Predicting the 9 defenders Mauricio Pochettino will select in the USMNT World Cup roster

The USMNT is set to announce its final roster on May 26 in New York City, and fans are invited to the fan celebration event. Here are the defenders Mauricio Pochettino should opt for.

Excluding an injury or a nagging fitness issue (knock on wood/fingers crossed) in the coming weeks, the defense is settled. What’s not settled is the formation. USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino has emphasized a "hybrid" approach, meaning the team may switch between a 4-3-3 AKA “Back Four” and a 3-4-3/5-2-3 or “Back Five” depending on the opponent.

The advantages to playing a Back Four (two center backs and two fullbacks means that roles and communication are simpler and allows more players in the midfield, which allows better defensive and offensive support. A Back Five (three center backs and two fullbacks) provides better coverage across the width of the pitch, especially in the box against crosses, and utilizes three central defenders to manage opposition strikers.

The problem of course is that the players do not have much time on the pitch (both practice and game) to become comfortable and know how to react in situations. The saying “If you have two defensive systems, you don’t really have any,” is something to keep in mind. Pochettino may very well settle on one. If he does, making tactical changes to blunt opponent strengths or take advantage of weaknesses prior to or during the game is easier when it is made from a base defense.

Center-backs (4)

Chris Richards

When describing his importance to the USMNT, Chris Richards is described as foundational, a cornerstone, and an I-beam. In the coming weeks, look for articles using backbone, bedrock, and pillar. It’s important to note that he plays the center of his club’s Back Five, who averages 1.18 goals conceded per match, fourth in the Premier League. It’s been a long season for Richards, starting a total of 33 matches and playing for over 2,600 minutes, so having a knee injury this March shouldn’t be a surprise. Recently for the USMNT, he missed playing against Belgium but was available for Portugal. He played the full 90 in the second friendly against Portugal, indicating the issue is not long-term, and has started for Crystal Palace throughout April.

Tim Ream

Tim Ream’s Pre-World Cup articles describe him as lots of miles on his odometer, workhorse, and a target for Father Time. It may be cruel but the man’s going to be in the lineup against Paraguay, and his leadership and experience are vital to this roster. Ream plays in a Back Four for Charlotte FC, but he’s been in enough situations both for the USMNT and his club teams to manage whatever Pochettino decides. He’s recently missed matches with a groin injury but is back in full training and available to play.

Mark McKenzie

The Toulouse FC center-back checks boxes: plays in a Back Five; in February, logged the full 90 minutes in eight consecutive matches, which resulted in five clean sheets and one loss; is not injured (!). Pochettino has included him in the recent friendlies and in the Gold Cup, prizing McKenzie’s speed and physicality. He is a proactive center-back known for solid 1v1 defending and anticipation. If Pochettino decides to change formations and lineups, this could play into McKenzie’s weakness, where he is not a good passer and tends to lose possession. Not knowing where your outlets are plays into this, so if he’s hoofing it up field, this indicates uncertainty.

Miles Robinson

Another defender playing in a Back Five with the FC Cincinnati defense, Robinson is excellent in the air and likes a good tackle. He wins a lot of duels due to his physical presence, but he also has quick feet that allows him to track down attackers. He’s good with the ball at his feet, but his off-cited weakness as a poor passer can be system related, so, again, a predictable outlet would be immensely helpful. The downside for his World Cup participation is a leg/groin injury, ruling him out of recent club games. His spot on the team is in danger if he can't shake off the injury.

In the Mix

Auston Trusty (Celtic FC in the Scottish Premiership), Tristan Blackmon (Vancouver Whitecaps in the MLS)

Full backs (4)

Antonee “Jedi” Robinson

If Jedi is fit and healthy, he’s one of the few USMNT players that are elite. But the “if” is ominous and recent injury reports have not been encouraging. Jedi is a key performer for Fulham, and his defensive recovery, crossing, and dribbling are superb. His weaknesses are related to consistency (final product and build-up play mistakes), which is hampered by his lack of playing time. Look for USMNT rooters to send positive energy out to the universe asking for the most beneficial outcome, because Jedi is essential for getting the USMNT out of the group stage.

Sergiño Dest

The PSV Eindhoven right back is the mirror image to Jedi. If healthy, Pochettino will put his name on the lineup sheet with an indelible marker. Dest is dynamic; an amazing dribbler, who loves to take on defenders; and is a swashbuckling attacker. Sure, he over-dribbles and is turnover prone, but he’s a chaos-maker, a trait not on the USMNT roster. The hamstring injury on March 8th was a blow, and like Jedi, Dest is essential. The universe needs to be asked for his injury outcome to be most beneficial too.

Max Arfsten

Columbus Crew left-back has to be a lock to make the World Cup squad. He is highly skilled, with elite dribbling and crossing, and is creative on the attack. But most importantly, he’s not injured! Plus, he’s been part of the squad for all of the 2025 and 2026 friendlies, the Gold Cup, and the Nations League. His defending is a work in progress, and playing in a Back Five would be beneficial due to the cover that the extra defender brings.

If Jedi and Dest are on the squad, Arfsten will still be valuable, and not just in a “break glass in case of emergency” situation, but because he’s a good change of pace sub. If he’s a starter and plays a lot of minutes, Arfsten isn’t a vulnerability and will probably be fine overall. But it would lower the USMNT ceiling.

Alex Freeman

Like Arfsten, the Villarreal right-back isn’t injured! In the April 26th, Celta Vigo match, Freeman started and played the full 90, which indicates that he’s adjusting to La Liga and should get more action in May. Freeman is a rangy athlete at 6’ 3” and has very good recovery speed, a rare combination. He is skilled at going forward but a meh defender. Again, he’d benefit from the cover of a Back Five. If he’s the starter, the conclusion is the same as Arfsten. He’ll be fine, but he’s not a chaos-maker.

In the Mix

Joe Scally (Borussia Mönchengladbach)

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow