'The next test' - The developing chemistry among Diego Luna, Malik Tillman and Jack McGlynn, Tyler Adams' potential return and five keys for the USMNT vs Saudi Arabia

The USMNT was missing three rostered players against Trinidad and Tobago. Tyler Adams was nursing a foot injury, and Johnny Cardoso and Damion Downs both had illnesses. All three were back in training ahead of the Saudi Arabia match, an important development for the USMNT.

There really is no overstating Adams' importance in midfield. He is far and away this team's best player and, in many ways, also its emotional leader. There was a reason he was captain at the 2022 World Cup. Adams leads from the front or, more aptly, from his place in the heart of midfield.

"Obviously, he's really important," midfielder Luca de la Torre said. "His defensive output really is special. The way that he can win duels and pick up second balls, it really helps the team win."

Cardoso's return is important, as well. Yes, he made a major mistake in a pre-Gold Cup loss to Turkey, but this is another chance for him to prove himself to a coach and a fanbase that surely expect more. Cardoso is one of the USMNT players with the most to gain, but he's also one with the most to lose.

Downs could be an option, but the potential midfield returns are the ones Pochettino will be particularly thrilled with. He has two midfield stars fit again. It remains to be either will start, but they're trending in the right direction.

Just two-and-a-half years ago, Saudi Arabia pulled off an all-time upset. On that day, they beat Argentina in their World Cup opener, putting Lionel Messi and Co. on the brink. We all know what happened next. Argentina's run was spurred by that moment.

Saudi Arabia didn't build on that win, dropping their next two group stage games to seal an early exit at that 2022 tournament. They aren't looking great for 2026, either, facing a real fight just to qualify heading into a three-team round robin. Still, this team is more dangerous than the one that the USMNT just faced. Saudi Arabia, an invited team for this Gold Cup, have experience and talent that will keep the USMNT on edge.

"They have been a pretty ambitious side over the last few years," said USMNT defender Chris Richards. "They had a good World Cup showing in 2022, so we expect a good team... We want to make them conform to us. We expect to get a competitive game, maybe a little bit more competitive game than the Trinidad game. So we'll have to put in a good performance."

The USMNT were good against T&T. They'll have to be better against Saudi Arabia, which topped Haiti, 1-0, in their Gold Cup own opener. The winner of Thursday's game will be in pole position heading into the finale, allowing them to rotate a bit, which could be key in the weeks to come.

The U.S. has multiple attacking midfield stars in incredible form at the moment. Now, the task is keeping them rolling. Diego Luna, Jack McGlynn and Malik Tillman all contributed to goals against Trinidad and Tobago, and all three are making legitimate cases to be on the World Cup roster.

McGlynn teed up Tillman on the opening goal last weekend, while Luna set up the PSV star with a tap-in to make it 2-0. Luna nearly got one of his own shortly after, but was only credited with an assist after his shot banked of Patrick Agyemang for the goal.

After the game, both Luna and Tillman said that the group was having fun, largely due to the attack's ability to combine with each another. With Agyemang providing the hold up play, the others are free to cut inside, combine and create, which leads to an exciting atmosphere when they can find space.

"It's been great so far," says McGlynn, who has major ambitions for 2026. "I think we had a lot of chemistry last game. We were always combining and we've been developing that through training. It's been fun to be out there. They're two amazing players and, playing off Pat up there as well, it's been great."

It doesn't matter how you score goals, just that you score them. Agyemang has been scoring in bunches, but it's true that he could have a few more if things had taken different bounces.

Against T&T, Agyemang got his goal. He didn't know much about it, but he got it. Consider it the soccer gods rewarding him for the chances that had come prior, the ones that hadn't gone his way. By the end of his 73 minutes, Agyemang had amassed five shots. Aside from his goal, just one other was on target. Two of the misses were defined as big chances and, against better opponents, strikers don't tend to get so many looks.

It's easy to see what Agyemang brings to the table. His four goals in seven appearance for the USMNT speak for themselves. So, too, does the danger he brings with his ability to out-muscle and out-hustle defenders. Agyemang will get his chance to score more, and do more. And, if that does come against a decent opponent such as Saudi Arabia, he will likely have to be just a little bit more clinical.

"The message has been to stick to it," Agyemang said on FOX. "We wanted to start this tournament off well and we ultimately were able to do that, so now it's about us focusing on what we can control and focusing on what we're good at. If we stay relaxed, stay composed and do what we know we can do, we can get the results as well."

Whether it's Agyemang, Brian White, Downs or Haji Wright up top, that message rings true.

There are lineup decisions to be made all over the field, of course, as is natural in a tournament setting. But none are as consequential as the one in goal.

For the T&T game, Pochettino surprised many by leaning on Matt Freese rather than Matt Turner, and the NYCFC goalkeeper did enough to justify that call. Freese wasn't asked to do much but, when he was called upon, he was generally good, making a few stops late on to preserve the clean sheet.

Does Pochettino reward Freese for his good performance by giving him another game? Or does he go with Turner, the goalkeeper many still see as the No. 1? On one hand, Pochettino will generally know what he has in Turner, who has years of USMNT matches on film. Freese is a newer player, with only two caps, so in terms of learning, there's more to be gained by Freese getting the nod.

On the other hand, Turner can use some confidence and, more importantly, some minutes after playing so few this season at the club level. Is it worth trying to rebuild him this summer, knowing that he could be the starter when the games matter more next summer?

This match will likely be telling.