Which U.S. players are under pressure to perform for Mauricio Pochettino against Jamaica? GOAL takes a look

The U.S. men's national team will not have many meaningful games in the lead-up to the 2026 World Cup. The pair of upcoming games against Jamaica fit the bill, though. With a spot in the CONCACAF Nations League semifinals, and more meaningful games, on the line, the U.S. must survive a two-legged clash with a legitimately good team in Mauricio Pochettino's first real matches in charge.

The first leg comes on Thursday in Jamaica before the two sides head to St. Louis for the second leg next Monday. These will be tightly contested matches, for sure. Jamaica is an extremely talented team, one that, under new coach Steve McClaren, will see this as a perfect opportunity to take a shot at one of CONCACAF's heavy hitters.

For perspective, the USMNT and Jamaica have met 32 times dating back to 1988. While the U.S. holds an advantage of 19-3-10, seven of the last 10 matches have been decided by a goal or less. Since dropping a 2-1 friendly in Washington, D.C. in 2019, the USMNT have a seven-game unbeaten streak vs. Jamaica.

Most recently, the  were challenging the USMNT deep into the semifinals of the 2023-24 Nations League before a brace from Haji Wright powered the U.S. to the tournament final. The U.S. went on to score another Dos a Cero victory over Mexico for its third-straight title.

Pochettino's job, then, is simple: win now, all with an eye toward the 2026 World Cup. These games are key for the USMNT, but the new coach is also still in the introductory phase. There are five players joining camp for the first time under Pochettino, including the likes of Chris Richards and Tim Weah. Weston McKennie is back, too, after leaving USMNT camp early last month. That initial camp was one of highs and lows with a 2-0 win over Panama and a 2-0 loss to Mexico. Most important, it was a chance for Pochettino to meet the group and begin the work.

There's no time for pleasantries this time around. This test will be very real. What to expect from the USMNT? Which players are under pressure to perform and which will provide a lift for Pochettino? GOAL takes a look as the USMNT prepare to take on Jamaica.

Getty Images SportThe striker situation

There's no Josh Sargent and no Folarin Balogun, due to injury, which leaves the USMNT shorthanded at striker. Now, the pressure will fall to Ricardo Pepi, who, to be fair, tends to score when he does have that spotlight on him.

Pepi is in fine form. He's scored six goals in 420 Eredivisie minutes, including two goals against PEC Zwolle on Oct. 26 and one more against NAC Breda over the weekend.He also scored in his last USMNT appearance, netting the second goal in the friendly win over Panama in Austin.

Pepi is almost certainly the starter, likely in both games. It's a major opportunity for him to prove himself, particularly with the two other top contenders out of camp due to injury. The USMNT does have firepower behind him, though. Brandon Vazquez is a fantastic supersub option, particularly if the USMNT needs a goal late. The Monterrey striker can provide instant offense.

Could Pochettino throw in a surprise? Someone such Weah in a central role? Perhaps, but Weah will miss the first of the two Jamaica matches on suspension from his red card in this summer's Copa America. In all likelihood, the USMNT's No. 9 duties will fall to Pepi for these two massive games.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesBrenden Aaronson's resurgence

Brenden Aaronson started the season well, winning Leeds' Player of the Month honors in August. Importantly, that level hasn't dipped, which has led to several positive results for club and country.

On the club level, Aaronson has won back the trust of Leeds fans by proving August wasn't a fluke. He already has four Championship goals this season, double the amount he scored in the Bundesliga last season and quadruple what he scored in his first full season with Leeds. The goals are coming in wins, too, helping Leeds push for a run back to the Premier League.

For Aaronson, that brings confidence – and that confidence brings USMNT opportunities. Throughout his time with the U.S., Aaronson has been known for effort and intensity which, despite what detractors may say, is required. The big question now is if he can add a few goals and assists to that hard-working approach. He has in the Championship; if he can with the USMNT, that would be a massive leap forward.

GettyMcKennie's impact on the midfield

It's been too long since we've seen Weston McKennie in a USMNT jersey. He missed September camp and was forced out of October camp. In the time since McKennie last played for the USMNT, the Copa America, he has survived another potential Juventus sale to reclaim his place in the team once again.

Now, he'll be asked to reclaim his place in this team. Pochettino will no doubt have some fun ideas for a midfielder of McKennie's caliber. McKennie, at his best, is a midfield master who impacts the game all over the pitch and can provide a legitimate goalscoring threat, particularly from set pieces.

Pochettino, like any coach, can find a way to use that. What will the midfield look like?

Tyler Adams is still in Bournemouth as he continues to work his way back to full fitness, with Pochettino saying Sunday, "He is an important player for USA, for us, and I consider him, personally, a very important player for the future of this team. But the most important thing now is to see the progression."

So that No. 6 spot is up for grabs. Will Pochettino go with a double-pivot ahead of one attacking midfielder? Will there be one lone six? In either scenario, where does McKennie fit, particularly in this roster as assembled?

McKennie's club form has been good. Now, it's up to Pochettino to find the right way to unleash it.

GettyWeah is back… almost

McKennie isn't the only Juventus star back in the U.S. squad for the first time since the Copa America. Weah is back, too, although his return is technically on pause.

Weah will miss the first game in Jamaica due to his Copa red card, but he'll be eligible to return for the second game in St. Louis. Weah's return to the team gives Pochettino a weapon he didn't have in October, one that, over the last few years, has been so important to how the USMNT attack has functioned.

Weah's ability to keep defenses honest opens up many doors. The winger is always a threat, which forces defenses to redirect attention or be punished in one of those moments where that threat becomes real. It's a knock-on effect that previous boss Gregg Berhalter spoke about often: Weah's ability to stretch the lines changes how everyone else on the field can operate.

This is Pochettino's team now, though. We've seen how Pochettino uses wingers on the club level, where he's coached many of the best. From proven stars such as Heung-min Son, Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi to rising stars such as Cole Palmer, Pochettino has found ways to get production out of wingers of different shapes and sizes.

Weah is next up, even if he'll have to wait one more match before actually taking the field.

As for who starts the first game, Pochettino has options. Alejandro Zendejas impressed against Mexico, making him one of the few that can say that. The other contender is Cade Cowell, who provides an injection of pace that will be lacking with Weah out. Aaronson, too, could start out wide, as he did last camp.