In the world of soccer, the connection between club and country is deeply intertwined. You play well for your club, you get called up for the country; and if you perform well internationally, you get the interest of other clubs. After USMNT’s 5-2 aggregate thrashing of Jamaica in the CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinals, Mauricio Pochettino hopes a young player gets more minutes for his club. 

Tanner Tessmann was among the star players for the United States during that game. The American who represents Lyon at club level was dictating the tempo of the midfield, and the Argentine boss was pretty impressed. “Tess today was fantastic. If you say to me I need to put a note from 0-to-10, it’s 9, 8, 9, you know. He played a fantastic game.” Pochettino noted in a post-match press conference. 

“I think it was amazing in the way he was in two phases, in defensive and offensive, with the ball and without the ball. That’s what we expect,” said Pochettino, who feels that the midfielder is deserving of more game time. “He’s young, but very good talent, I hope he can play more in Lyon” added the USMNT boss. 

Tessmann has had quite a journey. Back in 2020, he almost became a professional college football player for Clemson University but instead opted to play for MLS side FC Dallas. Since then, he’s captained the Stars and Stripes in the Olympics and is slowly cementing his spot in the team’s starting XI. Having signed from Venezia in August 2024, the 23-year-old has so far made only 6 appearances for Les Gones in Ligue 1, which is only one less than the caps he has for the United States.

With the likes of Moussa Niakhaté and Duje Ćaleta-Car being the first choices for manager Pierre Sage, is it time for Tessmann to look at better options?

A summer move for Tessmann?

Tessmann became the first American to sign for Lyon, but since then, he has struggled for game time. The 23-year-old did have the opportunity to upgrade from Serie B to Serie A side Inter Milan, but the Nerazzurri and Tessmann’s representatives couldn’t come to an agreement. As of now, the young American seems to be a backup option at the Ligue 1 club. 

With the North American continent all set to host the 2026 World Cup, Tessmann will be hoping for a spot in Mauricio Pochettino’s starting 11. So perhaps a move back to Italy, where he’s well-acquainted with the playing style seems to be his best option, or even a return to the MLS, a league Pochettino acknowledges as having rising standards.

Whatever the case is, Tanner Tessmann needs to play week in and week out if he wants to be on the pitch when the Star-Spangled Banner plays in 2026. What’s your take on this? Share in the comments below.