The Rondo: What is Weston McKennie's future with the USMNT, how can Mauricio Pochettino replace Tyler Adams and what to expect from Ecuador, Australia friendlies?

Tom Hindle: It has to be Weston McKennie and someone else. McKennie hasn't exactly been Pochettino's best mate, so this one feels like a bit of an olive branch of a selection. Elsewhere, you've got a fair few choices. Tanner Tessmann is in good form, but with McKennie running everywhere, Cristian Roldan might be a man to hold it down. 

Ryan Tolmich: McKennie is obvious, particularly knowing he has a point to prove after all this time away. The question, then, is who starts next to him. The most logical answer would be Tessmann, who is far and away in the best form. Let’s see if that form translates. If it does, the USMNT might just have another contender to enter the mix.

Alex Labidou: Malik Tillman, McKennie and Tessmann make the most sense. Putting those three together would allow  Pochettino to run a double pivot and give Tillman freedom to roam as a box-to-box midfielder. Also starting Tessmann offers some of the qualities that Adams provides, though the Lyon midfielder is a step behind the Bournemouth star on both sides of the pitch.

TH: Yes, for now. National team goalies are tough to nail down, especially when you don't have anyone with a track record of success at the highest level (with all due respect to NYCFC and the Gold Cup). Freese seems the main man, but there's certainly a world in which Turner gets into the side. 

RT: Not nailed down, but he’s in a good spot. He's clearly preferred right now, although that can certainly change with  Turner now in MLS. All Freese can do is make sure he doesn’t leave the door open to give Turner an opportunity to show why he deserves it more. No mistakes, no chaos, no mishaps and Freese has a good shot.

AL: Who would start over Freese? He, Patrick Schulte and arguably Chris Brady are in better form than Turner at the moment in MLS. Most of that isn’t on Turner, with the Revolution defense being incredibly poor. But the reality is this is Freese’s job to lose. As long as he maintains his club and international form, it is going to take a lot to unseat him.

TH: Brenden Aaronson. Has he done anything over the past few years to prove that he has to be part of this group? Sure, he's an excellent runner and presser, but in a World Cup roster it likely comes down to him or Diego Luna. Right now, you'd back Luna. 

RT: If Mark McKenzie performs at his highest level, we may finally have an answer to the questions at centerback. Chris Richards is locked in. Tim Ream seems close. Can McKenzie seal that third centerback spot? A strong performance or two would go a long way - for McKenzie or one of the contenders. Given his comfort in a back three from Toulouse, though, McKenzie seems like the most likely choice.

AL: For all of the talk of this being the A squad, and rightfully so, there are still a lot of questions remaining with this group. Let’s go with Haji Wright and Cameron Carter-Vickers. Wright’s greatest strength has also been his weakness at times - he doesn’t really have a set position, going back and forth between striker and winger. Frank Lampard has put him at center forward this season and the result has been eight goals. Yet, internationally, the same has yielded mixed results. If Pochettino is sincere about ending his experimentation phase, what is the best way to see if Wright fits? Does Wright play as a supersub to replace Folarin Balogun? It is crucial for Poch to find another reliable forward option. As for CCV, if Pochettino wants to maintain a three centerback set, then he needs to see what he potentially has in the Celtic star. McKenzie is another option, but he’s had more opportunities than CCV. Let’s not forget, he briefly worked under Pochettino during their time at Tottenham.

TH: Morris. So far, Pochettino has been reluctant to bring him into the fold, even if his performances at Middlesbrough suggest that he really deserves it. Right now, he's fighting to be the last guy on the plane. He simply has to perform. 

RT: It’s probably McKennie. The midfield situation seems very fluid, and Pochettino made it clear multiple times that achievements from the prior era don’t carry over. McKennie has a lot to prove in this era after missing each on the last two gatherings following March’s mess. With Adams’ spot secure, McKennie’s hold on the other is tenuous at best. He needs to play well this camp.

AL: There is no denying McKennie’s talent, but he is the biggest question mark. Pochettino might say otherwise publicly, but it is telling he’s been reluctant to call up the Juventus midfielder. With McKennie’s future uncertain - his Juventus contract expires next summer - he needs as many opportunities as possible to show his value. His playing time during this camp will indicate where he stands with Pochettino.

TH: Both will be tough. Ecuador will pack the stadium with fans, and Australia is a legitimate side. But a revamped USMNT will win both. USMNT 2-1 over Ecuador (with an early scare) and USMNT 3-2 over Australia (with far too much drama for a friendly). 

RT: This Ecuador team is missing multiple heavy hitters, but that doesn’t mean they won’t be tough. Australia, too, will provide a unique test and are riding a significant unbeaten run heading into camp. The USMNT could use some wins, though. As a result, they’ll push through with 2-1 wins in both games to seal a successful window.

AL: Let’s go with the glass-half-full perspective here. Expect USMNT wins in both games, with a potentially dominant 3-0 or 4-1 result against Australia in the Mile High altitude of Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. Teams typically struggle to adjust to Colorado and this is the Socceroos’ first trip to the state. The USMNT got two of the biggest wins in their history in the state - the Snow Classico and the inaugural Nations League Final win in 2021.