Photo: Sasha Wagner

The US men have officially advanced out of the Gold Cup group stage, and will face Costa Rica in the quarter-finals Sunday June 29^th at 7 pm on FOX.

Rebounding from losses to Turkey and Switzerland in preliminary friendlies, the US swept group-play. Mauricio Pochettino’s “B squad” toppled Trinidad and Tobago, Saudi Arabia and Haiti, scoring eight goals and conceding one over the three group matches.

Sure, not necessarily the pinnacle of world soccer competition. But the USMNT have taken care of business admirably in the face of some pressure from the media and fans, alike, heading into the last competitive matches prior to the 2026 World Cup.

Several players impressed so far. Among those, Malik Tillman (PSV Eindhoven) and Chris Richards (Crystal Palace), have likely earned themselves starting spots with the full USMNT going forward.

As previously mentioned on Phillysoccerpage, the UMSNT Gold Cup roster is also littered with names of Unions past and present:

• Matt Freese
• Jack McGlynn
• Brenden Aaronson
• Paxten Aaronson
• Brian White
• Quinn Sullivan
• Nathan Harriel

All seven players have logged varying levels of minutes throughout the friendlies and group matches. And one year out from a World Cup, two of those ex-Union names have arguably improved their standing when it comes to Mauricio Pochettino’s first-choice eleven.

Those two?

With injuries to Zack Steffen and Patrick Schulte, Matt Freese’s minutes in the Turkey friendly seemingly secured him the starting job in this tournament. Largely untested, Matt Freese has only been forced into action on occasion in the group stage.

Of the players listed, Freese is the only player to have started all three group stage games. With long-time US number one GK, Matt Turner, also on the roster, Freese’s starting role is telling.

Outside of one slip-up in possession leading to a goal vs. Haiti, the NYCFC keeper has been reliable. His composure on the ball and his distribution are markedly better than what Matt Turner has shown.

That composure and ability to retain possession has likely elevated his standing in the eyes of Pochettino.

Freese’s former teammate, Houston Dynamo’s Jack McGlynn, is another player who has likely solidified himself as a bona fide role player for Pochettino.

While with the Union, McGlynn was utilized as an eight in Jim Curtin’s diamond midfield. In Houston, McGlynn has been moved out to the right midfield spot in a 4-2-3-1 – a position he is also playing in Pochettino’s side.

From the right, McGlynn has been dangerous cutting inside on his favored left foot. One of these ventures inside included a cracker of a goal in the Turkey friendly just minutes into the match – his second international goal.

Jack has also translated his chance creation from MLS to the international level. His six big chances created in the Gold Cup group stage lead the team. His passing, per usual, has been a treat to watch.

McGlynn provides a unique skillset relative to other players in the US pool – the vision and attacking IQ to break down a low block. He also provides some positional versatility, being able to play centrally or down the right or left.

These qualities make him an invaluable roster inclusion in competition play.

Pochettino seems to like what Jack provides in possession. The Argentinian’s continued usage of McGlynn as a starter seems to confirm that, as the Dynamo man is making a strong case for himself as a role player at an important time.

The others

Quinn Sullivan got his first minutes of the tournament in the final group match vs. Haiti. He came into the starting lineup for McGlynn, who Pochettino was likely resting prior to the knockout round.

That said, Sullivan and McGlynn have totally different skillsets and provide totally different dynamics. It is possible Pochettino was playing the matchups down the right side or was rotating his top lineup to get players some rest.

Sullivan created two chances in his seventy minutes of run, and naturally, was heavily involved in the press off the ball. Sullivan is an interesting bubble player that can make an impact at the drop of a hat down the wing. He provides speed and service, and may have opportunity to make a bigger impression in the knockout round as an impact substitute.

The brothers Aaronson have both seen limited opportunites for Pochettino in the tournament.

Brenden Aaronson logged minutes in all three group matches, but earned his only start after the US had already definitively qualified for the knockout stage. In his start vs. Haiti, he logged an assist on Malik Tillman’s opener.

Brenden, who has previously been a regular contributor the USMNT, is coming off a career-high nine goals in a Premier League-qualifying campaign for Leeds.

Paxten Aaronson has seen only a nine total minutes across two appearances. The younger Aaronson is coming off a six goal in twenty-eight appearance season on loan with Utrecht in the Eredivisie. It is safe to say he hasn’t earned himself an impact role so far, but has had limited opportunity to do so.

MLS Golden Boot candidate, Vancouver’s Brian White, has yet to unseat Patrick Agyemang as Pochettino’s first-choice number nine. White has struggled to make an impact with the national team in the limited minutes hes’s been given this go-around.

The Flemington, NJ native has only seen eight total minutes across the three group games. Barring injury or dips in form to those stacked ahead of him, it appears his ability to make an impression on Pochettino prior to the World Cup is unlikely to come to fruition.

To round out the names on the list, Nathan Harriel has not seen a single group-stage minute. Harriel started the Switzerland friendly and had his fair share of struggles against a very experienced side. Unless Harriel plays the hero in the knockout stage, it is likely he has played his way out of favor with Pochettino.

Yet, remember, there is still time for each of these players to alter their standing – both positively and negatively. So much can change between today and the World Cup.