Futbol Americas: USMNT camp exclusives with Gio Reyna, Brenden Aaronson, and Ricardo Pepi
World Cup 2026 favorites
France are the deepest squad in the tournament. Probably the most talented is Spain. And then Argentina, speaking about X-Factors. They have one of the biggest in the world. They have Lionel Messi, who is an X-Factor like this game has never seen before.
USMNT leadership council
It becomes almost like the inmates running the asylum. It becomes where there's a group of players who have a lot of the say and then there's a group who are a little bit hesitant so they're like, 'well he chose those guys, I can't say anything now.' It's like guys, we are all in this together.
For Tim Ream to be saying this, that beforehand, when he was without question one of the oldest, one of the most experienced, one of the most respected players in that dressing room, for him to negate that responsibility and now put it back on the coach, I'm not sure that that washes with me.
Brazil national team tactics
Vinicius Junior is the only X Factor for Brazil. If I'm setting up as Didier Deschamps and I'm setting up my game plan, I'm focused on Vinicius Jr. And I trust the talent, one-on-one individual talent of the rest of my team to cope with everything else Brazil has.
Casemiro MLS transfer rumors
I think Casemiro comes into MLS and does exactly the same [as he does at United]. There's no question about that for me. He graces this league in a way that very few defensive midfielders can because of his understanding of this game.
Casemiro form
Casemiro is one of the best defensive midfielders this game has seen, but he's not that version. He's not the Real Madrid version of Casemiro that we know. And at this level, against this kind of opponent, that will get exposed.
USMNT coaching change
I think with Mauricio [Pochettino], with the buildup, he's getting us—I'm not saying Greg [Berhalter] wasn't getting us in the headspace—but he's really, like, the games, these games, we're treating like it's the World Cup already because we know we have to be really ready for these games.
USMNT squad selection
I believe my abilities, and I believe I've sort of shown that in the past too with this team that I've made big differences in big moments. But, yeah, I just appreciate his [Pochettino's] trust more than anything.
USMNT striker competition
Flo Balogun has done more. Especially in the U.S. men's national team setup. I think he's established himself as Mauricio Pochettino's out-and-out number nine. I don't see that changing.
My job on the field is to score the goals. Of course, that's my main job, of course. But whatever I can do for the team, whether it's off the pitch, on the pitch, as much as I can contribute to the team, I'm going to be able to do it.
