I actually said in October that no player who hadn't been called up to a USMNT camp by then would make the roster. We still had multiple camps to go. I stuck by it then and I stand by it now. Even if Noahkai Banks called today and told Pochettino "I'm wanting to commit to the USMNT"........................he wouldn't be on the World Cup roster. Why do I think that? Due to every single comment Poch has ever made during his tenure as USMNT coach about team building and squad selection. The only uncapped player who has a chance at the roster is the 3rd string keeper. Even then, it'll be a guy that's been in USMNT camps under Pochettino. Chris Brady, Roman Celentano, etc. So no.............Julian Hall, Zavier Gozo, Logan Farrington, etc. won't be on the roster. If we need to take a forward other than Balogun, Wright, and Pepi.............it'll be White or Sargent. [What the Agyemang injury does do is completely solidify Pepi and Wright.] Heck, I'd say that only one field player with less than 10 caps has a good chance to make the roster. Auston Trusty.
Hall used to be a winger at one point, I think. He's playing a very traditional 9 now, but I wouldn't be shocked if he has more in his bag.
I mean, truth be told…and I don’t discount the analytics people and the underlying numbers people, that is a valuable piece to the conversation. But Ricardo Pepi is in line to be going to the World Cup now, and, in my opinion he is our best finisher. He has the appropriate competitive disposition for a striker in the old school way, like Van Nistelrooy and Shearer. “No matter what happens, I’m scoring a goal today” I appreciate that, I think he is mentally strong in the way a striker needs to be, and I’m thankful he’s next man up. He has poise. He has a set on him. I would have missed him as an option and he deserves to be there.
When I saw him in the U17 WC he looked very, very much like a winger trying to learn CF. I was upset enough that I wanted Chase Adams to get all those minutes and for Hall to be a backup winger since we were stacked at that position. I am extremely surprised that he has learned CF so well, so fast.
I think with Banks if he wanted in he could still make given he’s been in camp just given our problems at the position. But I also think him not being in the last camp was indicative of him not being ready to make a decision pre World Cup. Trusty seems like the front runner for his spot though. As for Gozo and others like that it’s extremely unlikely but not impossible. You’d basically need to be playing at such a high level that it’s impossible to justify your exclusion. Which I don’t think anyone is going to hit before the World Cup. But people are talking about it with Gozo for now. Though I don’t think he’s there yet. The last 48 hours I’ve had many a messages from people in Europe asking my opinion about Zavier Gozo. All of them asking if he goes to the World Cup….not kidding you. Premier league teams salivating at the prospects and expect him/@realsaltlake to have offers very soon for a…— Taylor Twellman (@TaylorTwellman) April 9, 2026 I really don’t think it’s out of the question to consider a late flyer on Zavier Gozo making the #USMNT squad. 19 years old, but the kid is fearless, full of swagger and has been on a heater.We’ve seen crazier things…. 🤔 pic.twitter.com/DxwovdhCgV— Stu Holden (@stuholden) April 5, 2026 “If there is a position that is lacking right now on the USMNT, it’s the winger position.”Herculez Gomez makes a case for 19-year-old Real Salt Lake and 🇺🇸 winger Zavier Gozo to get called up for Mauricio Pochettino's USMNT side 🎙️👀 @herculezg @MenInBlazers pic.twitter.com/DXx3Bi1p1B— USMNT Only (@usmntonly) April 8, 2026
Yeah, he's almost certainly not going. But if there was a surprise, it's not going to be Albert or Cavan, etc., it's going to be Gozo. I think it may take Dest not being ready and perhaps Weah going out, but if we needed that RW / RWB spot ... especially in a back up role, I think he'd be the pick.
Gozo? He has put his name in the mix. If Poch will use a 4231 and 343 at the Cup, then Gozo could be a replacement for Dest at rwb/ram.
