USMNT 2026 World Cup: Rising Stars & Top Players
Okay, here’s a breakdown of the player evaluations from the provided ESPN article snippet, focusing on their World Cup contention status:
Players with a Good Chance/Potential:
* Cristian Roldan (Midfielder, Seattle Sounders): A surprise performer against Japan. Pochettino (the coach) seems to admire him, which opens a potential path, but it’s still a reach given other returning players.Status: Possible, but needs to capitalize on opportunities.
Players on the Bubble (Contending, but Slipping):
* Luca de la Torre (Midfielder, San Diego FC): Expected more playing time in September but was passed over. His possession skills are valued, but he’s sliding down the depth chart.Status: Bubble - needs to impress to stay in contention.
Players Facing an Uphill Battle/Likely out:
* Sebastian Berhalter (Midfielder, Vancouver Whitecaps): Struggled against World Cup-caliber opposition (South Korea). His set-piece ability isn’t enough to outweigh his other shortcomings. Status: likely out – needs a meaningful turnaround.
* John Tolkin (Defender, New Jersey Red Bulls): Was expected to be in line for a backup role, but a back injury has set him back, and others have stepped up. Status: Needs to recover and quickly regain form to be considered.
Note: The article snippet ends abruptly with “giovan”, so there is no information on that player.
Overall Impression:
The article paints a picture of a competitive USMNT squad where players are being actively evaluated. September performances were crucial, and some players (like Berhalter) appear to have lost ground. Roldan is a potential surprise, while de la Torre needs to regain favor.