There will likely be news faces in the USMNT Gold Cup squad, as Mauricio Pochettino seeks the "right characters to be really competitive"
The Gold Cup is nearly upon us, and U.S. national team manager Mauricio Pochettino has already promised some changes for the U.S. men's national team. After falling flat in the CONCACAF Nations League, those changes are necessary as the coach looks to get back on the right track.
“The right mindset must be there, because we need to compete for our flag, our country," Pochettino said last month. "What we are trying to do as a staff is to optimize every single area of preparation, and the mentality of the players is really important. We need to be intelligent in the way that we are going to select the players and not just choose based on talent alone. We need to have the right characters to be really competitive.”
Most of those characters will be familiar faces. Christian Pulisic is one, no doubt. No one else can bring what Tyler Adams does to this team as a defensive midfielder. Diego Luna has played his way into a spot, while Chris Richards' run to the FA Cup final with Crystal Palace has more than solidified his.
There are still spots up for grabs, though, and there's a possibility Pochettino could look at players he hasn't worked with before. With that in mind, GOAL looks at seven young USMNT hopefuls that have made a case to be involved at the Gold Cup this summer.
ImagoPaxten Aaronson, FC Utrecht
While a potential return for his older brother wouldn't be a surprise either, the younger Aaronson has also played his way into contention with the senior group.
The loan to FC Utrecht has been a masterstroke for Paxten Aaronson, with the former Philadelphia Union starlet taking several leaps forward throughout this season in the Eredivisie. Just 21, Aaronson leads the club in goals with seven as they push for a European spot. After shining at the Olympics last summer, Aaronson has surely been awaiting his USMNT chance, and based on his club performances, it could be coming soon.
Capable of playing either out wide or as a No. 10, Aaronson surely faces some competition in either position, including from his older brother, Brenden. Even so, Aaronson has earned his place on merit, having improved as a player since he suited up for the U.S. U23s last summer.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportJohn Tolkin, Holstein Kiel
Injuries have impacted his start in the Bundesliga, but when he has been healthy, John Tolkin has been spectacular.
Playing for a team fighting against relegation, Tolkin has provided two assists in just nine matches, seven of which have been starts. During his time with the New York Red Bulls, Tolkin showed he was both a man for the big occasion and a dangerous dead-ball specialist. Those descriptions continue to apply even at a higher level in the Bundesliga.
It's unlikely Tolkin or anyone else will unseat the current starter at left back, Antonee Robinson, soon, but there is certainly an audition ongoing for the role of his backup. The fullback also has a fight on his hands for these next several weeks as he looks to keep his club in the Bundesliga, as Holstein Kiel look to battle their way into a playoff and avoid relegation.
There are big games ahead for Tolkin and, if he continues to play well in them, he'll have made a good case.
ImagnSebastian Berhalter, Vancouver Whitecaps
Imagine this one happening? Berhalter is the son of former USMNT boss Gregg, but the Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder has gone above and beyond to make a name for himself recently.
He ran the show in the Whitecaps' two-legged CONCACAF Champions Cup takedown of Lionel Messi's Inter Miami providing two goals and two assists in the semifinal win. Sandwiched between those two wins was another goal in Vancouver's 3-1 win over Minnesota United, while the midfielder also found the back of the net in April's triumph over Pumas.
In terms of pure form, few can compare to Berhalter right now. The 23-year-old is leaping to a whole new level, and while USMNT talk may be premature, Pochettino's willingness to include MLS standouts could just open up a spot for him on the team.
Getty Images SportCaleb Wiley, Watford (on loan from Chelsea)
Due to injury, it took Wiley some time to find his footing Watford but, once he did, it was easy to see why he's been so coveted early on in his career.
The ex-Atlanta United starlet joined Chelsea last year and spent the first half of the season on loan with Strasbourg. Loan rules and an injury ended up requiring him to return, and he promptly joined Watford in the Championship. Once he did get healthy, he began to show his quality, proving himself more than capable in the rough-and-tumble Championship.
Wiley started eight of his 10 appearances for Watford, putting in solid shifts on that left-hand side. Part of the 20-year-old's allure is that he provides depth anywhere on the left, which makes him a valuable asset in a tournament setting. Defensively, he won more than 60 percent of his duels while, on the attacking side of the ball, he showed an ability to go forward, headlined by an assist against Hull City.
Part-backup to Robinson and part-supersub winger, Wiley could be useful if he is called in now and, if he continues to develop, he could certainly grow into a bigger role.