The Gold Cup squad is now official, and despite absences, offers insight into how the coaching staff views the player pool
It's now official. We know the 26 players that will represent the U.S. men's national team at this summer's Gold Cup. So much focus will be on the list of players that have dropped out over the past few weeks – Christian Pulisic, Antonee Robinson, Yunus Musah, Folarin Balugun and just Thursday, Sergino Dest – to name a few.
The word seemingly hovering over this squad since the original pre-Gold Cup roster announcement has been "absence." For those that did make the 26, though, the word of the summer is "opportunity."
Just one year out from a World Cup, players are vying for spots on next year's team and, for several, that truly begins at the Gold Cup. The squad is loaded with both new faces and veterans eager to prove themselves to USMNT boss Mauricio Pochettino.
The coach's selections already offer some indication of where the player pool stands. He's made some tough calls with this 26-man squad. Pochettino left some familiar faces at home, aside from those out because of injury or Club World Cup commitments, and he's also opted to include some newcomers with legitimate chances of making the USMNT going forward.
With the squad now complete, GOAL breaks down the winners and losers from Pochettino's Gold Cup roster selection.
Getty Images SportWINNER: The Aaronson brothers
Brenden Aaronson was the first to know that his younger brother, Paxten, would be joining him in the team. He was sitting right next to him when he got the call. That meant that both brothers would get a major chance this summer. It also meant that the two could make history together, too.
Should the two Aaronsons see the field together at the Gold Cup, they would be just the second set of brothers in USMNT history to play alongside one another in an official competition. The others? James and Russell Murphy in 1957.
More importantly, what they can they do as individuals? Brenden heads into this Gold Cup fresh off a Nations League omission, and he'll surely be aware that he's fighting for a place in Pochettino's midfield. So too is his younger brother, who was a late call-up after a standout season at Utrecht. The two aren't just competing against the rest of the player pool – depending on how Pochettino views them positionally, they might just be competing against each other, too.
It's a brotherly battle that's been brewing since they were kids. Now, their family will be able to watch on as they play at the highest levels alongside one another.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesLOSER: Sergino Dest and Folarin Balogun
Heading towards the Gold Cup, there were two USMNT regulars that had yet to feature under Pochettino: Dest and Balogun. That was going to be one of the storylines of the summer: how would these two proven USMNT stars look under the still-new coach?
Both were initially included. And then both pulled out late due to injury issues. It's a setback, no doubt, for both the players and the team. Pochettino now misses out on a summer of working with two players that will likely be part of his roster for the 2026 World Cup.
Balogun's exit came first, as the Monaco star injured an ankle. It came after a season full of injuries, with a shoulder issue essentially derailing his club season. After really through with the USMNT last summer at the Copa America, Balogun hasn't been able to build on that momentum – at all. This summer was intended to be that opportunity. Instead, it's more time on the sidelines.
Same for Dest, who only recently returned from a year-long ACL absence. Ultimately, it was determined that his rehabilitation process would be best served without extensive game action this summer, which is logical but obviously disappointing. Dest has an irreplaceable skillset and presence, and the USMNT will look very different without him than they would with him.
Pochettino has had the opportunity to work with virtually every player in the pool – except those two. That next chance won't come until at least the fall, roughly a year after Pochettino's arrival.
GettyWINNER: Alex Freeman
The right-back position has suddenly opened up, leaving a wide-open path for a player who has the potential to be the breakout star of the summer.
Freeman has certainly broken out in MLS. He's emerged as one of the league's best with Orlando City, combining athletic ability with attacking know-how to really impress. His club contributions earned him a USMNT call-up but, with Dest pulling out of the squad, Freeman suddenly has a legitimate chance to make a real impression.
The only other natural right-back in the team is Nathan Harriel, who was called in as a late injury replacement. That likely means Freeman is the guy at right-back, at least initially. If he starts these games off well, Freeman could certainly play significant minutes before the Gold Cup run is done.
Will it be easy to catch the likes of Dest and Joe Scally on the depth chart? No, but the only way Freeman would have a chance to do that would be to play meaningful minutes. That opportunity is right there in front of him now – can he seize it?
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Getty Images SportLOSER: Zack Steffen and Patrick Schulte
One of the intentions this summer was to find some separation in the great USMNT goalkeeper competition. Matt Turner would be defending his title against all comers. His lack of club minutes had ignited this competition and, this summer, others would get an opportunity to show why they, not Turner, could be the guy heading into the World Cup next year.
That was until the two chief contenders, Zack Steffen and Patrick Schulte, were forced to pull out. Matt Freese is still on the team, and Chris Brady was called-up after Schulte exited. Those two could theoretically push Turner through the Gold Cup, but there's no doubt that this competition has a different complexion than it did a week or so ago.
Schulte, in particular, will be frustrated to miss out. While both Steffen and Turner have years of USMNT games on their resume, the Columbus Crew shot-stopper could have used this summer to show that he's ready to take that leap. There may be more chances in the fall, sure, but, now, it seems that the Gold Cup will be more about Turner reinforcing his credentials than his competitors trying to prove theirs.
It's Turner's job to lose and, given how good he has generally been with the USMNT despite his club situation, bet on him putting in some strong shifts this summer. If he does that, he'll get closer to solidifying his place as No. 1.