Goalkeeper Matt Turner is the only returnee from the World Cup trio thanks to his excellent record in MLS, leading all goalkeepers with 10.7 goals prevented (per FotMob). Andrew Thomas (9.6) and Brian Schwake (8.2) rank second and fourth in that metric with Seattle and Nashville, respectively. Both are mid-20s alternatives to Matt Freese with success at the club level, with Thomas having won the Leagues Cup final over Lionel Messi's Inter Miami and Schwake having backstopped Nashville to the U.S. Open Cup. Diego Kochen, who began the World Cup as a training goalkeeper, is now getting regular games on loan with Lyngby.
Chris Richards will enter as the leader of the US's defensive unit, with Auston Trusty having fared well this summer. Tristan Blackmon struggled to acclimate in a September crash-course, but has continued to perform at a high level as the lead defender in a possession-dominant Vancouver Whitecaps. Antonee Robinson and Alex Freeman should enter this cycle as the presumptive starters on their respective sides of the defensive line, with Robinson's alternative being Luca Bombino, who earned a move to Stoke City on the back of his breakout with San Diego FC.
Cavan Sullivan, who scored twice for the Union against San Diego on Sunday, has arguably been the best player in MLS – of any age or nationality – since play resumed in July. Sullivan has been watched by Pochettino, who has provided early guidance for the young player. Sullivan's remarks and Pochettino's ensuing reply to them in the media convinced Maurer of one thing: that Poch is watching, and perhaps providing a little early guidance for a very useful player.
The US play friendlies against Peru, Chile, Mexico, and Canada, with Pochettino's roster selection set to be finalized in the coming days.