USMNT’s glaring World Cup roster hole comes with Gio Reyna among surprise potential answers
The USMNT's World Cup roster has raised eyebrows due to the inclusion of players like Gio Reyna and Malik Tillman as potential defensive midfielders. Coach Mauricio Pochettino emphasized tactical flexibility, suggesting that the team could adapt to various formations. However, the reliance on Tyler Adams as a key player raises concerns about depth in the midfield.
- ▪Gio Reyna and Malik Tillman were mentioned as unexpected options for defensive midfield.
- ▪Tyler Adams is considered a presumed starter, but the team lacks depth in that position.
- ▪Pochettino's roster decisions reflect a focus on tactical flexibility for the upcoming World Cup.
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Soccer USMNT’s glaring World Cup roster hole comes with Gio Reyna among surprise potential answers By Ethan Sears Published May 27, 2026, 10:00 p.m. ET See more of our coverage in your search results. Add The New York Post on Google FAYETTEVILLE, Ga. — Just about everyone in the room did a double take Tuesday when, after being asked about the apparent lack of defensive midfielders on his 26-man roster for the World Cup, Mauricio Pochettino started rattling off names and included the likes of Gio Reyna and Malik Tillman. As shocks go, Reyna, a winger, or Tillman, an attacking midfielder, lining up as a defensive midfielder for the U.S. men’s national team would register as a 10 on the Richter scale.
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