USMNT October Camp: Finally, A Proper Window

The October international window is in the books, and for the first time in a long while, the USMNT faithful can hold their heads high. A win and a draw leave the program feeling positive, though plenty of work remains to be done.

It was an October window that finally felt good for the United States men’s national team, as Mauricio Pochettino’s men produced two solid performances against potential World Cup opponents. While the U.S. is by no means a finished product, this was a step in the right direction for a team that was in no man’s land only a month ago.

The realities of the U.S. men’s soccer program cannot be covered up by these two matches — the 2026 cycle has been largely poor, with team morale at an all-time low entering the September window.

A win over Japan following a dismal display against South Korea did little to ease tensions around the squad back in September. But a solid 1-1 draw with a potential World Cup dark horse in Ecuador, followed by a 2-1 comeback victory over Australia, the first under the new manager, allows Pochettino to sleep a bit easier. However, there’s still much to improve. By the end of the November window, the U.S. will need to start answering the big question: does this team look like a round-of-16 contender, a squad capable of playing at least two knockout games, at the 2026 FIFA World Cup?

Here are some important takeaways from the October camp.

The Three-Man Backline Is Here to Stay

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Despite Pochettino trying to dodge the question of whether the U.S. has become a three-man backline team, all signs point to yes. The World Cup will present major challenges, and this is a team known for defensive mishaps — just look at Australia’s early goal in the second match of this window. A three-man backline, supported by two fullbacks, gives the U.S. a more defensive posture that effectively features five at the back, with Tyler Adams acting as a kind of sixth defender.

During the October camp, Miles Robinson surprised many by starting both matches. Still, the backline will ultimately be marshaled by Tim Ream and Chris Richards. The question now is: who completes that trio? Robinson was the latest choice, though Mark McKenzie also saw minutes and performed well in spells.

The biggest loser appears to be Cameron Carter-Vickers, who did not feature in either game and could be the odd man out when the World Cup squad is selected.

If the World Cup were tomorrow, the backline would likely consist of Robinson/McKenzie, Richards, and Ream, with Sergiño Dest and Antonee Robinson in the wing back roles.

James Sands and Cristian Roldan: Monkey Wrenches In the Midfield

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The performances of James Sands, who showed both good and bad but was overall decent, and Cristian Roldan — who contributed two assists against Australia — make an already crowded midfield even more competitive. It seems Pochettino is looking for unique qualities in each midfielder rather than a lineup of carbon copies. Here, Roldan stood out, earning praise from the manager for his leadership, which was then rewarded by Roldan’s best game in a U.S. kit against Australia.

Tanner Tessmann’s stock continues to rise, while Adams remains the team’s captain and backbone. Weston McKennie has become the all-terrain utility man, with Aidan Morris serving as a reliable understudy to the top-tier midfielders.

The November camp will be crucial for Johnny Cardoso to impress Pochettino, and time is beginning to run out for names like Yunus Musah and Sebastian Berhalter, who may not return given the improved performances from others in the middle.

Defense Needs to be Improved

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The USMNT remains prone to defensive blunders. It will be a major mission for Pochettino to make the team solid at the back. While the defense looked better against Ecuador and Australia, a stern test to close out the year against Uruguay and Paraguay will truly measure Pochettino’s coaching capabilities, particularly in how he adjusts that leaky defense.

If the United States wants to go far in 2026 they will need a solid defense to absorb better quality attacks from the best in the game.

Haji Wright

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The biggest winner of the camp was Haji Wright. The Coventry City forward netted a brace against Australia and now has seven goals in 19 caps. With Folarin Balogun emerging as the team’s top striker option due to his level of play and tactical awareness, Wright has taken firm control of the third striker spot as Pochettino awaits a full evaluation of Ricardo Pepi, who is a solid and effective poacher.

Christian Pulisic

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After leaving the Australia match with an apparent hamstring injury, fans of both the USMNT and AC Milan are holding their breath over the health of Christian Pulisic.

While the severity of the injury is still unclear, there have been reports that Milan are fearful of the injury being serious, and that he could be sidelined for up to a month. Pochettino blamed the change in altitude and weather between Austin, where the U.S. played Ecuador, and Denver, where they played Australia.

Either way, Milan aren’t very happy about the way Pulisic was deployed in the window.

Wild Cards

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Gio Reyna remains the great wildcard — the big mystery. A fully fit and confident Reyna elevates the USMNT considerably, but the Borussia Mönchengladbach midfielder is once again recovering from injury. A strong November camp could be his only real chance to make a massive impression on Pochettino.

Tim Weah, meanwhile, is being viewed as “Mr. Versatility,” having played on both sides of the pitch. At Olympique de Marseille, he’s been deployed all over the field, and Pochettino seems intent on grooming him for multiple roles. However, a regular starting spot is looking increasingly unlikely unless there are injuries.

November Window Is Where We Judge

The time for reviewing individual players is over. While a few may still command fan attention, the focus must now shift to viewing the USMNT as a team: how it is structured, how it reacts to losing or winning possession, its defensive integrity, and the chances it creates.

Uruguay — winners of both their October friendlies — and Paraguay will be no pushovers. In fact, both could be potential World Cup opponents for the U.S.

The need to evaluate the team as a whole has become essential. The November window must give fans and pundits a clear answer as to whether the USMNT looks like a side capable of playing two knockout games at the World Cup.

For now, judgment is reserved. But the groundwork has been laid. The formation appears set, the squad is largely defined, and now it’s time to produce results. Fans deserve to enter 2026 with far more optimism than they had just two months ago.