He was referring to Uruguay’s B team. As Berks noted - they were missing some of their Euro starters. But we fielded a couple B players as well. Or at least “B” players who may actually turn out to be our A players.
The Athletic had a good (paywalled) story about exactly this today. Some relevant Poch quotes: “I don’t want to be negative, no, but I hate the ‘no regular players’ (question). What does this mean? It’s (the) USA playing, it’s the national team,” he said. “Stop with that mindset. Every time our decision to pick a starting XI, it’s the U.S. men’s national team playing. If you know me, I hate to talk this way. It’s so disrespectful. We need to give credit to all of the guys.” “I think that March (was the turning point). I think with all that negativity, (comes) positive things, because with all this negativity we used (it) to build that journey,” Pochettino said. “Sometimes this type of thing can happen, for changing things. Maybe you see things in a different way. Sometimes our perception, sometimes can be wrong. Even being inside. And that I think when the reality touch, I think that’s important.” My favorite: “Let’s be realistic,” Pochettino told the team. “And do the impossible.”
I couldn't tell from the context of Berks or Dawdler's quotes whether the Uruguay or the US was fielding the B team (my bad, I guess). I decided to look it up, so I could determine which side was fielding the B team. I figured the starting CopaAmerica lineups for the match was a good as place as any to find the A team players. I used the ESPN match reports for that game and last nights to look for possible "B" squad changes. Uruguay had 4 different players, 2 of which 2 were from Brazilian teams and 2 from teams in Europe. By comparison, the US didn't start anyone from the Copa squad. Of last nights starters 5 were from MLS sides while 3 were from European 2nd division teams. Only Dest (from PSV) and McKenzie (from Toulouse) could be said to play for a major Euro League side. Of the Copa starters all except for Ream were in Europe (albeit Turner was playing his way out of Nottingham Forest and on his way to New England). The remaining 9 starters at Copa were all from 1st division teams. My conclusion is that the US team was by the traditional uses of the term, more the "B" squad although you are right that some/many of them will be our new "A" team players.
These two games against Paraguay and Uruguay were very strong performances. I was glued to the TV, and inject this attitude and result directly into our future and I will be very happy. First of all, the Gio Reyna reintegration was very successful, and he is a fantastic, creative 23 year old who I hope can contribute at the WC next year. Second, the formation, basically 3 in the back and a very strong overpowered midfield, looks like it will be significant for the US. We have some options other than Tim Ream in the back, and we have a ton of midfield options. Those options were popping up all over the field and working hard and most of them have offensive skills as well as defensive. I thought Tessman and Berhalter looked very strong, Arftsen, Tolkin, DEST, they really did very well together. Luna did OK, although he could not connect with Haji Wright much at all. I'm probably forgetting someone but it was good. Third, Alex Freeman looked great on offense, I could hardly tell what position he was playing as he seemed to be everywhere. His athleticism is also a big plus. Hopefully he will be a big contributor. Fourth, Set pieces, Set pieces, Berhalter was huge, and Uruguay was terrible defending them. Nice to see Gio and Sebastian out there together after everything that happened with their families. Fifth, goalkeeper looks like a weak link. Like @Berks, I didn't miss Pulisic. I realize that's naive, but we don't have much time to integrate him into the team in a productive way. But there's not much time even to pick a starting lineup, so Pochettino has his work cut out for him.
I like how you capitalized DEST, like he's a robot with an acronym for a name: D.E.S.T. - Defensive European Strike Technology
LOL - DEST deserves caps because he is a cut above. He does some amazing things on the soccer field. Really enjoy watching him.
The draw is complete: Group A: Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, Winner Play-off D Group B: Canada, Winner Play-off A, Qatar, Switzerland Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland Group D: United States, Paraguay, Australia, Winner Play-off C (Turkey, Romania, Slovakia, Kosovo) Group E: Germany, Curacao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Winner Play-off B, Tunisia Group G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand Group H: Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay Group I: France, Senegal, Winner Play-off 2, Norway Group J: Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan Group K: Portugal, Winner Play-off 1, Colombia, Uzbekistan Group L: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama Turkey is the favorite in Play-off C. So the group looks like USA, Paraguay, Australia, Turkey I'd say that's a good favorable group for the host and they should advance easily if they are playing anywhere near their potential. The key is to win the group and avoid a big team in the next round.
