With the U.S. men’s national team's 2026 FIFA World Cup opener just 500 days away, now's the perfect time to take stock of where the American player pool stands.

When the United States, Canada and Mexico were awarded the 2026 men’s World Cup in June 2018, the tournament felt an eternity away. That year’s edition in Russia was about to get going and the fever dream that was the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, with its air-conditioned outdoor stadiums, still felt pretty conceptual.

Alexi Lalas and David Mosse share final thoughts on the January window for the USMNT. With a MLS-heavy squad, the guys discussed players that stood out and thoughts on the direction of USMNT under Maurico Pochettino.