As European leagues pause for November’s international window, USMNT forwards struggle for consistency while midfielders shine, highlighting the evolving depth chart ahead of the 2026 World Cup on home soil.
USMNT Stars Face Mixed Fortunes as European Season Hits International Break
The final international break of 2025 has arrived at a critical juncture for United States men’s national team players competing across Europe, revealing both concerning patterns and encouraging breakthroughs that will shape Gregg Berhalter’s successor’s plans for the 2026 World Cup.
The striker position remains the most pressing concern for the national team setup. Ricardo Pepi’s situation at PSV Eindhoven has become increasingly worrying, with the young Texan forward watching from the bench for the fourth consecutive match as his team demolished opponents 5-0 in the Eredivisie. Once viewed as the future of American striking, Pepi has managed just 4 goals and 1 assist across 12 appearances this season, with most coming as a substitute. His inability to dislodge veteran Luuk de Jong from the starting eleven raises questions about his development trajectory and readiness for a starring role in 2026.
Folarin Balogun’s integration into the USMNT picture faces its own challenges. The Monaco forward, who recently switched from England, started against but couldn’t manage a single shot on target in a frustrating 1-1 draw, extending his goalless run to three matches. With 5 goals and 2 assists in 15 appearances this season, Balogun shows flashes of quality but lacks the consistency needed to cement himself as the answer to America’s center-forward conundrum.
Even Haji Wright, plying his trade in Turkey with Antalyaspor, exemplified the striker struggles. While he managed to provide an assist, his inability to find the net himself continues a pattern of near-misses that has plagued USMNT forwards throughout this European campaign.
However, the weekend wasn’t without its spectacular moments. Tyler Adams delivered a timely reminder of his world-class ability with a thunderous long-range strike against Manchester City – his first goal for Bournemouth. The captain’s performance showcased the midfield dominance that made him indispensable during the 2022 World Cup, though concern immediately followed as he limped off with a late knock that forced his withdrawal from November’s USMNT camp. His injury history remains the only question mark over a player who, when fit, transforms the American midfield with his 88% pass accuracy and defensive intelligence.
In defense, Chris Richards continued his impressive form for Crystal Palace, anchoring a clean sheet in UEFA Conference League action with a dominant display that saw him win 11 duels and complete six tackles. The center-back’s consistency provides a welcome stability to a position that has often been problematic for the national team.
The goalkeeping depth also received a boost as Ethan Horvath continued stacking clean sheets for Sheffield Wednesday in the Championship, suggesting America’s options between the posts extend well beyond the established hierarchy.
Perhaps most intriguingly for the program’s future, Alyssa Thompson’s back-to-back goals for Chelsea in the WSL hint at the rising tide of American talent across both men’s and women’s programs, though her success serves to highlight the contrasting fortunes of the men’s attacking options.
The situation becomes more concerning when examining Gio Reyna’s plight at Borussia Mönchengladbach. Limited to just 8 appearances with zero goals following his return from injury, the son of former captain Claudio Reyna faces a minutes crisis that threatens his World Cup prospects. Once considered a cornerstone of the USMNT’s golden generation, Reyna must urgently reclaim regular playing time when the Bundesliga resumes or risk watching the home World Cup from the sidelines.
Christian Pulisic, notably rested by AC Milan ahead of the international break, remains the consistent bright spot in attack with his Serie A form providing the reliability that his striking counterparts currently lack.
As European football prepares to resume after the international window, the message for USMNT players is clear: with only March friendlies remaining before World Cup preparations intensify, the winter months will prove decisive in establishing the pecking order. The striker position, in particular, demands someone to seize the opportunity and provide the clinical finishing that will be essential on the sport’s biggest stage.
For a team preparing to host the world’s premier tournament, the current form of its European-based forwards represents a puzzle that needs solving urgently. While the midfield and defense show encouraging signs of depth and quality, the absence of a reliable goalscorer could prove the difference between a memorable home World Cup and early disappointment. The clock is ticking, and the opportunity for someone to claim that crucial role remains tantalizingly open.
