Significant questions surround the future direction of the US men’s national soccer team. With Mauricio Pochettino’s contract nearing its end and US Soccer extending an offer for renewal, both sides are in a waiting period. The unexpected departure of Matt Crocker, who left his role as sporting director to join Saudi Arabia before the World Cup, raises further concerns about the trajectory of soccer in the United States. While the core group projected for the 2026 squad is expected to still be relevant by 2030, the next four years will be critical.
Each year presents a major tournament opportunity, and clarity on the team’s objectives should be established at every stage.
2027: Concacaf Nations League and Gold Cup
The United States will next engage in regional competitions, aiming to maintain their momentum. The Nations League is set to commence in September, but the US is likely to enter in November, as the top four teams in the region will receive byes directly to the quarter-finals. The semi-finals and finals are scheduled for March 2027.
Having won the inaugural three Nations Leagues, the US failed to reach the final in 2025, suffering a setback against Panama and subsequently losing to Canada in the third-place match. This upcoming installment offers the team a critical chance to prove that their impressive summer performance was not a mere fluke, but rather a new standard of exciting and effective soccer.
The Gold Cup follows in the summer, traditionally serving as a platform for testing players on the fringe of the national team. In 2019, the United States rebounded from missing the previous World Cup by giving tournament debuts to Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie. Pochettino’s sole Gold Cup experience allowed him to integrate players like Malik Tillman, Sebastian Berhalter, Alex Freeman, and Matt Freese into the team.
Players like Aidan Morris, Diego Luna, Tanner Tessmann, and the injured Patrick Agyemang—who narrowly missed out on being selected—could use this tournament as an opportunity to solidify their roles within the team. Additionally, younger talents such as Zavier Gozo, Niko Tsakiris, Adri Mehmeti, and Julian Hall will be eager to make an early impression.
The goalkeeper position will be particularly scrutinized. Despite his Gold Cup experience, Freese appeared inexperienced this summer and struggled to perform against Belgium. With Matt Turner having turned 32 in June, the search for alternatives will be crucial. Establishing a reliable goalkeeper by next summer will provide invaluable experience leading into multiple tournaments.
The US will also begin World Cup qualifying in November 2027, entering in the second round alongside the region’s top-ranked teams. They will lead a group of four, and securing a top-two finish (with matches scheduled for November and March 2028) is essential for advancing to the final qualifying round. There can be no excuses for failing to progress from this stage.
2028: Copa América and the LA Olympics
The Copa América is tentatively marked on the calendar, pending official confirmation that Conmebol will host its flagship tournament in the United States for a second consecutive time. However, Brazilian outlet O Globo has reported that both the 2024 and 2028 tournaments have been awarded in tandem, allowing the USA and other Concacaf nations to qualify for the tournament, even if it occurs in South America.
This competition, more prestigious than the Gold Cup, would serve as a vital mid-cycle benchmark to assess the team’s capabilities. It represents a critical moment for established players to demonstrate their reliability as the World Cup qualifying process intensifies. Players approaching their 30s must perform at their best, as younger competitors will be eager to claim their spots.
The 2028 Los Angeles Olympics will also take place on home soil, with soccer matches held in several MLS stadiums. This tournament will primarily feature under-23 teams, with each squad permitted to include three over-age players.
While Olympic soccer may be underestimated, the experience gained can be invaluable. Paris 2024 did not produce any World Cup starters, yet it significantly boosted Tessmann’s profile as he led the team to the quarter-finals. The upcoming Olympics could prove even more revealing as the program prepares for a likely generational transition after the 2030 World Cup. Allowing a group of emerging players to shine on the international stage represents a prime opportunity to expand and deepen the player pool.
2029: Qualifying, Nations League, and Gold Cup
The goals for the Nations League and Gold Cup will be similar: to maintain the playing style of the primary team while evaluating additional rotational or fringe players.
Qualifying becomes particularly intriguing, assuming the United States avoids a major setback in the second round. By 2028, the US coach will have valuable insights from recent tournament performances involving 46 players: 26 from the Copa América and 20 younger prospects from the Olympics. This broad pool should facilitate player selection as they navigate qualifying windows affected by injuries and form.
As the US discovered in 2018, qualifying is not guaranteed. However, since their last entry in 2022, the expanded tournament structure has made Concacaf qualifying more manageable. Instead of the previous round-robin formats, the final twelve contenders will now be divided into three groups of four for a six-match stage. The top two teams from each group will qualify for the World Cup, while the two best third-place finishers will compete in a play-in match for a spot in the inter-confederation playoff.
Qualifying is always fraught with tension globally, but careful planning throughout the cycle can breed confidence. By the end of 2027, a clear team style and a solidified goalkeeper position should emerge. The Copa América will serve as a platform for assessing the main team while the Olympics will help develop the next generation in 2028. A successful qualifying campaign in 2029 will refine team chemistry and combinations.
After a cycle lacking these crucial assessments, the US has a significant opportunity to build momentum ahead of the 2030 World Cup. It will be essential for the program to make sound decisions regarding coaching and, potentially, organizational changes to ensure a strong start.
