The U.S. men’s national team closed out an unbeaten October window on Tuesday night with several players excelling over the two matches.
From Haji Wright and Folarin Balogun both finding the back of the net, to Chris Richards’ continued defensive leadership, to Cristian Roldan’s impressive start, there was plenty for USMNT fans to be happy with.
However, a few others disappointed during the window, taking a step back over the two matches. Christian Pulisic played a small role over the two matches before eventually being injured against Australia.
James Sands looked like a player that hadn’t featured for the USMNT in two years while Tim Weah was quiet in the final third.
Here is a closer look at the USMNT’s winners and losers from the October window:
Winners
Haji Wright
The Coventry City forward certainly made the most of his first USMNT start since 2024.
Wright scored twice in Tuesday’s 2-1 home victory over Australia. The in-form striker got the nod over Folarin Balogun and was able to beat Matthew Ryan twice in superb fashion.
Not only did Wright score twice, he worked tirelessly in the final third, holding up possession for his teammates and connecting with fellow attackers.
Now Wright heads back to Coventry with even more confidence than he originally arrived in camp with.
Folarin Balogun
Folarin Balogun was also on the scoresheet this month, padding his stock in the No. 9 race.
Balogun showed great awareness against Ecuador, finishing off Malik Tillman’s pass for the USMNT’s equalizer. The Monaco forward also came close to scoring in the first half, forcing a strong save from Hernan Galindez.
After a slow start to club play this season, Balogun leaves USMNT camp with a confidence boost of his own.
Cristian Roldan
Not many would’ve expected Cristian Roldan to start on Tuesday, but the veteran midfielder did not disappoint.
Roldan registered his first multi-assist match in USMNT colors, setting up Haji Wright for both of his goals against Australia. Despite committing an error on the Australians’ opening goal, Roldan responded by teeing up Wright on a different pair of attacking plays.
The 30-year-old created two chances and won two duels, showing great awareness on the USMNT’s eventual go-ahead goal.
Losers
Christian Pulisic
It wasn’t an international break for Christian Pulisic to remember.
Pulisic logged 48 minutes in his two appearances, failing to make much of an impact overall. The AC Milan star took a beating on Tuesday, eventually being substituted off before halftime.
After being diagnosed with a hamstring injury, Pulisic’s status for the resumption of Serie A play this weekend remains unknown.
Tim Weah
Tim Weah may have started both matches for the USMNT, but he failed to provide much in either appearance.
Weah featured as a wing back behind Weston McKennie, but struggled to really have a say in the final third. He registered one shot on target and created two offensive chances.
However, Weah’s performances were quiet, opening the door for others to potentially step in this November.
James Sands
James Sands looked like a player that hadn’t made a USMNT appearance in two years.
Sands logged 68 minutes on Tuesday, but his unfortunate back clearance led to Australia’s opening goal. While the USMNT defense did not deal with Jordan Bos in the box, Sands’ failed clearance put the Americans under needless pressure.
He still could be an option in November and beyond, but has to be a bit more decisive in his decision-making.
Who did you think impressed during the October window? Who disappointed in your eyes?
Share your thoughts below.
The US basically held possession from ‘25 until Wright’s goal in the ‘33. Australia were never in that time able to put two consecutive passes together. Either playing it long or out. The ball went side to side and even recycled back to Freese and then quickly forward to Weah that he nearly curled into the net.
Pulisic is expected to be out recovering from his hamstring injury for 3 to 4 weeks.
I wouldn’t expect to see him for the November friendlies.
Wright for sure. Before the game, not sure if it was Dunseth or Martino, said that he thought Agyemang was a better choice for the final roster than Wright and then Wright goes out and scored 2 very nice goals. I mentioned Wright as an example in the previous game as someone who didn’t shoot when he could have, well that’s obviously not a problem with him. If you ever saw Frank Lampard play, he never saw a possible shot he didn’t think he could make and I suspect he has passed along that same attitude to Wright. As for disappointments, I was hoping to see more from Tessman who hardly made a mark that I could see. As for Sands, I really don’t think you should write off a player who plays for the first time in a couple of years and then has a couple of poor plays. Given the time situation, though, I don’t know if there is time to give him another chance. I must admit that Roldan has improved a lot more than I expected. Besides his 2 assists, he generally made a real pest of himself against the Aussies and didn’t miss by much on a shot. Finally, the Aussie goal was really disappointing. It was reminiscent of some goals the U-20’s gave up when the other team scored without really attacking. 3 guys around the scorer and nobody closed on him. You just shouldn’t get beat like that on a throw in.
“I mentioned Wright as an example in the previous game as someone who didn’t shoot when he could have, well that’s obviously not a problem with him. If you ever saw Frank Lampard play, he never saw a possible shot he didn’t think he could make and I suspect he has passed along that same attitude to Wright.”
Gary,
Haji was on his scoring tear long before Frank got there.
Credit to Frank for having the good sense to leave Haji alone and not spill the milk on the goose that lays the golden eggs.
Haji is doing more for Frank’s decidely mixed managerial reputation than vice versa. With any luck Haji will be the horse on whose back Coventry will ride on the way to promotion.
