The U.S. men’s national team ended its 2025 schedule in empathic fashion.
Sebastian Berhalter opened the scoring, Alex Freeman added a brace, and Diego Luna and Tanner Tessmann both added insurance goals as Mauricio Pochettino’s squad routed Uruguay 5-1 in Tampa, Florida on Tuesday night. The result was the USMNT’s 11th victory of the year in all competitions, which also extended their current unbeaten run to five matches.
Berhalter gave the USMNT a 1-0 lead after 17 minutes, delivering his first international goal in style. Berhalter laid off a pass to John Tolkin on a free kick from the left flank before a return pass from Tolkin was stroked off the right post by the Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder.
Three minutes after taking the lead, the USMNT would double their advantage on a set-piece once again. Berhalter’s corner kick was headed home by Freeman, who celebrated his first senior goal for the program.
Things got even better for the USMNT as Freeman scored his second goal of the half after a quick counter attack. Timothy Tillman won possession on a crunching tackle in Uruguay’s half before watching Auston Trusty play Freeman into the box.
The Orlando City defender’s shot deflected into the back of the net, making it 3-0 to the hosts.
Luna added his name to the scoresheet in the 42nd minute, slotting home a cutback pass from Tillman into the bottom-left corner. It marked Luna’s eighth goal contribution of the year (four goals, four assists), breaking a tie with Malik Tillman for the most in the USMNT squad.
Uruguay ended the USMNT’s shutout hopes in first-half stoppage time as Giorgian de Arrascaeta delivered an overhead kick into the bottom corner. A defensive breakdown from Auston Trusty and Mark McKenzie allowed Uruguay to gain possession in the final third before a cross from the right flank found de Arrascaeta for an acrobatic finish.
Uruguay’s slim comeback hopes ended in the 64th minute as midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur saw a straight red card for a rough tackle on Berhalter.
Tanner Tessmann became the latest to score his first USMNT goal, guiding Gio Reyna’s dangerous cross past Fiermarin for a 5-1 scoreline. It marked Reyna’s second goal contribution of the window.
Defender Mark McKenzie wore the captain’s armband for the first time in his USMNT career while goalkeeper Matt Freese did not need to make a single save. Brenden Aaronson, Folarin Balogun, and Cristian Roldan also earned minutes off of the bench.
The USMNT’s next international window will take place in March 2026, three months before the FIFA World Cup kicks off.
CBs: Richards, Ream, MRob, McKenzie. Trusty, Freeman, Scally, CCV
WBs: Dest, Jedi, Arfsten, Weah, Tolkin
DMs: Adams, Tessmann, Roldan, Morris, Berhalter, Johnny, Sands
AMs: Pulisic, McKennie, Reyna, Aaronson, Luna, MTillman, Zendajas, Musah
CF: Balo, Wright, Pepi, Agyemang,
That’s 32 for 23 spots, I’m probably forgetting someone as well.
Its a 26 man roater.
I only listed field players, you have to have 3 GKs. That feels like Freese and 2 others.
GK: Freese, Turner, Celentano, Schulte, Klinsmann, Kochen, Brady. I didn’t list them originally because I don’t think many care beyond Freese and Turner.
I think the biggest fight for a spots will be between Luna, Zendejas, and Aaronson.
You could also throw Banks in there.
Tillman and Pulisic are locks. Reyna and Luna in driver seats. Zendejas will probably get another shot in March.
If Pepi gets back to form the three strikers are pretty much set. But Agyemang is still in play.
Adams, Tessman, Roldan, Mckennie are locks. Berhalter, Johnny, Morris, Scally fighting for two spots.
Freeman, Richards, Ream locks. All the rest are fighting for maybe two spots.
Weah, Dest, Arfsten locks. Jedi getting healthy and playing will make him a lock.
I meant Sands not Scally. And if Musah starts playing that will.make things interesting.
Also hard to see CCV actually returning.
Do we think Bielsa will be the manager by Wednesday afternoon?
Panama, Curacao, and Haiti your qualifiers! Who had that parlay three months ago. Haiti’s second qualification (1974) and Curcao’s first. Costa Rica and Honduras are out. Jamaica and Suriname face off against either Bolivia or New Caledonia with a final matchup against DR Congo or Iraq.
Wow. Didn’t see that coming.
As the 2025 window closes…..I think we are all in agreement that Pochettino was the right choice by the USSF to coach this team for the World Cup.
– The system he is deploying has this team playing very attractive soccer, The tactics emphasize precision player and ball movement from everyone, and it is working well.
– The team plays a very effective press to win back possession
– He has made the right choices for his roster selections. He opened the door for a lot of players, including a few lesser known MLS players, and many of those have delivered strong performances.
– He backs up his statement that playing time is earned. Notable players like Musah (who took the summer off) and Cardoso have been left out.
It will be interesting over the winter months to see the effect Pochettino’s efforts have on these players in their club seasons. I’m sure the message being taken home is to make an impression and get noticed at your clubs in order to stay in the running to warrant a selection in March of 2025.
“Notable players like Musah (who took the summer off) ”
Musah did not lose his place because he took the summer off.
He lost his place because he’s been playing like crap for some time now. He’s also unlucky enough to be playing a role where a lot of really good talent has just emerged.
CP took the Gold Cup off but unlike Musah, he has remained ridiculously productive.
Freese is at best, mildly lame but his competition has been even worse.
Never discount the importance of luck.
Great performance.
Mexico losing 1-0 to Paraguay.
What a performance. Good job lads. Freeman is a lock at RCB. His ability to defend and attack as well as break through the lines with a quality pass or dribbling is great to see. And his Athleticism is extremely needed. His camp will be recieving many calls.
I think it’s too early to say he’s a lock to start there, but he can play 2 spots, which probably locks him into the 26.
And probably sends Scally out of the picture
He is a lock as long as he stays injury free. Elite Athlete who chose soccer. We will be seeing more of that in the coming years.
So you think the starting backline will be Freeman Richards Ream?
That was fun to watch.