'The next action is most important' - Filling a Tyler Adams-sized void, a pair of chances for a pair of Aaronsons and five keys for Mauricio Pochettino's USMNT vs Switzerland

Seconds into his pre-game press conference Monday, Pochettino gave the bad news: Tyler Adams is out. Foot injury. Not serious. But not available.

"I think it's not a big issue," Pochettino said. "We hope it's not a big issue. I think we can manage in a good way. He'll rest a few days and then we'll see if he's ready for the start of the Gold Cup."

Without Adams, though, the situation changes ahead of this Switzerland game. For years, we've seen that there are two versions of the USMNT: one with, and one without Adams. There's no like-for-like replacement for the USMNT's midfield bulldog, and there certainly isn't anyone with his skillset in this particular camp.

How, then, do you assemble a midfield against a top-20 world-ranked Switzerland team that put a smackdown on Mexico, 4-2, just a few days ago?

That is the biggest question Pochettino will have to answer. While it's more important to have Adams healthy in the Gold Cup then in a friendly, every repetition matters for this team in the big-picture build-up to the 2026 World Cup.

That said, it's an opportunity, in a sense, for some guys to make their mark. But it's also a challenge considering the fact that Switzerland could play a midfield with more than 250 caps between them. Is this a game for Seb Berhalter to make his debut? How important is Luca de la Torre's experience now without Adams? Can Jack McGlynn do enough defensively?

The spotlight, though, will likely fall on another midfielder, the one who suddently has biggest point to prove.

More than anyone else in the stadium on Saturday, Johnny Cardoso knew he messed up. There was no debate or discussion needed. It was a mistake, a very bad one, one that is impossible to explain away at any level. His giveaway led directly to Turkey's first goal, canceling the energy of the USMNT's quick 1-0 start.

Pochettino said it best on Monday. It's all about that next action.

Those words will particularly apply to Cardoso, who will certainly feel the weight of the world. He's long been criticized for not bringing his club form to the international level, and his mistake on Saturday only turned the spotlight brighter. Now, every touch will feel more important.

Cardoso has his critics, yes, but Tuesday is another chance to prove them wrong. He spent all season playing incredible soccer with Real Betis, going toe-to-toe with the world's best. Those performances, like his mistake, are in the past. How will he respond?

After fielding a series of questions about the USMNT's performance against Turkey, the USMNT manager had to field one about himself. Those Spurs rumors had popped up, as they so often have since his departure. Was there any truth to the fact he was interested in succeeding Ange Postecoglou?

"Since I left in 2019, for the position of the manager or the head coach, my name has been appearing on every list!" he said on Saturday. "If you are seeing the rumors I’ve seen, there are 100 coaches on their list! Don't be worried about that. If something happened, you will see, but we cannot talk about this type of thing.

"Today it's not realistic. Look at where I am, where we are, and I think the answer is so clear."

Pochettino remains committed to the USMNT, and he remains committed to this all-important summer of succer in the U.S. It's a vital one for him as he looks to set a tone. This isn't about tactics or even really about results; it's about correcting all of the wrongs that were very apparent during the Nations League.

"This attitude is what I want to continue to have in the future until we arrive to the World Cup," Pochettino said after the Turkey game, having repeatedly praised his side's mentality despite the defeat. "That is the only way that we can improve. If I decide in September to have a different roster, what I want is the same level of commitment, of attitude, between this and that squad, outside and inside."

Tuesday is another chance to showcase that. He'll rotate, no doubt, but the expectation will remain the same. He'll hope that this will be another building block, regardless of the result, heading into a big summer.

There's been a phenomenon at USMNT training this week: everyone's seeing double. There are two Aaronsons running around - brothers Brenden and Paxten - and it's impossible not to notice, particularly in the moments where they crash into one another.

"Their movements, their mannerisms, the way they talk - they're two of the same," Walker Zimmerman said. "There's no question they're brothers. It's fun to watch them, even in training, as they're squaring up against each other. Sometimes, you can see that there's a little extra brotherly pride on the line when they go into duels."

Neither Brenden nor Paxten Aaronson featured in the loss to Turkey, which leaves them very available for this Switzerland game. Common sense would suggest that, if healthy, both get a look in this match - and perhaps there's a chance they get a look together. They're only the 10th set of brothers to have earned USMNT caps and, if they do feature together, they'd be the first to appear in an official game together since 1957.

For all of their similarities, they are different players. Brenden can play either as an attacking midfielder or winger, and after his season with Leeds, he remains eager to prove he can impact the game on the attacking end. Paxten, meanwhile, can play those spots, too, but, during this breakout season with Utrecht, featured a lot as a central midfielder, too.

"For me, my best position is box-to-box," Paxten said. "That's where I feel most comfortable, especially after the season I had in that deeper position. If you asked me two years ago, I probably would have said a little higher up. I think in the last year, I've played every position. In the Olympics, I played striker and left wing, then six with Utrecht, then eight and also 10. It's good to have versatility, but I've spoken with the coaching staff and let them know that my favorite position, the one I think I'm best at, is the eight."

There is a scenario, then, where the younger brother plays just behind the older brother - and it could happen this week.

Since arriving in Nashville in 2020, Walker Zimmerman has been the MLS team's rock. He's their captain, their leader and, in every way, one of MLS' top defenders. He has also been one of the USMNT's top defenders. A s he looks to take the field for his country in his club's stadium, Zimmerman is out to prove that again.

"It'll be a big one," he said on Monday. "It'll be important on all fronts for me as an individual and for our team as a collective. I'm always looking forward to playing, especially when you can do it at home."

The center-back race is a tight one, one loaded with experience. While the other position battles in the squad are largely veterans looking to hold off rising stars, central defense is a position loaded with experience.

Chris Richards just won an FA Cup. Miles Robinson has started in MLS for years, while Mark McKenzie did that, too, before proving himself in Belgium and France. Tim Ream is Tim Ream. Even the guys who aren't in camp, names such as Cameron Carter-Vickers and Auston Trusty, have played in huge games, too.

It's a crowded race, and Zimmerman is right in it. The 32-year-old defender knows he'll need to have a good summer to stay in consideration. He's been in and out of the picture over the last few years, with Gregg Berhalter and his staff determining last summer that Zimmerman's leadership would make him a better fit for the Olympic team rather than the Copa America squad.

For now, after joining the squad as an injury replacement, he's currently in the senior team. Not everyone can go to the World Cup next summer but, heading towards this game and the Gold Cup after, Zimmerman has an opportunity in front of him.

"It's exactly what you need in a national team in every position," Zimmerman said. "How you get better as a team is by having a lot of guys ont he depth chart who are fighting for that spot. Center-backs are no different. There are so many guys that are capable and a lot of guys who are going to do everything they can in training and in games to get into that roster. One day at a time, one training at a time, but we're all going to compete for it."