” As for Sands, I really don’t think you should write off a player who plays for the first time in a couple of years and then has a couple of poor plays. ”
Why not? That is a great reason to write him off especially considering how late in the game it is . Is there some reason why Sands deserves more consideration than other players?
Do you think in the remaining 2-5 games Sands is going to suddenly make us forget Geoff Cameron and show us his best World Cup form? Before this game I thought the only reason to call him in was because some people were terrified that Ream might actually play in the World Cup. For them every rock needs to be turned over.
Sands is probably better than he showed but I don’t think he has enough time and opportunity to prove it before the decision needs to be made. He had his chance. He needed to strike fear into the hearts of the Ozzies and he failed to do so.
The assessment of Weah is inaccurate and way off. Quietly solid does not mean he struggled. In Pochettino’s 3-4-2-1 formation, Weah’s best position is RWB. His competition is Dest and Freeman. Weah offers more, both offensively and defensively, than either of the other two.
100% agree. I thought Weah showed well in his role during this window.
so this is nice to say Papi…I agree with you and think he is a player who plays much better when he feels the love. CP is the same imo, others too, it’s not abnormal
Playing WB, Weah just isn’t going to get as many touches in dangerous spots as he normally would so maybe people think he had a down week. Kind of story of Tim’s career, putting team needs above his own favored position.
Sorry, I still don’t see how you can put Weah on the losers list for a few reasons.
1. His touch in tight spaces is much improved since the days of him just blazing down the wing at light speed. His time in Europe playing wingback has helped.
2. If we’re changing to a back 3 for good, 1 or 2 “starters” are gonna be sacrificed. I see this change for him as Poch trying to get his best players on the field together.
Additionally, with the improvement of Tillman and the introduction of Luna, you have 2 guys that can play the 10 in tight spaces (where we thought we’d be seeing Gio) so again, the formation dictates someone is getting left out.
3. Both Dest and Jedi have had serious injuries to overcome, if either can’t go at least now Weah has time at both those spots. I personally would select Weah over Freeman or Arfsten if the WC started tomorrow.
4. I don’t think he played bad, when he gets out in space to counter he can make things happen.
I don’t see him being on the losers list, I don’t necessarily see him on the winners list but he shouldn’t be on the losers list.
I’d say the losrs list would be the guys like CCV that didn’t play, Sands, possibly Morris, because Adams wasn’t in camp and I still don’t see Sands or Morris as a better option than Musah
I agree with the Weah assessment as well. It’s as if they forgot he wasn’t playing as forward as a winger or forward. Of course wingbacks have the green light to go forward as well, but they still have more defensive responsibilities compared to being a winger/forward. It was a rather quiet series of games for him, but he didn’t put a wrong foot forward too much. Robinson is like that as well when he’s in. He focuses mostly on his defense and goes forward when he can. I’d like to see a game with Robinson and Weah both as wingbacks to see how it works out. We know what Dest has going forward and he is a cut above Weah in terms of offensive push, but Weah looks to have the defensive aspect down a little more than Dest. Can’t hurt to have a healthy rotation group to select from.
Musah and Weah, some very talented players man. we’ll see
Timo has had a lot to live up to given who his dad was.
And he is never going to come close to his dad’s legacy.
But what he is now is an extremely savvy, intelligent player who has been making the most of what he has got under consistently tough competition.
I take him just because of his utility
If you were going to roster anyone just for their character he’d be the one.
One more needs to be added to the winner’s list: Pochettino. We’re now starting to see his plans and vision begin to take hold, and the tactics he wants to emphasize. Right now he has the team going upward.
The biggest losers are Carter-Vicers and Agyemang. I sense both right now are on the outside looking in. Agyemang has the better chance to raise his profile if he performs well at Stoke.
I would say McKennie’s stock rose also. I think Freeman’s stock went down. He had a pretty tough game IMO.
He was better off the bench vs Ecuador. Think his stock held fairly steady. Not bad enough that Reynolds or somebody else on the frontier are called in.
I agree Freeman didn’t show that well, but does he make the 26? Or does Scally get one last shot? With Timo as an option if both Dest and Jedi are 100% does he bring 2 other wingbanks on each side PLUS Weah?
Freeman makes it if Poch goes with 9 defenders. But I think Freeman is on a good trajectory for the next couple of cycles if he doesn’t make this WC. Weah’s versatility makes it so Poch can bolster the attack. Especially if Reyna can maintain health. Hopefully he doesn’t do a Greg Berhalter and takes 4 RB’s.
8 defenders, 8 middies, 7 attackers, and 3 GK. This provides the best balance for a 26 man roster. But iI could see him taking 9 defenders now that we are using a 3 man backline.
agreed PN
and folks may say no or think I’m off, but Aaronson, he got a sliver of a crack to do anything at all, and he did. I hope he gets another callus, role off the bench could be the ticket for him on this team
The “biggest” winner was BA.
This is the best I’ve seen BA since he moved to Leeds. He seems to have rediscovered some of his old “power”. He was at least as effective if not more effective than Diego.than Luna.
I still don’t much rate BA but good for him. If he keeps it up he might knock Luna off of the WC team.