Total Soccer Show · April 2, 2026 · 49 min

USMNT stock up, stock down & players to watch before Poch unveils his World Cup roster

🎧 Listen to the full episode on Total Soccer Show


USMNT starting lineup

Is it crazy to say I would rather see Austin Trusty start the World Cup over Tim Ream? It doesn't feel so crazy, but it might be a little bit crazy.

Joe Lowry

I now think Chris Richards might be in that category of tier one players who have to start at this World Cup for the U.S. to have a successful tournament.

Graham Rutherford

I think there's probably a really good chance that Malik Tillman is starting that first game at the World Cup.

Joe Lowry

USMNT goalkeeper selection

Matt Freese is surely a lock to start the first game of the World Cup.

Graham Rutherford

USMNT roster

Surely the biggest stock down, the biggest loser of this window, is Tim Ream.

Graham Rutherford

I'm slightly stock down on Christian Roldan. I thought he was not great off the bench against Belgium... I'm not ruling out his World Cup chances, but he might have slipped a place or two.

Graham Rutherford

Player form

I am worried about Christian Pulisic's form and I do personally put more weight on club form and being able to translate that into the international arena.

Graham Rutherford

USMNT midfield

I have Barhalter and Tessman as both stock down... I still think that job [partnering Tyler Adams] is wide open and might even be just dependent on who the opponent is.

Joe Lowry

USMNT depth

I think the U.S. is still going to need to run a lot of miles on the legs of their best players... the U.S.'s depth is still nowhere near good enough.

Joe Lowry

Tactical analysis

If we're going to recite that three out of ten number [for Pulisic], I think we should give that to Pochettino rather than to Pulisic.

Joe Lowry

World Cup 2026 squad selection

I suspect we'll never see the 55-man list [submitted to FIFA], but if we do, I'm intrigued as to who will be on it.

Graham Rutherford