By OkayGoal 
It’s gut check time for the U.S. men’s national team.
Mauricio Pochettino’s men are busy gearing up for their final friendlies against Senegal and Germany before the World Cup’s bright lights turn on across North America. From Gio Reyna and Alex Zendejas’ inclusions to the worrying form of Christian Pulisic, there will be no shortage of storylines to watch in the USMNT squad.
The USMNT have little room for error knowing that failing to win in either of their final two friendlies could be a confidence killer for when group stage play begins on June 12.
Here are five USMNT storylines to watch heading into the FIFA World Cup:
Can Christian Pulisic turn things around?
If the USMNT wants to play to their full potential this summer, Christian Pulisic will need to get back to his best.
Pulisic failed to score for AC Milan during the second half of the season and only registered two goal contributions since the start of 2026. The USMNT star enjoyed a positive first half of the season but failed to replicate those performances in the new year.
Coincidentally enough, Pulisic has also failed to make much of an impact with the USMNT over the past few camps, failing to find the back of the net since 2024.
Although Pulisic reiterated that he isn’t worried about the World Cup pressure, deep down he knows that he will face ample criticism if he does not deliver on home soil this summer.
Could Gio Reyna, Alex Zendejas be difference makers?
Alex Zendejas and Gio Reyna may have had opposite club campaigns for their respective teams but have the same job for the USMNT this summer.
Reyna earned his second World Cup call-up while Zendejas will be making his World Cup debut in the coming weeks.
Reyna scored just once for Borussia Moenchengladbach in the Bundesliga this season, enduring another frustrating campaign at club level. As for Zendejas, he delivered another stellar campaign for Mexican side Club America, registering his fourth-consecutive season with double-digit goals (13 in all competitions).
Despite their club roles, both bring different traits to the attacking third, something that Pochettino will aim to use in the group stage and potentially beyond. While I think Reyna has a leg up on Zendejas in the race for playing time, Zendejas’ inclusion is a deserved one.
Will Chris Richards be ready to go?
USMNT fans held their breaths when Chris Richards hobbled off the field at the Gtech Community Stadium back on May 17.
Fast forward 11 days later and Richards is en route to joining up with the USMNT after being named to his second World Cup. The USMNT centerback did not feature in Crystal Palace’s 1-0 UEFA Conference League Final victory over Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday despite training on Tuesday to get back in contention.
Richards made 50 appearances for the Eagles in all competitions this season, lifting three trophies and delivering his best club campaign yet abroad.
While he may not be risked in both friendlies against Senegal and Germany, I fully expect Richards to be ready for the Paraguay showdown on June 12.
Matt Freese or Matt Turner. Who grabs the No. 1 job?
Matt Turner was the USMNT’s No. 1 goalkeeper at the 2022 World Cup and has a strong chance of reclaiming his place four years later.
Turner has been one of MLS’ better goalkeepers this year, registering three clean sheets in 14 appearances. The veteran shot-stopper also featured for the USMNT in a 5-2 loss to Belgium last March, making his first international appearance in nine months.
However, Matt Freese will also be fighting for opportunities this summer after earning 13 caps under Pochettino in 2025. Freese delivered back-to-back productive seasons as NYCFC’s No. 1 before jumping into the starting role for the Americans at the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
He also featured in all six of the fall friendlies last year before starting in a 2-0 loss to Portugal in March.
Turner may have the experience edge on Freese, but the 27-year-old hasn’t done anything to hurt his chances of starting this summer either.
Who leads the way at the No. 9 position?
The USMNT’s best three striker options are all fit and available this summer, which is a great sign in comparison to years’ past.
Folarin Balogun, Ricardo Pepi, and Haji Wright will be competing for minutes at the No. 9 position after shining for their respective clubs abroad. Balogun and Pepi both scored 19 goals apiece for Monaco and PSV respectively while Wright netted 18 goals for Coventry City in the Sky Blues’ promotion-winning season.
Pochettino watched as Balogun ended 2025 by scoring in three-straight USMNT windows while Wright added three goals and Pepi failed to score in his lone cap of the year.
All three will be chomping at the bit to find the back of the net against Senegal and Germany but if the World Cup began tomorrow, it’s hard to argue with Balogun starting at the No. 9.
What storylines are you watching as camp continues? Are you confident in the USMNT’s abilities to make a deep World Cup run? Are you worried that they could not advance out of the group stage?
Share your thoughts below.