Overview
- The 26-player roster was finalized and announced Tuesday with Pochettino acknowledging the team has only a few natural defensive midfielders.
- Pochettino signaled he will often field one true No. 6 and ask attacking or versatile midfielders like Malik Tillman or Weston McKennie to play a bit deeper to help in build-up and defensive cover.
- Gio Reyna made the squad and is being discussed by coaches and media as a likely impact substitute who can change games off the bench.
- Christian Pulisic enters the camp carrying a prolonged scoring drought of more than 1,100 minutes between club and country that the staff hopes he will end before the World Cup.
- Notable omissions such as Aidan Morris and Tanner Tessmann drew public reaction from players and add pressure on Pochettino to refine midfield rotations in tune-up matches against Senegal on May 31 and Germany on June 6.