The road to the 2026 World Cup is paved with hope, hype, and a fair share of head-scratchers. As Mauricio Pochettino adjusts the USMNT roster, one significant question remains: is relying on the seasoned Tim Ream at center back a wise choice or a gamble that could backfire on the sport’s biggest stage? Soccer legend Landon Donovan was candid on the latest episode of Unfiltered Soccer, voicing his concerns regarding it.

Alexi Lalas also expressed his worries about the future of the USMNT’s defense on his State of the Union Podcast. While he acknowledged Tim Ream’s skills, he raised concerns about depending on him for the 2026 World Cup. “As good as Tim Ream is, and we all love him, but if you told me in 2026, we’d be looking to start Tim Ream for the USMNT, in this World Cup at home, we screwed up somewhere along the line.” He called on Pochettino to discover new center-back talent, stressing the importance of long-term planning and incorporating youth into the national team’s defense.

On the other hand, Donovan also thinks the same, “Look, I love Tim Ream,” acknowledging the defender’s undeniable talent. “If that’s still our best option at center back at 36, you know, he’s still a great player, a world-class player on his best days, but is he the one who’s really going to be our center back in the World Cup in ’26? No chance.” His bluntness highlighted a growing concern: is the USMNT sacrificing long-term development for short-term stability?

Mauricio Pochettino’s reliance on Ream may be justifiable for now, but Donovan and Howard agree it can’t be a long-term fix. The 2026 World Cup, taking place on home soil, offers a prime opportunity for the USMNT to make a significant impact, but it necessitates a defensive unit geared for the future. With players like Joe Scally, Anthony Robinson, and Sergino Dest in the mix, the development of younger center-backs must be prioritized.

While Donovan and Lalas examined the wider consequences of depending on veterans like Ream, Tim Howard provided a different viewpoint, concentrating on the coach’s current challenges and defensive play fundamentals.

Tim Howard with the bigger picture

Tim Howard echoed Donovan’s concerns, offering a nuanced take on Mauricio Pochettino’s possible mindset. Howard seems to empathize with the coach’s position, recognizing that in a transitional phase, relying on a veteran like Tim Ream offers a sense of stability. The idea of having trusted, experienced players is crucial when a coach is still learning about his squad and trying to instill a new system.

However, Howard stressed that the fundamentals of defense are gritty and straightforward discipline, especially in high-pressure scenarios like the World Cup. “In the biggest moments, when you look at the biggest, best teams, it’s not about the spectacular cross or expansive play,” Howard said. “It’s about defending the back post, tucking in on the shoulder of your center back, making it nasty and hard to beat.”

Howard suggested that the USMNT still needs to improve in this back-to-basics approach. Well, it seems Howard agrees with what Sir Alex Ferguson once said- “Attack wins you games but it’s the defense that wins you titles.” 

What do you think USMNT’s major roadblock is? Sound off in the comments below!