InMauricio Pochettino’s perfect universe, everyone in the U.S. player pool will maintain top health and fitness through theWorld Cuproster selection process and well into this summer’s soccer fun.
Reality, though, has other ideas.
And across six weeks until he announces his 26 selections, Pochettino will watch players return from injuries and succumb to them.
This weekend brought movement in both directions, largely positive.
MidfielderTyler Adamsappeared in a Premier League match for the first time since injuring a quadriceps on March 3. Entering in the 70th minute, he played a role in high pressure that forced a giveaway and triggered Bournemouth’s tiebreaking goal for a 2-1 stunner at front-running Arsenal. The Cherries are unbeaten in 12 games.
The 2022 World Cup captain is an almost sure U.S. starter when available — something he has not been since September because of injuries and the birth of a child. He’s got six matches left to hit his stride … and avoid another setback.
Sidelined since injuring his leg at U.S. camp two weeks ago, midfielderJohnny Cardosohas resumed training with Atlético Madrid and could be ready for theChampions League quarterfinal’s second leg Tuesday vs. Barcelonaor the Copa del Rey final Saturday vs. Real Sociedad.
Right backSergiño Dest, a U.S. starter when healthy, is on track to return to PSV Eindhoven this season after injuring a hamstring March 8. The Dutch Eredivisie champions have four matches left.
“From what I hear from him personally and from the medical staff, it is going very well and it is likely that he will get some minutes this season,” coach Peter Bosz said. “So I am very happy about that.”
In contention for the No. 3 U.S. goalkeeping slot, Cincinnati’sRoman Celentanoreturned from an injury that had forced him to withdraw from national team camp.
With the good comes the bad. Less than a week after forwardPatrick Agyemangwasruled out of World Cup selectionwith an Achilles tendon injury, left backJohn Tolkinsuffered a possible ACL injury Friday for second-tier Holstein Kiel.
BehindAntonee RobinsonandMax Arfstenin the U.S. pecking order, Tolkin wasn’t invited to the recent camp and was a long shot for the World Cup squad.
Nonetheless, his absence chips away at Pochettino’s pool, like the long-term injuries to Celtic center backCameron Carter-Vickers(Achilles tendon) and St. Pauli defensive midfielderJames Sands(ankle).
Miles Robinson, a regular call-up from a thin corps of center backs, has not played for Cincinnati since a groin strain at U.S. camp last month sidelined him for both friendlies.
As for those in action this weekend …
France
StrikerFolarin Balogunremains in fabulous form, scoring in the 36th minute of Monaco’s 4-1 loss at Paris FC — his sixth straight match with a goal and eighth in the past nine games to raise his Ligue 1 count to 11 and his overall tally to 17 in 38 matches.
It was a far worse weekend for center backMark McKenzie, whose 48th-minute red card for pulling down a free-running opponent contributed to a one-goal deficit turning into Toulouse’s 4-0 howler against Lille.
Advertisement
Tim Weahstarted at right wing back and went the distance in a 3-1 win over last-place Metz, leaving Olympique Marseille one point out of the third and final automatic Champions League berth next season.
MidfielderTanner Tessmannentered in the 82nd minute of fifth-place Lyon’s 2-0 victory over Lorient.
Italy
Despite creating opportunities for himself and his teammates — and earning AC Milan’s best analytics score —Christian Pulisicremained without a goal over 16 matches for club and country in 2026 with 72 scoreless minutes in a 3-0 loss to Udinese.
Midfielder-defender-forwardWeston McKennieserved a yellow-card suspension for Juventus’ 1-0 win at Atalanta, which left midfielderYunus Musahon the bench for the third time in four matches.
England
Three days after center backChris Richardsand Crystal Palace began the UEFA Conference League quarterfinals with a convincing win over Fiorentina, the Eagles scored twice late to defeat Newcastle, 2-1, for their third straight win and improve to 6-1-3 over 10 matches across all competitions.
Antonee Robinson went 69 minutes in Fulham’s 2-0 loss at Liverpool — his fourth consecutive Premier League start.
Just three points above the relegation zone, midfielderBrenden Aaronsonand Leeds are at Manchester United on Monday.
In the second-flight Championship, forwardHaji Wrightwent scoreless for the fourth consecutive match as first-place Coventry City settled for a 0-0 home draw with last-place Sheffield Wednesday. Nonetheless, Wright is enjoying a fine season with 16 league goals (17 overall) and Coventry is on pace for Premier League promotion after a 25-year wait.
In a 1-0 loss to Portsmouth, central midfielderAidan Morrisplayed 90 minutes for Middlesbrough, which is winless in six matches and, after flirting with first place, is now staring at the promotion playoff.
Germany
While right backJoe Scallylogged 90 minutes for Mönchengladbach in a 1-0 loss at RB Leipzig,Gio Reynadidn’t play. Of the nine Bundesliga matches for which he has been in uniform in 2026, the midfielder has made three appearances totaling 34 minutes.
MidfielderMalik Tillmanentered in the 90th minute of Bayer Leverkusen’s 1-0 win at Borussia Dortmund, leaving him with five minutes played over two matches since returning from U.S. duty.
Noahkai Banks, the dual-national center back weighing U.S. and German opportunities, remained on the bench for the third time in four matches as Augsburg drew with Hoffenheim, 2-2.
Spain
Right backAlex Freemancontinues to struggle for playing time at third-place Villarreal, sitting out the 2-1 victory at Athletic Bilbao. The former Orlando City standout has gotten 58 minutes in five matches since arriving in late January.
Netherlands
In his 12th league start, PSV Eindhoven strikerRicardo Pepiscored his 11th Eredivisie goal, in first-half stoppage time as part of an 83-minute effort during a 2-0 win for the Eredivisie champions at Sparta Rotterdam. The Texan also has posted three Champions League goals.
Scotland
Center backAuston Trustyreceived high marks for the second consecutive weekend, playing all of Celtic’s 1-0 win over St. Mirren.
Mexico
WingerAlex Zendejas— who, despite another excellent campaign for Club América, didn’t receive a camp invitation last month — assisted on an early goal during a 1-1 draw with Cruz Azul.
Major League Soccer
New York City’sMatt Freesemade eight saves in a 2-0 loss at Vancouver, while New England’sMatt Turnerand Chicago’sChris Bradyearned shutout victories against D.C. and Atlanta, respectively.
Center backTim Reamplayed 90 in Charlotte’s 2-1 loss to Nashville. Center backTristan Blackmonwent 90 for Vancouver. Arfsten started on the left wing against Orlando. MidfieldersCristian Roldan(Seattle) andDiego Luna(Real Salt Lake) were off.
Set-piece expertSebastian Berhalterassisted on a first-half free kick for Vancouver …
… while Whitecaps strikerBrian Whitescored late for his sixth goal of the season, the most among Americans in MLS.
Post a Comment