People are talking about Gozo.....................on these boards and the twitterverse. But Pochettino or anyone involved in the USSF? Nothing. So its all kind of speculation without evidence. Like I saw this column with a headline about Gozo being on Pochettino's radar. I excitedly opened it hoping to see some comment from the USMNT staff. FotMob Profile: Young US talent Zavier Gozo on Pochettino’s radar I read the column, and there's no actual evidence of Gozo being on Pochettino's radar for the World Cup. None. There is no camp for Pochettino to get to know any new player prior to WC squad selection.
I mean he’s probably not going and likely no one knew. But if a guy really took a leap (and in MLS I define that as playing at an MVP type level) that could be enough.
The thing with Gozo is pretty simple. Dest may not come back, so the position may have an opening. And Gozo seems perfectly suited for the "fast guy who creates danger and maybe creates a goal out of nothing" that often is good World Cup roster spot. I don't think he's going to make it, either. And I don't even know that I'd bring him -- he's very similar in strengths and weaknesses to Freeman, though at a different position. I certainly wouldn't want to be starting him -- weirdly, I'd only want him as a sub. If we actually had to dig down for a starter because other guys went down ... I'd probably actually want Musah as much as I've dogged him.
When does it happen that a coach takes a player he's never had in a single camp to the World Cup? I'm not talking about caps; I'm saying never even had in a single camp. Can anyone think of a single USMNT example in the post 1990-era? Squad selection is May 26th. This is BEFORE the Germany/Senegal camp. I suspect Pochettino can name his squad TODAY. We'll just wait until mid-May for injury status, etc. to play itself out. Its like everyone says "this is highly unlikely to happen," but then they keep talking about it anyway. Take the squad for last month, add in the players out with injury...........................and that's the squad with alternates. Experimenting time is over. The time for expanding the net to new players is over. All of these podcasters like Twellman, Holden, and Gomez are trying to say something provocative and interesting regarding the pool. They need to do that, because saying "we already know the squad" isn't interesting. But yes...............we already know the squad.
You do understand that basically no one is predicting that Gozo is on the roster, right? All of the discussion is about how he's breaking out, and how he's the type of guy in terms of skillset who does tend to make a WC roster late and make an impact at the World Cup. Some people may even want him on the roster, but yes, everyone gets that it is super unlikely. This is the MLS Flavors of the Week thread. We are going to talk about a lot of guys who won't make the roster.
It would be fun but I would think if Dest can't go the Zendejas takes that spot. Gomez has turned into a shock jock guy trying to get clicks. Gozo is having a great year but the #10 on Cub America didn't cross his mind?
Hercules Gomez did make it despite never being in a camp before the pre World Cup camp. But the roster was decided in that camp.
Herculez had multiple caps that cycle prior to the 2010 World Cup. He played at Copa America 2007...................................... Its true that he was capped early in the cycle by Bradley, was in the wilderness, and then came back in at the very end. Kind of like how players such as Ream and Sargent were in the wilderness for quite some time in the 2022 cycle, but came back in at the very end for squad selection. I'd say Edson Buddle is a better example than Herulez from the 2010 group. Buddle was capped when he was named to the WC2010 squad. But WAY before, and by a different coach.
