The U.S. men’s national team’s final international window of 2025 is in the books.
From Gio Reyna’s impactful return to action to Alex Freeman’s stellar showing against Uruguay, there was plenty to be excited about heading into 2026. Max Arfsten shined against Paraguay while Sebastian Berhalter also impressed in his lone start of the window.
However, a few players disappointed in their opportunities over the past two matches, failing to boost their stocks with only one international window left to go.
Here is a closer look at the USMNT’s winners and losers from the November window:
Winners
Gio Reyna
Gio Reyna needed a window like he had in November.
Reyna scored one goal and registered one assist over his two appearances against Paraguay and Uruguay. The Borussia Moenchengladbach midfielder was Man of the Match on Saturday at Subaru Park, scoring the USMNT’s opening goal before also having a hand in the eventual winning tally.
He came off the bench on Tuesday and delivered an outstanding cross for Tanner Tessmann to head home in the second half of a 5-1 victory over Uruguay.
Reyna will hope this now leads to more playing time in Germany, knowing he only has one USMNT window left before the World Cup is chosen.
Alex Freeman
The No. 2 right back spot is starting to take shape.
Alex Freeman scored his first two senior goals on Tuesday against Uruguay, while delivering a strong 90-minute performance. The Orlando City defender also logged 23 minutes off of the bench against Paraguay, standing up for himself in a skirmish with defender Gustavo Gomez.
Sergino Dest, Freeman, and Joe Scally will all be competing for to be on Pochettino’s final roster, and right now Freeman may have a slight edge over Scally.
Sebastian Berhalter
November was also a good window for Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Sebastian Berhalter.
Berhalter delivered his first senior goal in style, setting the tone in Tuesday’s lopsided win over Uruguay. The 24-year-old ripped a right foot shot in at the far post, kickstarting a memorable night for him and his USMNT teammates.
He also delivered a sensational corner kick for Alex Freeman’s first goal, while also creating three chances and drawing two fouls.
100 minutes under his belt have certainly boosted Berhalter’s chances of staying in the midfield pecking order come March.
Max Arfsten
It was a November to remember for Max Arfsten.
Arfsten logged 105 minutes over the past two matches, assisting once in Saturday’s win over Paraguay. The Columbus Crew defender also won 11 duels in that match and completed four dribbles.
He made a 15-minute cameo on Tuesday, taking his yearly USMNT appearance total up to 16.
Arfsten’s MLS season is now over, but the thriving full back remains a possible option for several European clubs in January.
Folarin Balogun
If the FIFA World Cup started tomorrow, Folarin Balogun would be the USMNT’s starting No. 9.
Balogun scored his third international goal of the year in Saturday’s triumph over Paraguay. Despite not seeing much of the ball that night, the Monaco forward made his opportunity count with a clinical finish.
He made a 30-minute cameo on Tuesday, taking the place of starter Haji Wright. Although he didn’t find the back of the net, Balogun provided positive work in a comfortable victory.
If Balogun can stay healthy from now until March, he should remain Pochettino’s No. 1 option for those two friendlies.
Losers
Ricardo Pepi
15 minutes and one major scoring chance missed won’t bode well with Ricardo Pepi.
Pepi made a small cameo in Saturday’s match, failing to take his opportunity to truly ice the victory. The PSV forward has remained a bench option this season in the Netherlands and that looks to be carrying over to the USMNT.
With Folarin Balogun adding to his goal tally this window, Pepi will need to start delivering at club level over the next four months.
Haji Wright
Haji Wright failed to deliver in his lone appearance of the November window too.
Wright played 60 minutes from the start against Uruguay, but did not record a single shot. The Coventry City forward also lost five duels in the match before eventually being replaced by Balogun at the hour mark.
Right now, the No. 9 role is Balogun’s to lose unless Wright bounces back by March.
Brenden Aaronson
It was a window to forget for Brenden Aaronson.
Aaronson logged 95 minutes over the two matches, but struggled to have much of an impact in either appearance. The Leeds United attacker lost the most duels (8) in Saturday’s win over Paraguay before losing another five in Tuesday’s cameo against Uruguay.
Aaronson’s work rate makes him an important player, however, it’s hard to see Pochettino continue to provide him with chances if the goal contributions don’t start coming.
Who did you think impressed during the November window? Who disappointed in your eyes? Do you see any of the losers potentially dropping out of the squad come March?
Share your thoughts below.
– The biggest winner this cycle is Pochettino. He has been bold with his roster selections, and has impressed with his commitment to instilling a positive culture and mindset with this team. He now has a very good problem to solve – putting the right pieces into place for the March window.
– I think the pool of strikers didn’t move up or down this cycle. Balogun is still #1. Wright started game #2, but didn’t really move the needle up or down in that game. Pepi needs to go back and produce like he has done previously before his injury.
– I rated Aaronson as neutral, with the needle staying where it was before this cycle. His frame makes it easier for defenders to knock him off the ball, but he provides other tangibles when he is on the field that makes him a valuable addition.
