As the 2026 World Cup draws nearer, now just 100 days away from its kickoff, the United States men's national soccer team is entering a critical phase of preparation. The upcoming March international window represents the final opportunity for players to impress manager Mauricio Pochettino before the pre-World Cup camp in May, where the roster is expected to solidify. According to ESPN's latest big board prediction, version 5.0, compiled by analyst Herculez Gomez, the depth chart highlights a mix of established stars and emerging talents vying for spots in the squad that will face Paraguay in the tournament's opening clash.
Pochettino, who has taken an open-minded approach to selections since assuming control of the USMNT, has emphasized that no player's position is guaranteed. 'He has given opportunities up and down the depth chart, insisting that nobody's position is safe,' Gomez wrote in the analysis. This philosophy comes into sharp focus as the team assembles for what Gomez likens to 'base camp on Mt. Everest,' with the summit being the World Cup itself. The March friendlies, potentially including a matchup against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal, will serve as a tactical sharpening ground and a last chance for impressions.
In goal, Matt Freese of New York City FC remains the frontrunner for the starting role. Freese, who has been solid in USMNT appearances, showed consistency in a recent win over the Philadelphia Union following a shaky season-opening 1-1 draw with the LA Galaxy. However, Gomez notes lingering doubts, as Freese has yet to deliver a standout 'stood-on-his-head' performance, partly due to the strong play in front of him. Trailing closely is Matt Turner of the New England Revolution, whose return to MLS has provided valuable minutes. Despite the Revs' losses in their first two games, Turner's saves prevented 1.39 expected goals (xG), ranking sixth in the league. Pochettino has downplayed past experience, including Turner's World Cup pedigree, prioritizing current form.
Further back, Patrick Schulte of Columbus Crew is banking on equity built with the manager, though the Crew's slow start—a loss and a draw under new coach Henrik Rydström—hasn't helped. Schulte's recent outings have been underwhelming, but Gomez predicts a couple of solid performances could secure his place. Among backups, Zack Steffen's extensive club experience with teams like Manchester City and Columbus belies his current depth chart position, while FC Cincinnati's Roman Celentano has impressed early, ranking second in MLS with 1.99 goals prevented.
The center back lineup appears robust, led by Chris Richards of Crystal Palace, who has fully recovered from a December foot laceration. Richards' consistent form has him atop the pecking order, poised for heavy minutes in March. Veteran Anton Ream provides leadership, though his early-season vulnerability raises questions. Mark McKenzie of Toulouse is on pace to exceed his career-high 2,497 minutes from last year, already surpassing 1,600 despite a recent yellow-card suspension. Tim Ream, at 37, remains a 'wise, old head' in the locker room, essential for Pochettino's young squad.
At fullback, Miles Robinson of FC Cincinnati is expected to thrive in a three-man backline, offering versatility as an outside back. His role aligns well with Pochettino's tactical plans. A notable tug-of-war involves 18-year-old Noahkai Banks, currently with Augsburg. Banks told Sky Sports Germany last weekend that he is 'very torn' about choosing between the U.S. and Germany internationally. Gomez urges Pochettino to call him up to sway his commitment, citing Banks' warranting club form. On the right, Sergiño Dest of PSV Eindhoven is thriving, on track for career-high appearances and minutes after an injury-plagued 2024-25, potentially shifting forward or to the left in Pochettino's system.
Antonee Robinson's injury recovery with Fulham has been turbulent; after six straight 90-minute games, he's faced competition from Ryan Sessegnon and a recent ankle issue, though he returned against West Ham on Wednesday. Despite this, he's the presumed USMNT starter. Tim Freeman, now at Villarreal, has earned cameos in a third-place LaLiga side, leveraging prior trust with Pochettino. Patrick Arfsten of Columbus remains on standby amid Robinson's woes, holding strong standing despite the Crew's early struggles.
Midfield presents fierce competition, with Tyler Adams of Bournemouth's recent return from injury a boon, given his range and tackling. Fans remain anxious about his health history. Aidan Morris of Middlesbrough is enjoying consistent performances in the English Championship, aiding his promotion push and likely earning a call-up as MLS players ramp up. Cristian Roldan embodies Pochettino's 'their guys' archetype—reliable role-fillers who earn trust. 'Every manager has "their guys," players who might not be the most talented, but fill a role to a tee,' Gomez observed of Roldan.
Johnny Cardoso of Atlético Madrid has surged with six starts in seven league games and a key Champions League goal against Club Brugge, leapfrogging rivals thanks to his LaLiga exposure. Hannes Wolf of Lyon, despite recent team dips, offers midfield-backline versatility, potentially partnering Adams. Weston McKennie of Juventus is a standout, excelling across positions under new manager Luciano Spalletti. 'About the only position McKennie hasn't played in recent months is goalkeeper. He would probably do well in that role too,' Gomez quipped, underscoring his form as a must-start intrigue.
Tim Weah of Marseille's wide versatility fits various roles, though Dest may edge him at wing back. If Pochettino opts for a 4-2-3-1, Weah could attack from the wing. Brenden Aaronson of Leeds has cooled with no goal contributions in seven games but remains valuable for defending from the front, especially with injured competitors. Tim Tillman of Bayer Leverkusen has positives, including a two-goal Champions League outing against Villarreal, securing enough minutes for roster inclusion.
Up top, Folarin Balogun of AS Monaco is pulling away as the starter, with two goals against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League and orchestrating a 3-2 comeback win over Lens. 'At this stage, it will make for a colossal upset if Balogun isn't the starting forward,' Gomez stated. Ricardo Pepi of PSV marked his broken arm recovery with a substitute goal in a 3-1 win over Heerenveen on February 21, narrowing the gap behind Balogun. Tim Wright of Coventry City has rebounded from a slow start, scoring seven in nine after just three in 18, edging out Patrick Agyemang for the final forward spot—for now.
Bubble players face uphill battles. Yunus Musah of Atalanta scored twice recently—a goal in a 2-1 loss to Sassuolo and a late equalizer in a 2-2 Coppa Italia draw with Lazio—but his 244 minutes since January leave him sidelined. 'Little has gone Musah's way this season,' Gomez noted, dimming his once-lock status. Diego Luna of Real Salt Lake missed the first two games, precarious amid injuries elsewhere. Others like Joe Scally of Borussia Mönchengladbach, coming off the bench, and John Tolkin of Holstein Kiel, on a winless team, remain long shots.
Defenders like Auston Trusty of Celtic suffered setbacks with a red card in a 2-1 home loss to Hibernian and a 4-1 Europa League defeat to VfB Stuttgart. Walker Zimmerman and Miles Robinson are weighed against Banks' Augsburg play. Midfield logjams challenge James Sands of St. Pauli (1,700+ minutes) and Kristian Berhalter, whose set pieces shine but require elevated play. Alex Zendejas' February 8 goal against Monterrey was cut short in the source, but his contributions keep him in contention.
This March window, the last before May's pre-camp, underscores the USMNT's depth and Pochettino's merit-based selections. With the World Cup co-hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico starting in June 2026, the team's form will be scrutinized amid high expectations. Gomez's board reflects a blend of club performances, injuries, and international eligibility battles, setting the stage for tactical evolutions. As players like Banks deliberate their futures and veterans like Ream provide stability, the path to the summit grows steeper, but the talent pool suggests a competitive roster ready to climb.