These are the uncapped players who made The 2022 World Cup. As a note I am not including the friendlies in the immediate buildup to the tournament (November 2022) because if hypothetically Gozo or Banks were to make it, their debut would come against Senegal or Germany and not in the actual World Cup. It does happen, but it's not common Ecuador: Willian Pacho - Was having his breakout season for Antwerp as a 21 year old. He did get a callup in the previous window but didn't play, he also didn't actually play in The World cup. He's now one of the best defenders in The World and a regular starter for Ecuador Kevin Rodriguez - Had never been called up prior to their friendly against Iraq 8 days before The World Cup. He came on in the 89th minute in two games. He's not a starter, but has gotten a ton of caps this cycle off the bench. He was a 22 year old domestic league player Netherlands: Andries Noppert - Dutch goalkeeper situation was pretty dire going into Qatar. The then 28 year old Feyenoord starter not only made the team, he started every game. He never played a game for the Dutch after this tournament and hasn't even been called up since late 2023 Xavi Simons - Made his international debut in the 83rd minute against us in The Round of 16 as a 19 year old. He's been a regular this cycle. He was getting regular minutes for PSV Jeremie Frimpong - 21 year old (turned 22 during the tournament) who was having a bit of a breakout season at Leverkusen. He didn't play in the tournament, only got 28 minutes in 1 cap in 2023, and then only started once at The Euros, but he's been a regular callup and gotten semi regular minutes when healthy since Qatar: Jassem Gaber - 20 year old who got called up to 2 camps before the tournament but didn't play and that continued through The World Cup where he also didn't play. He was a regular post WC though all the way through 2024, but has been benched over the last year Senegal: Nicolas Jackson - 21 year old who had just broken through to Villareal's senior team. He only had one previous callup and only played 16 minutes in Senegal's opening match before not playing again in Qatar. Now he's progressed to Bayern and is a regular starter for Senegal Moussa N'Diaye - 20 year old who got called up just once all the way back in 2019 but didn't play. He was a last second replacement for Sadio Mane when he got hurt weeks before the tournament. He did not play in Qatar, and has yet to actually earn a cap for Senegal, only being called up once since The World Cup Saudi Arabia: Nawaf Al-Aqidi - 22 year old 3rd string keeper, who had been called up to 2 previous camps. He's been Saudi Arabia's first choice for about a full calendar year now France: Axel Disasi - 24 year old who was riding good form at Monaco. He went 90 in a dead rubber game against Tunisia, came on in the 89th minute in their Round of 16 match, and in the 119th minute in the final. He would make a 6 minute cameo off the bench against Gibraltar and a 5 minute cameo against Greece in 2023 and never got called up again. Germany: Niclas Fullkrug - 29 year old who was riding incredible form at Bremen while Germany's striker pool was iffy. He made his debut in their friendly against Oman a week before the tournament (where he scored) and came off the bench in all 3 matches, recording 2 goals and an assist. He's featured pretty regularly for Germany this cycle, though more often than not off the bench Youssoufa Moukoko - Also a striker, an 18 year old who was one of Borussia's most shining prospects at the time. He made his debut in the friendly against Oman, played 1 minute in Qatar and was never called up again. Though he's getting good minutes for Copenhagen, his career never quite progressed the way people hoped. Spain: Alejandro Balde - 19 year old promising Barcelona product who was Spain's backup left back for an aging Jordi Alba. He played in all 4 of Spain's World Cup matches, but only started 1. He would get 3 more caps in 2023, but hasn't been called since Canada: James Pantemis - Canada's 3rd keeper who was basically a 50/50 callup in their qualifying campaign but ultimately made the final team. He would not be called up again for Canada until this January, where he started a January camp match against Guatemala, but he was not called for The March matches. Morocco: Bilal El Hannouss - 18 year old Genk standout from Belgium who committed to Morocco in 2022. He earned his first cap in the 3rd place match where he started. He's been a regular callup for Morocco since, though mostly off the bench. He did start all of their knockout matches at the most recent AFCON though Anass Zaroury - Made his debut against Georgia in a friendly a week before The World Cup. He was 22 at the time and had just signed with Burnley where he was getting regular starts. Cap #2 came in the 3rd place match while caps #3 and #4 came in 2023. He hasn't been called up since Cameroon: Simon Ngapandouetnbu - 3rd string keeper who was a 19 year old backup for Marseille. He was not called up again until 2024, but he was a regular on the bench in 2024 and 2025, and actually just got his first cap in Cameroon's last friendly against China Jerome Ngom