The calendar is ready to flip to November, and the United States Men’s National Team are a little over two weeks away from their final two matches of 2025. The USMNT want to end the year on a high note
as they start to look towards the World Cup draw and then a 2026 where they will co-host the World Cup.
Part of the importance of the November international window is the fact that after that window, the USMNT will only have one more international window before head coach Mauricio Pochettino will name his World Cup squad. For those players hoping to make the roster, it’s a race to impress and show that they should represent the nation next summer. To do that, the player pool has heal and look less like a MASH unit.
Some key players have been battling injuries for the better part of a year, and fans are hoping they can get back to 100% health quickly so that the full player pool can compete for those coveted World Cup spots and Pochettino can test some of the rotations he hopes to use.
The other aspect is that while the team has shown some improvement from September’s loss to South Korea through the October matches against Ecuador and Australia, they need to take it to the next level. To do that, getting some key players back will be useful. We take a look at some of the players that have been away from the USMNT due to injury that would be nice to have back ahead of a pivotal 2026.
Antonee Robinson
Could Antonee Robinson be the most important player on the injured list? His versatility at left back of being able to defend but also be a part of the attack is something the USMNT has been sorely missing for the year he’s been away from the team. He returned to camp in October, but a nagging injury forced him to be sidelined for both matches. Having Jedi back on the field feels vital for the team if they want to compete against the top quality competition they will see in the World Cup.
Ricardo Pepi
Ricardo Pepi was on a tear for PSV Eindhoven last year before he tore his ACL. He’s just recently returned to the field, and many fans hope he can get back to full fitness in time for the November window so he can come in and step up the competition at the center forward position. Pepi can score in bunches and his confidence allows him to start or come off the bench and be an immediate threat on offense. With him and Folarin Balogun both getting time on the field, the hope would be that they can produce enough for the USMNT to challenge the better teams next summer.
Sergiño Dest
Sergiño Dest has returned to the field for PSV after his ACL injury, but Mauricio Pochettino has been slow to include him back on the roster. Dest was called in for the Gold Cup this past summer, but was sent home after it was determined he wasn’t quite back to full fitness and was given the time to continue his rehab. Having Dest at right back position with Jedi Robinson at left back might change the shape of the defense that Pochettino has been working on recently, but even putting them at wingback could help the attack and still allow for cover for any defensive deficiencies that some think Dest possesses.
Johnny Cardoso
Johnny Cardoso is the most intriguing person on this list because he had really emerged as a budding star for Real Betis the past couple of seasons. However, that promise shown at the club level hasn’t translated completely to the international level. Since moving to Atlético Madrid over the summer, he hasn’t featured much due to injuries. Getting him back can present some options for the defensive portion of the midfield. Could he operate in a double pivot with Tyler Adams? Does he come off the bench? Can he take the star qualities that were starting to show with Betis and bring them fully to the USMNT? Those are all questions that can’t be answered until Johnny’s healthy again and is back playing regularly enough for Atleti to warrant a call up to showcase his skills.
Christian Pulisic
Christian Pulisic was injured during the October international window, coming on as a late substitute against Ecuador and then being forced to sub off early in the first half against Australia with a hamstring injury after a harsh challenge. He hasn’t played for AC Milan since, prompting concerns that he will not be ready for the November window. Coincidentally, the USMNT played better without Pulisic on the field againt Ecuador and Australia than they did with him, but part of having him back in the lineup is so the team can continue to gel and create with him in a pivotal role. He will likely be the central figure of the national team during the World Cup, but it won’t mean anything if the team continues to look disjointed. There isn’t a ton of time left to get him with some of the other key pieces of the team to be ready to take on the world, but it’s arguably the most important task over the next few months.
