First, a massive kudos to Pablo Maurer and Jeff Rueter for nailing this scoop for The Guardian. Because nothing makes more sense in the hellscape that is U.S. media coverage like two of the best domestic soccer reporters breaking the Men's National Team roster for the 2026 World Cup for a UK/English publication.

10/10 no notes.

A few leaks and whatnot started happening late in the week, seemingly giving players enough of a heads-up for whatever reveal/launch event was being planned for FOX's lineup show in NYC on Tuesday. As always executives are focused on the pomp and circumstance rather than the substance.

Yells into the void for the 1000th time: JUST PICK THE PING PONG BALLS!!!

With MLS entering a two-monthdomestic-based hiatus, this weekend's games were potentially the last time local media were going to be in contact with their domestic based players. We had assumed Turner was making the roster (we'll get to that assumption shortly) so we already had the chance to get those quotes. There might have been a lot of others that missed out on that to appease some exclusive advertiser.

As always, we're doing it wrong.

Revolution Homecoming Could Land Matt Turner The Starting USMNT Job
Matt Turner is looking to play in his second World Cup.
The Blazing MusketSeth Macomber

1 - MATT TURNER MAKES SECOND WORLD CUP

Let it be known for the second straight FIFA World Cup that the glorious (and unfortunately soon to be renamed) Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference will be in attendance and representing the United States of America.

I think that this was all but assumed and the only question was going to be if Turner could dethrone the seemingly entrenched #1 Matt Freese of NYCFC. I do like Chris Brady from the Chicago Fire as the third option though and hope he gets the nod in one of the Gold Cups in the 2030 cycle. But that's not why we're talking about Turner's selection.

I want just want it on the record that if this conversation occurred somewhere in Pochettino's office, I think this is a fireable offense. If you believe Freese is the #1 then start him, but you need to bring a capable backup and the guy who started and was pretty good at the 2022 World Cup who is currently in blistering shot stopping form is the only viable option.

Diego Kochen is a regular for Barcelona's (yes that one) B side in the second division and the 20-year-old could be making the jump to full senior international in the upcoming cycle. He's probably a lock to start in the Olympics and if you wanted to bring him in as the #3, I don't think that's insane despite his lack of senior experience.

But arguing about the third U.S. keeper is not a worthwhile endeavor, and while I like this keeper group, the USMNT is going to advance on the strength of its attacking plan and overall team organization rather than Freese or Turner standing on their heads.

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