USMNT Post-Camp Analysis: Pulisic in 8-Match Scoring Drought, Roster Questions Loom for Pochettino

ESPN's USMNT World Cup Big Board 6.0, published in early April following the March camp losses to Belgium and Portugal, highlighted a critical concern: captain Christian Pulisic had gone 8 consecutive matches without a goal across club (AC Milan) and country, with 0 goals in all of 2026 for either side. Pochettino's 4-3-3 system conceded 7 goals across two friendlies (2–5 to Belgium, 0–2 to Portugal) and drew renewed calls to adjust the defensive midfield pairing. Key questions ahead of the May 26 roster announcement: whether Ricardo Pepi can hold a starting striker role, who partners Tyler Adams in midfield, and whether the back four exposed by Portugal's transition play will be restructured. The USMNT's next fixture is May 31 vs Senegal in Charlotte — Pochettino's only remaining test before naming his 26-man World Cup squad. Group D opponents Kosovo, Paraguay, and Australia will all have studied the Belgium and Portugal footage.