With the October friendlies having wrapped up, GOAL ranks the top 10 USMNT players heading out of the break.
Mauricio Pochettino's first U.S. men's national team camp has come to a close and it was an up-and-down experience. Pochettino saw every side of the USMNT this month: the good, the bad, and in that loss to Mexico, the ugly.
With camp now finished, the USMNT's top stars have headed back to their clubs, certainly eager to build on their first experience under their new national team coach. This October gathering was just an introduction. The real work is coming, and it's not all happening when the national team is gathered.
For players to continue to play under Pochettino, they'll need to thrive for their clubs. The good news for Pochettino is that many are, helping lay a foundation that he'll look to build on in November camp and beyond.
But who should Pochettino be keeping his eye on?GOAL breaks down the top 10 Americans Abroad.
Getty Images Sport10Ricardo Pepi 🌟
The PSV striker still isn't getting enough minutes, but he tends to make the most of them when he does get his opportunity.
Pepi sure made his mark on USMNT camp, scoring the second of two goals in the win over Panama. It was a heck of a finish for the ex-FC Dallas striker, which really is something he's known for at this point, isn't it?
With three goals in seven Eredivisie matches, Pepi is the master of impression in limited action. He got his first start of the season prior to the international break in Matchday 7. Can he earn more starts for Peter Bosz's side?
AdvertisementGetty9Haji Wright ↔️
Fresh off an assist against Panama during this window, Wright should head back to his club feeling pretty good.
With three goals in nine matches, Wright will look to outdo the 16 he scored last season in his Championship debut with Coventry City. What made last season so strong, though, was that he also added seven assists. He's yet to provide one this season, though.
Well, at least in the Championship. His set-up of Pepi's goal was fantastic. If he can play a pass like that every now and then for Coventry, the opportunities will continue to come his way.
Getty8Weston McKennie ⬇️
Whenever you think McKennie has hit a wall, he tends to smash his way right through it.
And that's why it's worth betting on McKennie to bounce-back even after this USMNT camp. After failing to appear against Panama, he was sent home pre-Mexico, reportedly due to a muscle issue. It's a bummer, particularly for McKennie, but he tends to handle those well, doesn't he?
We'll have to see where he is by the time November camp roles around but, if healthy, you'd bet on him being there and ready to play.
Getty Images Sport7Brenden Aaronson ⬇️
So many folks had written Aaronson off, and even his biggest believers wouldn't have expected him to start his club season so well. This latest national team camp showed his limitations, though.
Starting as an attacking midfielder, Aaronson brought his typical energy and enthusiasm. It wasn't enough. He lost the ball early and often against Mexico, struggling to cope with the intensity that El Tri brought to the game.
Aaronson still needs to add things to his game: strength, vision and decisiveness chief among them. Until he does, he's a good option off the bench to bring life to a team, but that might be it for now.
