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MLS has been told why retaining home-grown stars such as Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie will remain impossible in the foreseeable future, with “real football” being played in Europe. Giuseppe Rossi - who spent time in England, Italy, Spain and the United States during his playing career - has told GOAL why top American talent will continue to fly the domestic nest.

The United States has been warned that talk of the USMNT winning a home World Cup in 2026 “won’t be fair at all”, with a more realistic example of “huge success” being pointed out. Giuseppe Rossi, who qualified to represent the land of his birth but opted to play for Italy, has - while filling a role as vice-chairman and head of soccer at the New York Cosmos - given GOAL his assessment of the so-called ‘Golden Generation’.

Jay DeMerit's story is one of struggle, doggedness, and never quite giving up on his dream. And since he retired, he's tried to reinforce those ideas - in a variety of wonderfully strange ways.

GOAL looks inside the numbers, tactics and trends for key U.S. internationals in Europe this season.

Brazil and Tottenham Hotspur striker Richarlison has denied he is planning on sitting out the 2026 World Cup amid rising tensions in the Middle East. Iran has recently come under attack from the United States - one of three co-hosts for this summer's tournament - and Israel, leading to the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The build-up to the 2026 World Cup has been hit by a major geopolitical storm as United States president Donald Trump admitted he is indifferent to whether Iran participates in the upcoming tournament. Despite being the first nation to secure qualification for the showpiece event, Iran were the notable absentees from a high-profile FIFA planning meeting held in Atlanta this week. The silence from the Iranian camp has sparked intense speculation regarding their involvement in the tournament, which is set to be hosted across the United States, Mexico and Canada this summer.

It is incredibly important that the USMNT perform on home soil, but that’s far from the only major storyline heading into the 2026 World Cup.

Weston McKennie isn’t going anywhere. After months of renewed speculation, the U.S. men’s national team midfielder has signed a new four-year contract with Juventus, committing to the Serie A side through 2030. McKennie had been set to become a free agent this summer, with interest building as his form surged, but Juventus have now moved decisively to secure one of their most versatile contributors for the long term.

GOAL reviews the major takeaways from Americans playing in Europe, including some big goals from strikers

Noahkai Banks says he is "very torn" over his international future as he considers his opportunities with the U.S. men's national team and Germany. The teenage defender was in USMNT camp in the fall but did not earn a cap and remains eligible for either national team. Banks has also featured on various U.S. youth teams since 2023.

The former United States head coach Gregg Berhalter has heaped praise upon Weston McKennie after the Juventus midfielder continued his resurgence in Italy. The former Schalke player has been reborn this season and become integral to a new look Juventus side, even filling in as a makeshift centre-forward to great effect for the Old Lady at times this campaign.

U.S. Men's National Team rising star Noahkai Banks followed up an incredible run with a fantastic assist on Friday as he helped lead Augsburg to a 2-0 win over FC Koln. Banks assisted the first of the two Augsburg goals and it was the center back who did all the hard work to set up the goal.

Mauricio Pochettino has left the door open to a spectacular return to Tottenham following the 2026 World Cup. The Argentine will leave his role as USMNT boss following the showpiece event in North America this summer, and he's been linked with a switch to Spurs as a long-term replacement for Thomas Frank at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.