GOAL looks at five key players who need a January move to secure a potential spot on the USMNT's 2026 World Cup roster
Mauricio Pochettino has made it clear from day one on the job: the U.S. men's national team is looking to climb to their highest peak yet, with a clear focus on 2026 FIFA World Cup, to be played in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
"We need to believe in big things," Pochettino said when introduced as the USMNT coach last September. "We need to believe that we can not just win one game, but the World Cup."
To do that, though, the players representing the crest need to elevate their respective games, both in national team camps and matches and at the club level. The perfect example is Christian Pulisic opting to move from Chelsea to AC Milan in 2023, where he has flourished in Serie A. Others, such as Mark McKenzie, have made moves over the past year to seek a higher level of footballing competition, while growing into new roles on the pitch.
However, a core group of USMNT players appears to be stagnating. Despite their undeniable talent, some aren’t playing regularly with their European clubs, others are performing below their potential, and a few simply don’t fit well in their current surroundings.
Goalkeeper Matt Turner, midfielders Gio Reyna and Johnny Cardoso, defender Kristoffer Lund, and promising forward Diego Luna could all play massive roles with the U.S. on the road to 2026, but their current club situations are limiting them.
GOAL takes a look at several USMNT players who could use a move to improve their club circumstances, and as a result, better secure their chances of a ticket to the 2026 World Cup.
IMAGNDiego Luna, Real Salt Lake
Why he needs to move: Luna, winner of MLS' Young Player of the Year award in 2024, is being touted as the next breakout star in the USMNT pool. At 21-years-old, he led Real Salt Lake to the postseason in 2024 with eight goals and 12 assists. However, he's done virtually everything he can with the Western Conference side to elevate their attack and take them to new heights. He's at the age now where he needs to decide on when, not if, he should go to Europe – and this January feels like the perfect time for him to make the next step in his young career.
The impact he could make: With the USMNT, Luna could provide some much-needed creativity to the wings and in the attacking midfield from a depth perspective. On the left side of the pitch, there's no true backup for Christian Pulisic at the moment, as Haji Wright features as more of a striker rather than a winger, and Kevin Paredes has been out injured since August. Luna could make that spot his while pushing the likes of Malik Tillman, Gio Reyna, and Brenden Aaronson for a role at the No. 10 spot. What makes Luna special, is he has no fear when pushing forward. He's not afraid to try something different while implementing creativity into his game as he progresses towards the box.
The ideal transfer: Already catching the eye of Leeds United in the English Championship, Luna should continue to attract interest as long as he builds on last season. Considering Luna's style of play, it feels as though the ideal landing spot would be in Serie A — where skill moves, tidy dribbling, and hold-up play are coveted skills. Luna would fit brilliantly at a club like Fiorentina or Bologna, who are emerging contenders for top-six spots in the domestic league over the past season. Elsewhere, the likes of La Liga or Ligue 1 could be beneficial for his growth. He will be one to watch this season for a potential move.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesMatt Turner, Nottingham Forest/Crystal Palace
Why he needs to move: Simply put, Matt Turner needs to play, and the only way to do that is canceling his loan at Crystal Palace from Nottingham Forest right now. The goalkeeper has played just two matches in 2024-25, and that's not enough as a national team goalkeeper. He cannot wait until summer – Turner needs to be adamant that a move needs to happen now.
The impact he could make: Turner has the potential to lead the USMNT for a second-straight FIFA World Cup in 2026 if he can retain his starting spot in the transition from Gregg Berhalter to Pochettino. However, others are closing in, like Columbus Crew goalkeeper Patrick Schulte. Turner has shown his shot-stopping ability on the international stage, as well as his quality from a leadership perspective. He risks losing his spot, though, if he doesn't play — which would ultimately sacrifice all of the work he has put in since the Qatar World Cup.
The ideal transfer: Turner could likely get minutes in the English Championship, but it's become rather apparent through his choices of teams that he does not want to sacrifice Premier League football at the moment. If he were to stay in England's first division, Leicester City could be a potential fit. They have struggled to pick a starting goalkeeper all season, changing between Danny Ward, Jakub Stolarczyk, and Mads Hermansen – who has been sidelined with injury issues of late. However, an ideal move could be looking toward one of Europe's other top leagues. Exploring a move to the Bundesliga, for example, would still give him the top-level minutes he wants. It is imperative Turner finds a place where he can play regularly.
Getty Images SportGio Reyna, Borussia Dortmund
Why he needs to move: Reyna has yet to become a regular at Borussia Dortmund under manager Nuri Sahin, despite being sidelined for a handful of matches due to injury this season. However, in the moments he's been given opportunities – he has made the most of them. Since his return from injury at the end of November, he's started two matches across all competitions, scoring in one of those starts. He also scored a stunner in Dortmund's 4-2 loss to Holstein Kiel. He's taken advantage of the opportunity, yet hasn't been rewarded by Sahin. It's been a tumultous two years for Reyna, who also failed to secure playing time at an ill-advised loan to Nottingham Forest last season. He needs to find a club and a manager who will reward him when he plays well. It is crucial for his career, and the USMNT, as he looks to fulfill his potential ahead of 2026.
The impact he could make: As a result of his inconsistent minutes and injuries, Reyna's time with USMNT has been limited under Pochettino. However, at the 2024 CONCACAF Nations League finals, Reyna earned the Golden Ball – showcasing his best qualities on the international stage. The quality is there, he just needs more opportunities to show it.
The ideal transfer: Reyna has already proven he can excel in the Bundesliga, so finding a way to stay in Germany feels like the ideal transfer. A permanent move abroad feels like a potential stretch this window, but if Reyna could secure a move to a top-half Bundesliga side, it could lead to further success. However, suitors abroad have also emerged — with recent links to Serie A side AC Milan, where fellow U.S. internationals Christian Pulisic and Yunus Musah ply their trade, surfacing.
GettyJohnny Cardoso, Real Betis
Why he needs to move: Cardoso needs to move simply because he has outgrown Real Betis – he is better than the level he is playing at, and is ready for the next step of his career. He is one of the brightest up-and-coming midfielders in La Liga, impressing against some of Spain's elite teams like Real Madrid and Barcelona over the past year. Now, he needs to move on to see how high he can truly climb.
The impact he could make: With the USMNT, Cardoso could still find himself in Pochettino's XI come 2026. Tyler Adams had yet to have a full season healthy since the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and the U.S. has no true heir to the CDM position besides Cardoso. As a result of Adams' injury issues, Cardoso could move ahead of him in the pecking order. What Cardoso brings to the pitch, too, is a sense of creativity from a deep-lying position, while Adams more focuses on athleticism, tackles, and pressing. He's an entirely different profile from the Bournemouth star, which could provide a new option for the U.S. over the next 18 months.
The ideal transfer: Heavily linked with a move to Tottenham this January, the Premier League side reportedly have an agreement with Betis in place over first right of refusal over a transfer. With Spurs, he would be the ideal defensive midfielder for the club, slotting in the middle of the pitch beneath Dominic Solanke and club superstar Son Heung-min transitioning the ball forward paired with the likes of Pape Matar Sarr and Yves Bissouma.
