GOAL takes a closer look at which players strengthened their case, who still has questions to address, and what Mauricio Pochettino might have gathered from the USMNT’s final warm-up matches before the World Cup.

CHICAGO – The rehearsal stage is officially over. The next time the U.S. Men’s National Team step onto the pitch, it will be at the World Cup. For many, that moment can’t come soon enough.

After years of preparation, there’s no more room for experiments or adjustments. The next starting eleven will be the one that begins the World Cup opener.

In truth, head coach Mauricio Pochettino has likely known his preferred lineup for months. He told reporters at the start of the recent camp that he had a strong idea of his best eleven even before the March training window. While injuries or form could still alter plans, Pochettino appeared confident about his core group of players.

That didn’t make the recent friendlies against Senegal and Germany irrelevant. Those matches helped reaffirm some of his decisions, particularly concerning his younger talents, while also raising new considerations as the U.S. prepare for the real challenge ahead.

With that context, here’s a look at whose stock rose and who saw theirs fall after the last pre-World Cup friendlies.

Stock Up: Christian Pulisic

Can the team’s biggest star really improve his standing? As it turns out, yes.

Pulisic entered this preparation phase under scrutiny. He hadn’t scored for months and hadn’t found the net for the USMNT since 2024. Those concerns can now be put to rest. He’s rediscovered his sharpness and looks mentally and physically prepared for the big stage.

Against Senegal, he scored one goal and assisted another. He didn’t get on the scoresheet versus Germany but looked rejuvenated—dribbling with confidence against one of the world’s elite sides. That is precisely the version of Pulisic the U.S. will rely on this summer: a fearless leader capable of unsettling top defences.

Across both games, his energy and influence suggested he’s ready for the World Cup—and if he’s ready, the USMNT are in a good place too.

Stock Down: Miles Robinson

It was a challenging week for Robinson. His mistake against Senegal was clear-cut, and while the error against Germany was shared, he was again involved. At the World Cup level, such lapses can be costly, and Robinson didn’t show the composure required to avoid them.

In the larger picture, this might not be a major setback. If fit, Chris Richards is expected to start at centre-back, likely relegating Robinson to a bench role. However, with Richards’ fitness uncertain and the unpredictability of tournament football, every squad member must be ready to step in. Confidence and form are vital, and Robinson didn’t do much to reinforce either.

Whether the USMNT will need him remains to be seen, but these two matches didn’t inspire greater trust in his readiness.

Stock Up: Alex Freeman

Freeman arrived at last summer’s Gold Cup as a raw but exciting attacking full-back. Now, he looks like a defensive asset capable of operating as both a right-back and a third centre-back—potentially even starting at the World Cup.

Few could have predicted such rapid development.

He’s still a work in progress, as shown by a few loose touches and moments of positional inexperience across these friendlies. Yet his athleticism and adaptability compensate for those growing pains. Freeman’s pace and physical presence stand out, and he appears to be improving every time he plays. Against strong opponents like Senegal and Germany, he rarely looked out of place.

He entered camp as a possible option; he leaves as a near-certain starter. That’s a remarkable rise for a player whose potential seems sky-high heading into Qatar and beyond.

Stock Down: Auston Trusty / Mark McKenzie

This dip isn’t due to poor performances—both defenders were solid across the two friendlies. They made no major errors and even produced key defensive interventions for the USMNT.

The issue is opportunity. At present, neither seems likely to start for a full-strength U.S. side—a situation that looked more open just a week and a half ago.

Chris Richards remains a definite starter, while Alex Freeman has likely secured his spot. Tim Ream, meanwhile, emphasised his importance against Germany, acting as a calm presence under pressure. On several occasions, teammates left him in tight spots, and Ream consistently handled them with composure.

Trusty and McKenzie, on the other hand, saw limited minutes—mostly in second-half cameos. Robinson was handed the high-profile start against Senegal, while the former Philadelphia Union pair had to make do with shorter spells. Neither did anything wrong, but based on Pochettino’s selections, their starting prospects appear slimmer now.

Stock Up: Malik Tillman

The idea of deploying Tillman as a No. 6 initially raised eyebrows. But after his display against Germany, that tactical shift might just pay off.

To be precise, Tillman wasn’t a traditional defensive midfielder. He played deeper than usual, taking on more defensive duties than he typically does. His pressing and work rate were outstanding, repeatedly disrupting Germany’s rhythm and creating attacking chances for the U.S. The experiment worked effectively against elite opposition, suggesting it could succeed against others too.

Tillman appears open to the adjustment, one that positions him further from goal but increases his influence off the ball. For now, he seems to be vying with Sebastian Berhalter for a starting role, but his performance against Germany may have been enough to secure that spot for the Bayer Leverkusen star.