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USMNT players thrive under PochettinoGetty Images
Ryan Tolmich

Folarin Balogun, Yunus Musah, Johnny Cardoso and the USMNT players with the most to gain under Mauricio Pochettino

The post-Behalter era means new opportunities, so which U.S. players would benefit most from a Pochettino hire?

When a new coach comes into a locker room, change is inevitable. Right or wrong, each coach has his own approach and, when that new voice enters the room, players must adjust.

The style and strategy that the members of the U.S. men's national team were used to under former coach Gregg Berhalter? That's all gone now. There will be a proverbial new sheriff in town.

Enter Mauricio Pochettino?

The ex-Tottenham, PSG and Chelsea boss is expected to be named USMNT manager, reported more than three weeks ago to have agreed to terms to take over the national team. Though nothing officially has been announced, all signs point to a Pochettino arrival, and should that happen, he'll need to get right to work.

Over the coming weeks and months, Pochettino would presumably assess everything having to do with the USMNT, top to bottom. From the player pool to tactics to schedules, it's all in the hands of a new decision-maker.

For some, that could prove to be challenging, as they'll need to adjust to a new way of doing business. For others, the change at the top could unlock the opportunity they've been waiting for.

There are players on the U.S. squad that would stand to benefit from a Pochettino hire, afforded chances they weren't under Berhalter. To that end, GOAL looks at which USMNT players are best positioned to benefit from a change in coaches.

  • Auston Trusty Sheffield United 2023-24Getty Images

    Auston Trusty

    The centerback race is arguably the most competitive one in the USMNT player pool. There are at least six players that legitimately have an argument to start. Obviously, there's only so much room for that position on a roster, though, and, all too often, Auston Trusty found himself on the outside looking in.

    As a result, Trusty would have plenty to gain with Pochettino in charge. He may have been No. 6 or No. 7 under Berhalter, but that's all wiped clean. Trusty may not leapfrog all those in front of him, but he surely has a better chance to do so now that there's a new set of eyes assessing the centerback options. That process has already begun, too, with Trusty called into the September squad.

    It'll be up to Trusty to prove he deserves that spot. He'll have to put in consistent performances to do so. The door is open more than it was just a few months ago.

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  • Cameron Carter-Vickers USMNTGetty

    Cameron Carter-Vickers

    Unlike Trusty, Carter-Vickers has been a part of that centerback group. He was in the squad at both the Copa America and the 2022 World Cup, but has never been a consistent starter. Could that change under Pochettino? Perhaps, particularly when you factor in their prior relationship.

    Carter-Vickers never quite broke through at Tottenham, but he was around the squad during Pochettino's time in charge of Spurs. Pochettino was a real believer in the American's potential, even if it ultimately showed itself for Celtic and not Tottenham. At one point, Pochettino backed Carter-Vickers to be one of the best centerbacks in England. That's high praise.

    Now 26, the defender is inching towards his prime. With Pochettino in charge, that potential could be accelerated, and he could prove an important piece of this USMNT puzzle.

  • Folarin Balogun USMNT 2024 Copa AmericaGetty

    Folarin Balogun

    In some ways, Balogun could be a loser in all of this. He's the USMNT's incumbent No. 9, so there's always a risk that others could overtake him. Realistically, though, it seems he'll be a better fit under Pochettino than he ever was under Berhalter.

    Berhalter's system never called for a get-in-behind striker. The system generally worked through the wings, asking those out wide to do much of the lifting creatively. Under Berhalter, the U.S. aspired to be a possession team in ways that prior USMNT groups weren't.

    That never quite fit with Balogun's skillset. He's at his most dangerous when running in behind, and he's offered glimpses of that since making his USMNT commitment last year. Occasional flashes aren't enough, though. He needs to be more consistently dangerous.

    Pochettino has gotten plenty out of star No. 9s in the past. Harry Kane might be the best of this generation, and he became that under Pochettino's watchful eye. Balogun would be Pochettino's most interesting attacking weapon, and it'll be interesting to see how he could potentially utilize him.

  • Johnny Cardoso USMNT 2024Getty

    Johnny Cardoso

    For the several years, the USMNT has been built around the so-called "MMA" midfield of Weston McKennie, Yunus Musah and Tyler Adams. In the last year or so, the MMA has added an R for Gio Reyna, who has started as a No. 10. There's been no C for Johnny Cardoso, however, as he's been left as a backup with this group.

    Given what he's produced at Real Betis, that could end up changing. Pochettino will have no nostalgic attachment to the MMA group, even if it could remain going forward. Musah is off to a strong start this season, but McKennie hasn't played and Adams has essentially missed the last year and a half with injury issues. Forget this current camp. Even beyond that, the midfield isn't set in stone anymore.

    Cardoso is playing regularly in La Liga, a league that Pochettino knows well as a player and a coach. He'll no doubt take a closer look at Cardoso, who could finally get his long-awaited chance to earn a starting spot with the U.S.

  • Gabriel Slonina US U20sGetty Images

    Gabriel Slonina

    The USMNT goalkeeper spot is very much up for grabs, particularly with Matt Turner playing limited minutes at the club level through most of 2024. Could Gabriel Slonina be the one to step up and into that role?

    Pochettino worked with Slonina at Chelsea, although their time together was brief. They overlapped for just a few months before Slonina went out on loan to Eupen and, by the time he returned to England, Pochettino's time at Stamford Bridge was over.

    Even so, there's familiarity there and, especially early on, international coaches will go with what they know. Because of that, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Slonina included on one of Pochettino's first few squads. He wasn't called in for September friendlies, but that's because Barnsley are playing through the break. There will be more opportunities going forward, for sure.

    The 20-year-old goalkeeper still needs more experience, but that'll come on the club level with Barnsley. Maybe he'll get some with the USMNT, too, should Pochettino begin his tenure.

  • Yunus Musah USMNT 2023-24Getty Images

    Yunus Musah

    This is another case like that of Balogun. Yunus Musah has dutifully played his part, but could he transform into a true impact player under Pochettino?

    Just 21, Musah is not a finished product. But he has the potential tol be the perfect Mousa Dembele clone. For years, Dembele was Tottenham's midfield monster. He was, and still is, criminally underrated. On or off the ball, Dembele could do everything.

    Musah is that type of player. He's comfortable with the ball at his feet and is growing into the defensive side with AC Milan. Pochettino could be exactly the coaching mentor he needs and, if he can get anywhere near Dembele's level, the U.S. will have a superstar.