Short-handed: With no Christian Pulisic or Weston McKennie for USMNT, who should Mauricio Pochettino start in Mexico?

Big decision here, especially considering the atmosphere. If you were going to start Patrick Schulte in one of these games, the Panama one probably would have made more sense, as tossing him into the fire in Mexico is a big ask.

Maybe that's what Pochettino wants: to see what Schulte can do in a hostile stadium. Or perhaps he just wants to use this camp to evaluate the incumbent, Turner. We'll lean towards the latter, as Turner is given another chance to prove himself before heading back to backup duties at Crystal Palace.

This is an easy one. If Robinson is fit, he'll start. if he isn't, Kristoffer Lund will. When healthy, Robinson will start just about every game possible in a USMNT shirt.

He was U.S. Soccer's Man of the Match against Panama so, if he's feeling fit, he'll get another look.

The Panama game was McKenzie's best so far in a USMNT shirt, although he was solid against New Zealand last camp, too, before his own goal, which really wasn't his fault. The Toulouse defender is really pushing for a starting spot, but this will be his biggest test yet. If he passes, he'll be on his way.

Tim Ream could start again but, realistically, everyone, including Pochettino, knows who he is and where he stands. Trusty, though? That's still a bit of a mystery.

Trusty hasn't actually played for the USMNT since June 23. In the year and a half since, he went to the Premier League, played a whole season with Sheffield United and completed another move to Scottish giants Celtic. The Trusty in this camp is very different than the one that last played in 2023. Now's his chance to show it.

Pochettino unleashed a fun wrinkle against Panama, playing Scally on the right side of a back three rather than as a pure fullback. It fits Scally's skillset and he's not unfamiliar with the idea, having played at that spot at Borussia Monchengladbach, too

With Marlon Fossey out due to injury, Scally basically has to start, which is just fine.

We have him in central midfield for this game, but could it be right-wingback again?

Musah surely made an impression in that spot, scoring his first USMNT goal on an assist from club teammate Pulisic in Saturday night's 2-0 win over Panama. Pochettino loved the impact he made from that spot, but could he play there long-term? This game will provide some answers to that question. Was that a wrinkle to keep in the back pocket or the gameplan going forward?

Pochettino has shouted out Morris multiple times this camp. Rightfully so. You can tell already that Morris is exactly the type of player Pochettino wants and needs but, even so, it's still early days.

Morris is really just coming onto the scene and a game at Mexico will be his biggest moment yet. Mentality-wise, he seems more than ready for it, so it wouldn't be a surprise to see Pochettino rely on him again, especially with McKennie gone.

He was a late addition to camp, so he wasn't originally in Pochettino's plans. Given the roster changes, though, he might be now.

Tessmann arrived at camp late, but has now had about a week under the new boss. He was incredible this past summer at the Olympics but only has three USMNT appearances under his belt so far. An appearance against Mexico would be great to build some USMNT momentum, but also some momentum heading back to his new club, Lyon.

Wright came on and made one heck of an impact last game. He may not normally be known for his assists, but it was his pass that really made Pepi's late game-sealer.

Without Pulisic on the left flank, this USMNT attack is going to look vastly different. Wright has thrived in this position on the club level and, as a reward for his performance off the bench last game, he should get the nod.

With Folarin Balogun out of camp and Ricardo Pepi headed back to PSV due to a concussion, this spot is either Sargent's or Brandon Vazquez's. Considering Sargent was one of the initial call-ins, he probably has the advantage. He's also a player Pochettino will want to see more of in this striker race.

That leaves Vazquez as a game-breaking super sub should the need arise. Even better? He plays in Mexico, so he'll be more than eager to change the game should Poch call on him.

We have him listed as a right-wing, but that probably won't be what this looks like. Tillman will be asked to drift inside and make things happen as the chief creator of this team. Call this a 4-3-3, a 4-2-3-1 or a 4-3-1-2 - whatever it is, Tillman's job remains the same.

The PSV star has been monstrous on the club level, but could use a signature USMNT performance under his belt. With no Gio Reyna, that No. 10 spot is open to claim, and Tillman will be eager to do so.