminisce about those formative moments—training together as kids and building habits. The chemistry resurfaces quickly; it just clicks.”

With Tyler Adams unavailable, the U.S. loses their quintessential safety net. The defining question arises: who will step up in his absence and prove their worth alongside him next summer?

Tanner Tessmann appears to be in a favorable position following a strong October camp. The Lyon midfielder possesses an ideal blend of size, athleticism, and skill, capable of complementing Adams’ roving role. An alternative is Bournemouth’s Aidan Morris, who is also in camp, seeking to build on his October performance.

Veteran Cristian Roldan from the Seattle Sounders brings depth and versatility, while Sebastian Berhalter showcases a strong mentality and good form with the Vancouver Whitecaps as he continues to evolve as a national team player. Additionally, Timmy Tillman aims to make a strong late push for inclusion, having excelled with LAFC.

Similar to the center-backs, the central midfielders are eager to prove their compatibility both with and without the star player, especially with the World Cup nearing. This camp offers a significant opportunity to demonstrate their potential against formidable opponents.

Lastly, attention inevitably turns to Gio Reyna, who is also contending for his World Cup future. His situation, however, is complex. His recent call-up diverges from Pochettino’s typical approach, which emphasizes the importance of consistent club performance. Despite Reyna’s limited playing time in recent years, Pochettino described him as a “special” talent, warranting at least one more opportunity to showcase his capabilities.

Now, it is Reyna’s task to capitalize on that chance, and his teammates note that the urgency is palpable.

“He hasn’t allowed the challenges faced overseas to affect this camp, which is refreshing,” Ream noted. “We’ve had a few discussions, and he is actively engaging in training, asking questions about our movements and tactical understanding. His focus seems heightened, more so than I’ve observed before, which is encouraging.”

The challenge now is for Reyna to translate this focus into on-field performance, which is crucial for impressing the coaching staff—his primary objective now that he is back with the team.