– It may be close to time to consider Dest is a flex role, as more of a hybrid midfielder. Freeman has shown he can provide defensive cover, giving Dest the freedom to attack. The positions are starting to seem more fluid with Pochettino’s system.
– With Freeman’s emergence, it also may be time to think of Weah in a flex role as a winger. There is a good opportunity for him in that attacking position.
– Earlier this year there was concern about the depth of the CB pool. It appears we may now have a deeper group competing for those spots.
– I’d add Tessman to the list of players whose stock rose this cycle.
Couple other winners:
Trusty – I have seen very little of him but was impressed last night, I knew he was a big body tough defender, gives us another threat on set pieces, but he was more technical than I expected, combined well, sent Freeman through for his second. A CB to another CB for a score in the run of play, wow.
Tessman – Was great at breaking up attacks, just sticking a foot in there at the right time, combines, has vision and technique to hit long diagonals or over the top
Losers – Scally was very much a weak link against Paraguay, as some others have said. With the rise of Freeman and M Robinson/McKenzie at RCB I think Scally is done for this cycle. Definitely not good enough offensively to push Dest/Weah/Freeman out of RWB.
I don’t think Haji Wright’s stock went down at all.
I thought Wright showed really well as a target and was an option in the build up. Also, was active in the air in set pieces and almost get his head Berhalters shot and score. However, no shots is not good. Especially considering he received some decent service and had one on one with defenders and either got taken off the ball or lost the ball with a poor pass. I think Balogun and Pepi would have done better
Austin Trusty is a winner in this cycle. He played poised, in control, pretty good distribution, and defended well. He is a wildcard with his potential development Needs to stay healthy and keep getting minutes at club level. Trusty potentially is a difference maker with this team if he can blossom into an international level defender and being left foot helps immensely.
Also, Freeman’s ability to play CB as a third defender from the back. Being long, rangy, ability to run and take up space going forward is an asset
One thing I wonder if we might end up seeing is a starting back three of Jedi, Richards, and Freeman, with Arfsten and Dest starting at the wingback positions.
The assumption has been Jedi’s our starting left wingback and that’s possible, but Arfsten’s been shockingly good and Tolkin had a pretty decent camp himself, and Jedi definitely has the size and physique and defensive chops to play CB, especially in a system like Poch’s where the left and right CB’s have freedom to take space if they see it. It would also save Jedi’s knee from having to run up and down the field for miles every game, which could well still be an issue come June.
That’d also give you the roster spot to bring Weah as a wingback – giving you Arfsten, Tolkin, Dest, and Weah at the WB spots – and a six-man CB group of Richards, Jedi, Ream, Freeman, and Miles Robinson, and then either Trusty or McKenzie as the final CB. (Right now I’d lean in the direction of Trusty, if he’s healthy.) That group would definitely keep me from completely shuddering and wincing were something to happen to Richards or Ream.
the only issue with that idea is that Jedi doesn’t get forward then. maybe, but I don’t get it for that reason. More possible to see them share minutes throughout the group seems to me instead of running one into the ground because, with the new depth, we don;t have to. we’ll see
(1) the last time jedi played a NT game was 11/24.
(2) the last time jedi played league was 9/25.
(3) jedi has 61′ total league this season.
right now, LB “is” arfsten’s. if jedi gets well he has to show he can run and play, and win the job back.
it’s weird people acting like it’s jedi’s job to lose. we just did a full year without him. it’s more like adams or reyna. get well we’ll take a look. to be fair, if he’s himself, he likely gets a slot someplace.
i mean, i could see arfsten RW jedi LW freeman RCB. but only if jedi is healthy and playing like himself. which when you haven’t played for us in a year, 2 aborted windows, is a decent size “if.”
i like weah and the eurosnobs expect him but his last goal contribution in our shirt was last summer in the same copa america he blew up with his red card off ball tantrum. which was the old coach.
At the end of last season, Jedi was considered the best LB in the Premier league by the British press. In a lot of ways, that makes him the best player in our pool on a position comparative basis. Most of the top 10 countries have a wing player on par with Pulisic, most wish they had Jedi.
Assuming he comes back healthy, you put him in his best position and move every one else around.
We as a fanbase also need to remember that in the rounds that we want to win, we will be the underdog. Offense first, defense second players will be liabilities.
Pochettino was pissed on the Press conference when people talked about the success of the team WITHOUT REGULAR PLAYERS. Bruh…….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aT6SAVBOhh8
He defended his team and selections…….and was clearly upset with the journalists that thought they knew more than him of who should (or will) be on the field for the USMNT and said everyone should be given the credit as starters.
I love this!!!!!!
why can’t these be the ‘regular’ players? what a group
the guys with nothing to lose have played extremely well, the vibe Poch seems to have created unleashes that group, and they responded, while some of the ‘regular’ guys seem to be playing with an eye over their shoulder, something noted in the last window.
the only issue with this is: how do those players who have been unleashed with nothing to lose respond when there is, in fact, something to lose?
different vibe