Jeff Karislumar 19, 2025, 09:43 am at
Closejeff Carlisle covers ESPN FC’s MLS and the US national team.
LOS ANGELES – When the US men’s national team announced the roster for the Conca Caffenations League Finals last week, the return of their previous main players attracted a lot of attention. The extraordinary Tyler Adams from AFC Bournemouth’s Midfield Destroyer was on the list. Due to all concerns about the lack of playing time at Borussia Dortmund, Giovanni Reina was the National League MVP just 12 months ago.
However, USMNT Manager Mauricio Pochettino’s best plan has been hit by several body hits in the past 48 hours. Stalwart has midfielder Johnny Caldosaw and centre-back Orton trusted, Antony Robinson.
It forced Pockettino to dig into a little more depth than he would otherwise have in a call-up perspective. The same applies to getting on the field, with some players having the opportunity to get unexpected minutes. It’s good to have Pochettino play and have more playing time and collect a lot of data related to the player pool.
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As USMNT chases after the fourth consecutive Nations League Crown, there are even wildcards on the roster that allow you to make your own name.
Luna wasn’t on the field as much as she liked during camping in January, but it was mostly due to a persistent nose fracture that he had against Costa Rica. And in 70 minutes he logged in two matches, and he showed enough creativity and a clever touch, including an assist to Brian White, to catch Pockettino’s eyes and win a second invitation.
It seems unlikely that Luna will start. It still seems like the realm of players like Christian Purisik, Weston McKenney, Reina, and more, but if USMNT needs magic to break down the defense of its rugged opposition — and in the recent past, Panama fits that description.
Over the past 12 months, Luna has made great strides in his career, winning the MLS Young Player of the Year Award. With the appearance of a great cameo in this tournament, he continues his upward trajectory.
Cardoso’s injury opened up a spot on the Houston Dynamo’s Jack McGlynn’s roster, but it’s Tessman who thinks he’ll most benefit from Cardoso’s absence in that his game closely resembles the real Betis midfielder’s. Tessman has been even more neat at the ball this season, except he has and carries many progressive passes like Cardosau does in about half.
Tanner Tessman won’t start for the US in the international league this week, but he may be primed for a few minutes from the bench. Eurasia Sports Images/Getty Images
Tessman endured some ups and downs during his first season in League One with Lyon, but he also has the confidence of Pockettino, who started both feet in the National League quarterfinal series against Jamaica last November, lopping quite a bit of time in each match.
Will Pockettino start Tessman on Thursday? Adams’ presence on the roster doesn’t make it possible, but Tessman appears to be a major contender if the manager feels the need for another stable, stately midfield presence later in the game.
White is this generation of Chris Bondrowski: The slow bluemer who has grown into the threat of the ultimate phantom in the box. Turning his head for a moment, White is gone and pops up in Prime Scoring position using his intelligent movements, the defender wonders how the White Cap is going.
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White’s stat line this season reads only one goal in four league matches, but he scored three times in the Concacaf Champions Cup. This is a man who thrives in tough circumstances.
Josh Sargent is expected to launch to the top, but if the gu in the box is needed late, White can supply sparks from the bench.
In Robinson’s absence there are countless backline HR combinations available to Pockettino. He was able to shift Tim Leam left on the four-man backline. He could slide Joe down the skull to the left and use Yunus Musa or Marlon Fossey on the rear right. Tim Weir’s diversity is like allowing him to approach his own goals as an outside back.
The most similar option is to use Arfsten as the left back/wing back for the hybrid. That’s the roles that Robinson often fulfilled under Pockettino, including Ream, Mark McKenzie and Scally Staying Home. And it’s similar to how Arfsten is used in Columbus. He was also able to play as a wingback on the pure three-man backline.
Does Arfsten have a defensive chop to play at the international level? That’s the big problem. Columbus plays a lot on his front paws. That’s not necessarily the case in international leagues, but with veterans like Ream in close proximity, he may have enough defensive support to make it work.
