GOAL brings the latest insights and talking points from the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) camp as the World Cup progresses.

IRVINE, California – There was an unexpected guest among the journalists at Tuesday’s USMNT training session. Though it wasn’t his first time there, it was the first occasion he was invited to pose a question to a World Cup player. The twist? He didn’t actually have one prepared.

The guest was none other than Weston McKennie, who quickly dodged the opportunity to participate, quipping, “I’m just here to moderate.”

Max Arfsten could only laugh when asked about McKennie’s antics. “Good guy,” Arfsten said with a grin. “Kind of a clown.”

That light-hearted exchange summed up the mood in the USMNT camp ahead of Thursday’s clash against Turkey. Though the atmosphere remains positive, there’s still plenty of focus within the squad despite the match carrying little weight for qualification. For several players, however, it could represent a final chance to secure a World Cup dream.

Arfsten and goalkeeper Matt Freese addressed the media on Tuesday following the team’s second full training session of the week. Here are the main takeaways from the day in Irvine.

Lineup decisions

One of the ongoing questions has been about head coach Mauricio Pochettino’s potential changes to his starting XI. With some players on yellow cards, Christian Pulisic nursing an injury, and little at stake in the standings, Pochettino faces a few tough calls regarding rotation.

“Tough question,” Arfsten said. “Good thing I’m not a coach!”

Arfsten is one of the players who could feature if changes are made. Antonee Robinson, the team’s regular left-back, picked up a yellow card against Australia, meaning another booking versus Turkey would see him suspended for the Round of 32. Arfsten is therefore among the logical replacements, and several other changes could follow.

If selected, it would mark Arfsten’s World Cup debut—an opportunity to contribute to the momentum built from two consecutive wins.

“Honestly, I think the most important thing is that no matter who’s playing, we go out and try to get three points,” he said. “The energy from the two wins has been great, and a third would lift us even higher. Ultimately, it’s the coach’s decision, and we’ll see what happens.”

He added, “No matter what, everyone’s still trying to prove something.”

That includes Freese, who has started both matches so far. With limited top-level international experience, another start could aid his development, though Matt Turner and Chris Brady are also hoping for a chance.

“It’s a coach’s decision, obviously,” Freese said. “We’ve got 26 guys here who all want to play, who are ready to play, and who work hard every day in training. We have full confidence in everyone, so our focus is just on preparing well and being ready for whatever comes.”

Freese content with quiet outings

Across two matches, Freese has had limited action. Against Paraguay, he didn’t register a save, and there was little he could do about the goal conceded in the 4-1 victory. In the second match against Australia, he made two saves from two shots on target.

Overall, he hasn’t been overly busy, as the USMNT have outshot opponents 26-14. Freese doesn’t mind that; in fact, he views it as a positive sign of the team’s defensive strength.

“Part of being a goalkeeper is realising it’s not always about you,” he said. “The fewer saves I have to make, the better we’re playing as a team. I focus on preventing shots rather than just preparing to save them.”

Much of the recent discussion around the USMNT has centred on finding a long-term No. 1 goalkeeper—a mantle that Freese currently holds. The team has a proud history of standout goalkeepers, including Tim Howard, Brad Friedel, Kasey Keller, and Tony Meola. Whether anyone in the current squad can emulate their influence remains to be seen.

Freese insists he feels motivated, not intimidated, by those comparisons. “I wouldn’t say it’s intimidating; I’d say it’s inspiring,” he said. “It’s a long line of goalkeepers I’ve admired my whole life. To have my name mentioned alongside theirs is a huge honour. The bar is high, and I’ll do everything I can to meet and exceed it.”

Looking back at the previous meeting

Like Paraguay and Australia, Turkey are familiar opponents. The U.S. last faced them in East Hartford last summer. That match served as Freese’s first international cap and Alex Freeman’s debut, marking the beginning of a transformative Gold Cup campaign for a young USMNT squad, including Arfsten.

“That Gold Cup was a big milestone for many of us, myself included,” Arfsten reflected. “It was our first real taste of competitive football for the national team, and it was incredible. We learned a lot and showed that we belong at this level.”

Though time has passed since that summer, Arfsten believes that familiarity with Turkey, as with Paraguay and Australia, remains useful. “I think it helps to have that experience against them,” he added.

Philadelphia connection

Following his World Cup debut, Auston Trusty shared a photo of himself with Freese, captioned: “Just two Delco boys playing in the World Cup.” The two, both products of the Philadelphia Union academy, have known each other since childhood.

Trusty and Freese are joined in the squad by fellow Union academy graduates Mark McKenzie and Brenden Aaronson. The four have been teammates since their teenage years, and now they’re representing their country together on the sport’s biggest stage.

“Sharing this moment with Trusty, Mark, and B[renden] feels surreal,” Freese said. “A lot of credit goes to the Union Academy and what they’re doing in Philadelphia to develop players. It’s not just them; MLS academies nationwide are producing top talent. To be here with them, on home soil, is something we used to dream about. It’s amazing that it’s become reality.”

‘Maybe I’ll listen to some Chill Drake’

Even at a World Cup, players need time to unwind. For Arfsten, music is the go-to outlet. “I’m a big Drake guy,” he said, “but if I’m really trying to relax, maybe I’ll listen to some Chill Drake.”

When not listening to music, Arfsten turns to Netflix for downtime. Forward Folarin Balogun also mentioned the importance of mental breaks after the Paraguay match.

“I’m watching a Netflix show right now called ‘The Lincoln Lawyer’,” Arfsten shared. “I’d recommend it. It’s pretty cool. I don’t know much about law, so it’s fascinating to me.”