US Men’s National Team Faces Criticism Over Midfield Choices Ahead of World Cup
The United States presented Mauricio Pochettino’s World Cup squad as a group ready to chase legacy on home soil.
It is the right message for a home tournament. But the first wave of fan reaction has not been built on excitement alone.
Pochettino has selected the 26 players, and the immediate debate shows one clear issue. Supporters are already looking at the midfield and asking whether this squad has enough spark.
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The frustration was clear in the replies. @Dotsdad asked why the roster did not give him “the least bit of confidence or excitement”. @A12Cast said it felt like the USMNT kept running back the same squad even though it was not working.
The midfield criticism was even sharper. @HellcatKen pointed to “only four central midfielders”, while @benb_19 called the absence of Johnny Cardoso “insane”. @acmilanchampo21 said leaving out Yunus Musah was “a mistake”.
Aidan Morris was another clear flashpoint. @GillotteTom asked why there was “no room” for him.
Pochettino’s midfield decisions invite early scrutiny
The official squad lists six midfielders: Tyler Adams, Sebastian Berhalter, Weston McKennie, Gio Reyna, Cristian Roldan, and Malik Tillman.
Fan concern goes beyond numbers. Questions were raised about the inclusion of Roldan and Berhalter, while Aidan Morris, Yunus Musah, and Johnny Cardoso were left out.
Pochettino’s reported approach is about picking the right players, not just the most exciting.
There is sense in that. Tournament squads need trust, balance, and clear roles, not just names that look good on paper.
But this reaction is still an early warning. If the USMNT midfield looks flat once the games begin, the criticism will not look like noise. It will look like the first sign of a real problem. Check out the full United States roster for the 2026 World Cup:
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