USMNT Players Earn Promotions, Struggle for Form Ahead of World Cup

As the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches, USMNT players have seen mixed results in their club performances.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 10:50pm

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A cubist-style painting depicting a fragmented soccer match, with players and the ball broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in a vibrant color palette, capturing the dynamic energy of the sport.The USMNT's World Cup roster battle intensifies as players jockey for spots on the final squad.Charlotte Today

The U.S. men's national team is gearing up for the 2026 World Cup, with manager Mauricio Pochettino closely monitoring player form and fitness. Over the past week, some USMNT players have earned promotions to higher leagues, while others have struggled to find consistent playing time and production for their clubs.

Why it matters

With the World Cup roster submission deadline looming, Pochettino needs to select the most in-form players to fit his ideal setup. Strong club performances can boost a player's chances of making the USMNT squad, while poor form could jeopardize their spot on the team.

The details

Haji Wright has helped Coventry City earn promotion to the Premier League, scoring 16 goals in the Championship this season. Brenden Aaronson has been a key contributor for Leeds United in the Premier League, with 4 goals and 4 assists. Chris Richards has been a defensive stalwart for Crystal Palace, delivering strong performances in the Europa Conference League. However, Christian Pulisic has struggled to find the net for AC Milan, going 17 games without a goal. Tim Ream's recent performances for Charlotte FC in MLS have also raised concerns about his ability to handle elite-level attackers at the World Cup.

  • On Friday, Haji Wright played 28 minutes for Coventry City in a 1–1 draw with Blackburn Rovers, helping his side earn promotion to the Premier League.
  • On Monday, Brenden Aaronson played 86 minutes in Leeds United's 2–1 win over Manchester United, providing an assist.
  • In Crystal Palace's recent Europa Conference League match against Fiorentina, Chris Richards had 10 defensive actions and 9 clearances in a 2–1 loss.
  • Christian Pulisic has gone 17 games without a goal for AC Milan, with his last goal coming in March.
  • In Charlotte FC's recent 2–1 loss to Nashville SC, Tim Ream had just 7 defensive contributions and was unable to help solidify the backline.

The players

Haji Wright

A striker for Coventry City who has scored 16 goals in 29 Championship games this season, helping his team earn promotion to the Premier League.

Brenden Aaronson

A midfielder for Leeds United who has 4 goals and 4 assists in 31 Premier League matches this season, and is hoping to make the USMNT World Cup roster.

Chris Richards

A defender for Crystal Palace who has established himself as a defensive stalwart for both the USMNT and his club.

Christian Pulisic

An attacker for AC Milan who has gone 17 games without a goal, raising concerns about his form ahead of the World Cup.

Tim Ream

A veteran defender for Charlotte FC whose recent performances have sparked concerns about his ability to handle elite-level attackers at the World Cup.

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What they’re saying

“The biggest thing was the Premier League, staying up and just having a great season, which I think we've done and we've put ourselves in a great position. And then the cherry on top is being in the FA Cup and getting to the semifinals ... It's going to be a massive game for this club and for this team.”

— Brenden Aaronson, Leeds United Player

What’s next

With the World Cup roster submission deadline of May 30 approaching, Mauricio Pochettino will be closely monitoring the form and fitness of USMNT players to ensure he selects the most in-form squad for the tournament.

The takeaway

The mixed performances of USMNT players at the club level highlight the challenges Pochettino faces in assembling the ideal roster for the 2026 World Cup. While some players have earned promotions and delivered strong showings, others have struggled to find consistent playing time and production, raising questions about their readiness for the international stage.