“You can make 100 saves, but it’s that one mistake that will always haunt you”, a quote which is particularly true when you’re standing between the sticks for your team. The upcoming 2026 World Cup will be the biggest test for Mauricio Pochettino’s USMNT, but Landon Donovan highlights that the squad is far from being ready to play the tournament at home. 

USMNT’s best result came in 2002 when they reached the quarterfinals of the World Cup. Since then, the Stars and Stripes have never made it past the round of 16 and altogether failed to qualify for the tournament in 2018. Donovan, who is the joint top scorer for the country, has always been vocal about the changes needed.

Speaking at his podcast, ‘Unfiltered Soccer with Landon Donovan and Tim Howard‘, the former MLS star believes that they have very poor squad depth, especially when it comes to goalkeeping. “Goalkeeping to me is a massive concern, we don’t have anybody playing at a high level consistently right now that I would say, has absolutely just said, this is my spot,” said Donovan. 

Current no. 1 choice, Matt Turner, managed to get some playing time at Nottingham Forest last season but is yet to see any action at Crystal Palace, where he is currently on loan. Co-host Tim Howard, who is unarguably one of the best goalkeepers that USMNT has ever seen, agreed with Donovan. “A lot of our goalkeepers currently aren’t getting top minutes, I think a couple of them are getting overlooked,” Howard noted. 

And it’s not just the goalkeepers; the back line is another major concern for Pochettino. Apart from Antonee Robinson and Tim Ream, the rest of the defenders currently enlisted for USMNT all fall under the age of 25. With no international fixtures until March, the important question remains: is this enough time for Pochettino to prepare?

Nations League: A must-win for Mauricio Pochettino 

The USMNT has won three consecutive CONCACAF Nations League titles, so another addition is the bare minimum for the Argentine coach. Critics will also be expecting Pochettino’s men to make it past the cursed round of 16 during the World Cup, especially under the pressure of playing at home. One of the major concerns for players is the lack of regular playing week in and week out at club levels, which has to change soon. 

So far, Christian Pulisic, Antonee Robinson, Ricardo Pepi, and Timothy Weah have been consistent under Pochettino. All four had goal involvements in the side’s 5-2 aggregate quarterfinal victory over Jamaica in the Nations League. Spot the connection? All four are active players in Europe’s best leagues. Hopefully, by 2026, Pochettino’s squad will make the Stars and Stripes proud with thousands chanting their names.