With the 2026 World Cup less than a year away, GOAL looks at the state of the wingers vying for spots next summer
Despite all the surrounding rhetoric about missing players – some overblown, some on point – at the Gold Cup, the U.S. men's national team was generally able to manage without the team's biggest stars. It wasn't perfect by any stretch but, at the very least, Mauricio Pochettino had a roster full of players who could plug gaps.
With one exception: The winger position. From the start, it was impossible to really navigate.
Part of that was on Pochettino for selecting a roster without any true line-stretching wingers. In fairness, though, there's a reason for that – there are so few available in this player pool. Outside of Christian Pulisic and Tim Weah, there are no truly proven commodities ready to play out wide and threaten opponents. Neither was on the Gold Cup squad.
It could end up being a problem. Heading towards the World Cup, the health – and buy-in – of Pulisic and Weah will be paramount. Without them – or somebody else stepping up into that role – you get the moments of stagnation that were all-too visible at the Gold Cup. With them, you get goals like the one – Pulisic to Weah – scored against Wales at the last World Cup.
There are important players all over the field for the USMNT, but there may not be a more important position than winger, especially given the talent atop the depth chart – and the shallow pool below.
Post-Gold Cup, GOAL is looking at the state of the USMNT, analyzing the positional battles that will ultimately define next summer's team. Next up: wingers.
GettyThe Starters: Christian Pulisic, Tim Weah
Despite all the drama over the summer – and some legitimate bridge building that will be required because of it – Pulisic is still the guy for the USMNT. He remains this team's best player and most dangerous attacker. Yes, he'll need to mend fences. Yes, he'll need to have a sit-down with Pochettino. Yes, he'll likely have to win some trust back after skipping the Gold Cup.
And yes, he'll have to restore his reputation in order to regain his status in American soccer, at least among some USMNT fans.
That said, he's too talented to exclude. Period. It's in everyone's interest to work things out.
With Pulisic on one side of the attack – and it could be either side – the question then becomes who lines up opposite him? For years, that has been Weah, who has provided a vital injection of pace and versatility to the team. Both of those factors were desperately missing this summer as the U.S. struggled to generate much of anything from the wide areas of the field.
Pochettino will surely be glad to have Weah back in September, giving him a winger that can actually stretch the field and make defenses uncomfortable. Still, Weah, despite his qualities, is no certainty. He appears to be on the move from Juventus, which could be a good thing considering he's bounced in and out of the XI as a wingback since he's arrived.
Can he get more regular minutes at Marseille, where he's speculated to land? How will they use him? It's a big move but, in truth, one without much downside considering how Juve have used him throughout his time in Turin.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportThe Backup: Diego Luna
A lonely category, but realistically, Diego Luna is the only other winger that has solidified a spot. Ever since he played through a broke nose in January camp, the Real Salt Lake star's stock has soared, due to his energy, effort and, just as importantly, ability.
Luna is a player who, simply, makes things happen, a trait he showcased throughout the Gold Cup. Was his performance against Mexico in the finale a blip? Sure, but we'll give him a pass, given everything that preceded it. Pochettino seems to love Luna, who has said and done all of the right things since making his USMNT breakthrough.
As long as everything continues on as it has, he should be at the World Cup, providing valuable depth, energy and creativity to the USMNT attack.
NOTE: Haji Wright could also be in this category, he's grouped with the strikers, even though he often plays out wide on the club level.
GettyIn The Mix: Brenden Aaronson, Jack McGlynn, Alejandro Zendejas
A mixture of profiles, with different skillsets and points to prove as they look to get into the XI.
Brenden Aaronson has his critics and, speaking to GOAL during the Gold Cup, said he's eager to prove them wrong. He didn't get many chances to do that this summer, starting just one game at the tournament, but he did play his part off the bench. You know what you're getting with Aaronson: energy, effort, pressing and maybe a goal or two. The big question is if he can further elevate his game and solidify a spot.
Jack McGlynn, too, is adding aspects to his game after being traded to the Houston Dynamo during the MLS offseason. Previously a defensive midfielder, McGlynn has played as both a No. 10 and as a winger, featuring primarily at the latter when he did play for the USMNT. His perceived lack of pace is held against him, and he argues that it isn't based on reality. In either case, McGlynn does have to improve defensively if he's to win a spot as either a winger or a No. 8.
And then there's Alejandro Zendejas, who has been left out of the U.S. squad since the fall. It's a puzzling one, given his success at Club America, where he's asserted himself as arguably the best player for one of the continent's biggest teams. If he keeps scoring, he'll be harder to deny, especially given the lack of pure wingers in the pool at the moment.
Zendejas was diplomatic about his lack of opportunity, saying he hasn't heard from Pochettino and stressing it's out of his control.
"That's his decision for him to make, and I respect it 100 percent. What I can do is my job, you know, I got to perform on the field, and then hopefully that call up will come," he said following Liga MX's loss at the MLS All-Star Skills Challenge.
Getty Images SportFor The Future: Kevin Paredes, Griffin Yow, Cade Cowell, Quinn Sullivan
Of the these, Kevin Paredes is probably the most intriguing at the moment, simply because we haven't seen much of him over the last year. An injury derailed his most recent season for Wolfsburg but he has shown, when healthy, he can play at a Bundesliga level. If that translates, he's a contender for a USMNT spot, both in the here and now and going forward.
Another member of the Olympic team, Griffin Yow has yet to get his USMNT chance, but has developed as a player in Belgium with Westerlo. We'll have to see where he ends up on the club level, but another good season could put him in the mix.
Cade Cowell has fallen out of favor amid a tough spell at Chivas, but the former San Jose Earthquakes star is still just 21. Can he ever match the soccer up with his physical gifts? That remains to be seen but, if he can, there's a useful player there.
Qunn Sullivan, too, is still just 21 and could blossom after his USMNT experience this summer.
