Time marches on: what the next three years will bring for the USMNT

After a fun World Cup with a dismal end, the US enters the 2030 cycle with numerous avenues to rebuild the squad

There are massive questions lingering around the US men's program. Mauricio Pochettino's contract is up, US Soccer has made an extension offer, but both parties are taking some time. Matt Crocker's abrupt exit as sporting director to take a similar job with Saudi Arabia before the World Cup begs more queries about the direction of the sport in this country. And while most of the 2026 squad's core still projects to contend for 2030, four years is a long time.

From now, each year offers a major tournament. This is what the US should hope to clarify at every step of the way.