Could have been a better draw. Could have also been worse. We lucked out getting Australia out of pot 2. What were they doing there anyway? Turkey, if it comes out of the playoffs, will be tough.
About time to extend the title to 2026, I suppose Pepe Magana called up to the U19 USYNT January camp The sixteen players joining the #U19MNT for January camp ⛺️🔗 https://t.co/S0ZoUqk7QB pic.twitter.com/Q0dnM1Qpa3— U.S. Soccer YNT (@USYNT) January 8, 2026
LA Galaxy Academy Defender Ryan Hartley called up to the U18 USYNT January camp Jeremy Hall names his first #U18MNT camp roster with 16 players heading to Arizona 🔜↬ https://t.co/S0ZoUqkFG9 pic.twitter.com/L3YLHYcqiv— U.S. Soccer YNT (@USYNT) January 8, 2026
I made the decision many years ago to not create a new thread until the Galaxy have a player on the full USMNT again. I didn't think this would be the 6th year of this thread staying around.....
If he keeps progressing, I could see Harbor Miller making it, althought the question would be if he's still a Galaxy player when he does.
Galaxy Academy players Max Steelman and Aaron Medina start for the USYNY U17 team in the Concacaf qualifiers for the U17 World Cup The starters tonight 🫡 #U17MNT📺 FS2 pic.twitter.com/HmmezpEdtu— U.S. Soccer YNT (@USYNT) February 5, 2026
Max Steelman with the assist and Aaron Medina with the goal! Galaxy guys showing up (against a Concacaf minnow, to be sure). Steelman's one-touch volley for the assist was total class regardless of opponent. Max Steelman ➡️ Aaron MedinaThat @LAGalaxyAcademy connection 👌 pic.twitter.com/d7hYHo2PIl— U.S. Soccer YNT (@USYNT) February 5, 2026
Galaxy MF Vicente Garcia starts and wears the #10 for the USYNT U17 team in Concacaf qualifying against St. Kitts and Nevis The XI to face St. Kitts and Nevis 🔥📺 FS2 pic.twitter.com/WtoThdOFZl— U.S. Soccer YNT (@USYNT) February 7, 2026
MF Juan Carlos Martinez called for the U16 USYNT camp 24 players have been called to represent the #U16BNT in a domestic training camp in February 👊📝 https://t.co/0FZVRlgyOl pic.twitter.com/3pxjlNJN4Y— U.S. Soccer YNT (@USYNT) February 9, 2026
Galaxy Academy's Vincente Garcia, who scored a PK in the last win, starts again for the U17 in Concacaf qualifying against the Dominican Republic The XI searching for a World Cup ticket 🔥📺 FS2 pic.twitter.com/WTx9Ax3heJ— U.S. Soccer YNT (@USYNT) February 10, 2026
Juan Carlos Martinez has been named to the 24-player roster for the US U16 Boys’ National Team domestic training camp to be held from Feb. 11-18 at McCurry Park in Fayetteville, GA. The U-16 BNT will use the February camp to continue its preparation for the 2027 Concacaf U-17… pic.twitter.com/gYbaPW6Sbi— LA Galaxy Academy (@LAGalaxyAcademy) February 11, 2026
Called up 🇺🇸 Ikenna Chidebe has been named to the U.S. Soccer U-16 Men’s National Team for the upcoming Domestic Training Camp in Atlanta, GA. form February 11 - 18th, 2026 pic.twitter.com/TQLiXfpMyM— LA Galaxy Academy (@LAGalaxyAcademy) February 10, 2026
I generally am a little leery in posting about U15 players getting called up because they are so young and it's not worth getting too excited about any of them (I know so many kids called up to these camps who never even lasted to play in college, let alone the pros). Galaxy MF Christian Vanney, however, was called up for the U15 YNT and, like many younger brothers of successful older players and parents, he's got more of a chance than most simply from being in the environment and playing with his family regularly. U.S. Soccer announces the launch of the U.S. U-15 and U-16 Boys’ National Team Futures program, beginning with a joint training camp to be held Feb. 19-24 in Fayetteville, GA 🇺🇸ℹ️ https://t.co/Mj1Xu7ICwP pic.twitter.com/j0nq4xWPDR— U.S. Soccer YNT (@USYNT) February 17, 2026