Christian Pulisic's position, Weston McKennie’s move, and top five USMNT storylines to watch this weekend

The USMNT are strong in midfield, but have questions in other positions. One of the areas with the biggest question marks lies at striker.

Right now, reported new USMNT manager Mauricio Pochettino will have to marshal a handful of intriguing, yet incomplete players. Sargent has shown, in glimpses, that he might be able to become something a bit more reliable.

He scored 16 goals last season and started this campaign with serious intent for Norwich. After being scarcely involved in his team's opener against Oxford United, Sargent was incisive when it counted last week, scoring and assisting in a 2-2 draw. This weekend presents another opportunity, as Sargent faces off against potential future USMNT teammate Auston Trusty when Norwich takes on Sheffield United.

Se queda.

For a long time, it looked like McKennie would depart after being linked with a move away throughout the summer. The center midfielder reportedly had offers from Fiorentina, the Bundesliga, and even MLS. With no guarantees over playing time under new Jueventus manager Thiago Motta, a move might have even been the best decision for all parties.

Not anymore, apparently. McKennie tacked an extra year onto his contract - previously due to expire in June 2025 - and is now committed to the Old Lady until June 2026. It seems a show of faith from the club and manager, who, it would follow, might let McKennie back into the fold. And he deserves it. McKennie enjoyed arguably his best season as a pro last year, providing seven assists from a central role.

With the club now backing him with a new deal, the USMNT regular now has the opportunity to build on it.

And so the Pulisic position experiment continues. Funky, fun, groovy No. 10 Pulisic looked like a great idea in preseason. The start from Hershey, Pennsylvania tore Barcelona apart in a friendly (yes, that is still a weird sentence to write). But in his first competitive game under new manager Paulo Fonseca, things weren't quite as successful. Pulisic largely struggled through 73 minutes in Milan's season opener, before being withdrawn for his USMNT teammate Yunus Musah.

He wasn't woeful, but the impact that he had shown against the Spanish giants simply wasn't on display. It would be unfair for Fonseca to be entirely reactionary. This is, after all, just one game. But Pulisic's position will be one to watch both this weekend and in the matches to follow.

Who is the USMNT's No. 1 in net? Can new manager Mauricio Pochettino survey his player pool, and say, with absolute conviction, that he has a reliable man between the sticks? Right now, it looks like an open race. Matt Turner, when fit and playing, appears to have first refusal on the role. But the goalkeeper is stuck on the bench at Nottingham Forest, and with no signs of an imminent move, might just be sitting around while those around him improve.

That opens up a chance for youngster Gaga Slonina. He enjoyed a strong start to the season last week, making six saves in a 2-1 win for Barnsley. A few more good performances and he could get his shot at the big time in the September international break.

At the beginning of the season Richards' starting spot for Crystal Palace seemed very much up in the air. New manager Oliver Glasner utilized him consistently toward the end of the 2023-24 campaign, but the presence of Marc Guehi and Joachim Andersen might have seen the American forced to watch from the sidelines.

However, the pathway has just been cleared. Andersen is reportedly nearing a move to Fulham - where he will be expected to replace American Tim Ream - which would seem to leave a spot open for Richards. It could be the ideal time for the centerback to finally make his mark at the highest level.

The talent has certainly always been there, but inconsistent minutes and a series of poor fits from a managerial perspective has seen his career fail to take off. Now, he might just have that chance. And with Andersen gone, it starts in full this weekend.