USA Inventory Watch: Diego Luna's Harm A Concern For World Cup Prospects?

[ad_1] Crunch time is coming. The beginning of this summer season’s World Cup is lower than 100 days away. It’s an thrilling time, little question, however for gamers, these may be nervy days. Particularly proper now, provided that the U.S. males’s nationwide group hasn’t been collectively since November.

Rather a lot has occurred since then, and the upcoming March coaching camp – which options matches in opposition to Belgium (March 28) and Portugal (March 31) in Atlanta – is of the utmost significance as a result of it is the final one earlier than Mauricio Pochettino's ultimate 26-man roster is introduced.

100 Days Out Particular: U.S. Beginning XI + Brian McBride Interview + World Cup Energy Rankings Those that get known as up in March will really feel some reduction, whereas those that do not will really feel their stress ranges rise. This is who has improved their circumstances, who has work to do:

Inventory Up Johnny Cardoso, Midfielder, Atlético Madrid

(Picture by Bruno Penas/High quality Sport Pictures/Getty Pictures)

Cardoso made this record final week after scoring his first aim for the membership. This week, he began and performed 90 minutes in Atleti’s 3-0 loss to Barcelona. Regardless of the defeat, they superior to the Copa del Rey ultimate on 4-3 combination.

After battling accidents, Cardoso appears to lastly be getting right into a rhythm at an enormous La Liga membership. He hasn’t performed for the USA since final summer season and hasn’t had an announcement sport to show to Pochettino why he deserves a World Cup roster spot but. However, maybe his current membership performances and consistency would possibly earn him a March name up.

Weston McKennie, Midfielder, Juventus

(Picture by Stefano Guidi/Getty Pictures)

McKennie is little question the most popular USA participant proper now. Whether or not he’s scoring targets or displaying off his versatility and taking part in totally different positions for coach Luciano Spalletti, his title is consistently making headlines. And he’s doubtless on the prime of Pochettino’s record for March camp.

This week, McKennie signed a brand new deal at Juventus that retains him with the Serie A membership till 2030. McKennie will reportedly make $7 million per yr – a well-earned deal given he’s scored eight targets to date this season.

"McKennie has been a robust device on each the precise and left wings for [manager] Luciano Spalletti, profitable the hearts of the followers, and he's now reaping the rewards of his every day exhausting work in coaching," Juventus stated in an announcement.

Antonee ‘Jedi’ Robinson, Fullback, Fulham

(Picture by Tiego Grenho/MI Information/NurPhoto by way of Getty Pictures)

It’s a reduction for USA followers to see Robinson within the "refill" part right here. Robinson went 90 for Fulham in a 1-0 loss to West Ham on Wednesday – it was his first Premier League look since Feb. 1 (he began in a FA Cup match vs. Stoke Metropolis on Feb. 15). He’d been coping with a minor ankle difficulty, which was regarding as a result of Robinson had beforehand missed a lot time after recovering from a nagging knee harm. However taking part in the whole match and never having to progressively construct up health is large.

Fulham subsequent performs Southampton in a FA Cup match on Sunday.

Josh Sargent, Striker, Toronto FC

Lastly, the saga is over. Sargent has left Norwich Metropolis and joined Toronto FC for a reported $22 million in charges. The striker signed a five-and-a-half yr contract that can hold him with the MLS membership via June 2031.

Whereas the drama surrounding Sargent’s want to maneuver nearer to household in North America is behind him, what’s nonetheless forward is the truth that there’s not a lot time left to impress Pochettino. Sargent has had his possibilities, however has struggled to attain targets for the nationwide group.

Perhaps if he can get off to a fast begin in Toronto, issues might be totally different? We'll see. His kind could have dipped within the final month after he was demoted to coach with the U21 group in Norwich whereas ready for this switch. Even so, it’s a web constructive that he’s again in MLS forward of a pivotal summer season.

Inventory Down Diego Luna, Ahead, Actual Salt Lake

(Picture by Alex Goodlett/MLS by way of Getty Pictures)

Luna remains to be out with a knee harm and has not performed in a match for his membership but this season. After a breakthrough season in 2025, Luna appeared like a lock to make Pochettino’s World Cup roster. He nonetheless ought to, however his availability for March camp might be key. RSL travels to Atlanta this weekend, so we’ll get a well being replace then.

Matt Turner, Goalkeeper, New England Revolution

(Picture by Caean Couto/Getty Pictures)

Turner, who was the USMNT’s beginning goalkeeper on the 2022 World Cup, misplaced his spot to Matt Freese lower than a yr in the past. Freese, who performs for NYCFC, began the final 12 matches of 2025 for the U.S., together with each sport in final summer season’s Gold Cup.

Turner is the last word competitor and desires his spot again. A lot in order that he joined the Revs final summer season on mortgage from Lyon via June 2026. He’s taking part in extra now, which is a plus, however the membership is 0-2 to start out the season. Pochettino must see rather more from him to ensure that Turner to interchange Freese.

Christian Pulisic, Ahead, AC Milan

(Picture by Claudio Villa/AC Milan by way of Getty Pictures)

Pulisic goes to be the face of the US squad on the World Cup this summer season. There’s no query about that in any respect. However his present kind is mildly regarding. The star ahead has not scored a aim in 9 straight matches for AC Milan. If this drought continues, will probably be an unlucky story line that Pulisic must handle throughout coaching camp later this month.