Futbol Americas: USMNT Roster Predictions + No More Messi vs. Yamal
Mexico National Team / Injury
Marcel Ruiz has been ruled out of the tournament. Toluca confirmed this, that he has torn his ACL. You are not only missing a player that you desperately need, but you are asking yourself what kind of player will you get when he comes back for the future.
USMNT Roster / Christian Pulisic
Christian Pulisic hasn't scored in 2026, and that covers 11 matches across all competitions. He's been dealing with some nagging injuries, some bursitis in his hip. The worry heading into tomorrow is will Mauricio Pochettino call him up because his M.O. in the past has been if there is anything the slightest bit wrong with the player, that player does not get called in.
USMNT Roster / Gio Reyna
Giovanni Reina is not a guarantee. I don't know how he could feel safe. He hasn't played at all. Mauricio Pochettino has made every effort to say reputation does not fly with him. You've got to earn your pick. And Gio Reyna hasn't done that.
Brazil / Neymar
Neymar has not been fit for some time, for club or country. This is not a moment for sentiment. This is a tournament for contribution. And if Neymar cannot be 100% fit, if he cannot contribute fully as you hope he can, there are other options.
I agree with the sentiment that they've moved on. I don't understand Carlo Ancelotti—why not just say he's not in my plans? It's almost like Carlo Ancelotti is so scared of the backlash within Brazil that he just doesn't want to say I'm not taking him.
Finalissima Cancellation
The Finalissima has been cancelled. Argentina's federation wanted them to host it in Argentina. Nobody could reach an agreement, so now it has been called off. We are the biggest losers here.
USMNT World Cup Preparation
Theoretically, the roster that drops tomorrow, that's your World Cup roster. That's what Mauricio Pochettino led us to believe, that the games would stop and this is when things would get serious.
USMNT / Dual Nationals
Noah Kai Banks is not going to be included in this squad. He's still making his mind up. He's still very much torn in two about what national team is going to represent, whether it's Germany or whether it's the United States.
Mexico National Team / Youth Development
Mexico will have zero players under 25 years of age with World Cup experience in this World Cup. Do you want that for the next World Cup as well?
Lionel Messi / Inter Miami
I think it's calm here. You saw the first leg against Nashville and how difficult that was for not only Inter-Miami, but for Messi. They don't want to go exerting themselves in a regular league season game. This is more man management, minutes management.
