Sports Illustrated recently started a new weekly feature analyzing the soccer weekend from a U.S. men’s and women’s national team perspective (check out the opening editions here, here and here).
The countdown is on for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with the USMNT just nine weeks away from opening kickoff. Manager Mauricio Pochettino aims to finalize his tournament roster by May to avoid any last-minute heartbreaks for players cut. Although a noble endeavor, the status and dynamics of Pochettino’s squad seem to be changing by the minute, and this week’s return to club performances put that reality on blast. It’s likely the Argentine boss spent most of the week at the drawing board, head in hands.
