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Mauricio Pochettino has a USMNT roster dilemma, and the 2028 Olympics are making it more complicated

Mauricio Pochettino faces a dual challenge as he prepares the U.S. Men’s National Team for the CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinals against Haiti, while simultaneously balancing preparations for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

The upcoming camp, beginning November 9, will see Pochettino’s senior squad and Steve Cherundolo’s under-23 team operate separately, with the latter focusing on Olympic qualification. Several young players who impressed during recent wins over Peru, Chile, Mexico, and Canada—including those called up for a six-week senior camp—are now caught between senior and junior commitments, as Cherundolo’s squad begins its own overseas training cycle.

The frontline, in particular, presents a key decision point: Folarin Balogun and Ricardo Pepi, both returning from injury, scored crucial goals this weekend for Monaco and PSV Eindhoven, respectively, while Christian Pulisic also made an impact with a fourth-minute strike for AC Milan in a 3-1 victory over Inter Milan. With the U.S.

aiming to build a competitive Olympic team, Pochettino must weigh whether to include these players in the Nations League matches (November 14 in Miami and November 17 in Cincinnati) or prioritize their development with Cherundolo’s under-23 side over the next 18 months.

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