Mbekeli - Maybe the most eyebrow raising one, a 24 year old domestic player who was considered to be an amateur essentially getting minimum wage back home. He made his debut in a friendly against Jamaica weeks before the tournament, and then only played 4 minutes in Qatar, HOWEVER he got the game winning assist against Brazil in that short cameo. He got a few more caps in 2023 but hasn't been called since and is now playing in China's 2nd division Switzerland: Philipp Köhn - 3rd string keeper who had only been called up once, he was 24 and starting for RB Salzburg. He was not called up again until 2024 for a single camp, and hasn't been called since. Still at 0 caps Fabian Reider - 20 year old who was playing for Young Boys. He made his debut in the 81st minute of their World Cup opener against Cameroon, and then actually got the start against Brazil in their second match. That would be the end of his World Cup, but he's been called for Switzerland in every camp since The Euros (and played in all but 1 match) Ghana: Salis Abdul Samed - 22 year old at the time who had just signed and was starting every match for Lens in Ligue 1. He made his debut in their pre tournament tuneup against Switzerland and started all 3 matches in Qatar (going the full 90 in 2). Injuries have limited his national team time since 2024, and I'm not familiar enough with The Ghana pool to know if he's likely to go this summer or not Kamal Sowah - 22 year old at Club Brugge who got 28 minutes off the bench against Switzerland in their pre tuneup friendly, and never played for Ghana again. Portugal: Jose Sa - 29 year old 3rd string keeper who had just snagged the starting spot at Wolves after moving from Olympiacos. He got quite a few callups from 2017-2019 but wasn't called much in 2021/22. He's been a regular on their bench since, but only has 4 caps (just got one against us) Uruguay: Jose Luis Rodriguez - Was their backup right back who was a 25 year old playing for Nacional, the biggest club in their domestic league. He didn't play, he got 3 caps in 2023, was recalled and got 2 caps this past October, but hasn't played since
Cincinnati are talking to Neymar apparently right now. Plz no.........I am already pleased he is likely purged from Brazil's roster forever.
Then it's not THAT uncommon--you've listed players from 15 different teams in a 32-team competition. Really, it's more like it IS common for teams to take a flier on a top prospect hoping for a wild card performance. It just hasn't been a USMNT thing for the most part. But that doesn't mean it will always be that way (when the rest of the world seems to largely think it's an acceptable practice).
My sense is it was more uncommon prior to the switch to the 26-man roster in 2022. Outside of backup keepers, I'm not seeing many uncapped players in 2018. (Ruben Dias and Trent Alexander-Arnold being two notable exceptions.)
Tuchel has been talking about Max Dowman recently, even though he's never been at a camp. It could be that Dowman's performances the rest of the season, relative to some established guys not performing greatly, might force an inclusion. Thomas Tuchel hints at Max Dowman chance to make World Cup squad - ESPN Unleash Max Dowman! Arsenal should start fearless teenager to inject life into Premier League title run in | Goal.com US In the USMNT's case, I don't see it this cycle under Pochettino. It would need to be an injury-related necessity. Pochettino has talked a lot about team building and commitment. The news that Sergino Dest's recovery is going well and he'll be back by the end of the season for PSV also is relevant. Dest, Weah, Freeman all being in the squad would eliminate a need for Gozo at this time. Not to mention Scally, who I have, as one of the last men on the roster.
Everyone talking dest, weah, and freeman w respect to Gozo but is the opening more related to Agyemang? no, they are not similar players but i think it would be more if we wanted a joker offensive player off the bench. Someone slightly unique in the pool to be 4th striker/winger type.
Gozo's been playing as a right winger, not a center forward, with RSL. ..................................so if we're playing in the 3-4-3 system, for instance, Gozo would be competing with the likes of Dest and Weah for that role of the right wing. Dest's injury certainly added a question mark to a spot there.
So if we subbed in pepi and agyemang into a game is possible we would adjust tactics and personnel when pushing for a goal thus the joker card reference. I understand the basic facts of the positions.
I've never seen or heard a reference to Gozo made by Pochettino. So I have NO IDEA what role he would have in mind for him. I don't know how any of us could. Its all speculation. ..................if everyone is healthy, then I don't see a spot available. And if one did become available, he might incorporate guys like Zendejas, Musah, etc. instead. Guys he's actually worked with. I don't see the Agyemang's injury necessarily has a bearing on Gozo. To me it just solidifies our three center forwards. Cuz I never had all four making the squad. Dest's injury could have as a right wing/wingback type of player.