Key events
Pablo Iglesias Maurer
A really lively atmosphere outside Bank of America stadium here in Charlotte. I’m absolutely gobsmacked at the sheer volume of US kits on view, particularly the red-and-white, flag-themed kits they’ll be wearing at this summer’s World Cup.
There’s a strong Senegalese presence here as well, but they’re sure to be outnumbered greatly by US fans today. As for the atmosphere inside the ground, that remains to be seen – there are plenty of tickets still available at face value.
Note: There’s currently a $68 get-in point on SeatGeek, while Ticketmaster’s lowest face value price at about 35 minutes before kickoff is $38.65
Some ground rules, courtesy of Pablo (who’s at the grounds today):
Both teams will be able to make up to 11 substitutions to keep players fresh ahead of the World Cup. For the good of the game’s flow, teams are limited to the usual three substitution windows during the match, plus the ability to make changes at half-time without utilizing one of those windows.
USMNT Lineup: It’s a 3-4-2-1!
A mix of projected starters and alternatives for the first tune-up, with Matt Turner getting his second international start since June 2025.
Sergiño Dest and Antonee Robinson at right and left wing-back, respectively, with a center-back trio (right to left) of Alex Freeman, Mark McKenzie, and Tim Ream. Sebastian Berhalter and Tyler Adams forge the double-pivot beneath Christian Pulisic (thankfully NOT at striker, seemingly) and Gio Reyna.
Ricardo Pepi gets the start up top, shielding his face in the federation’s social media graphic.
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Mauricio Pochettino in talks with Milan over head coach’s role as US open World Cup camp
US men’s national team head coach Mauricio Pochettino has had talks with Serie A side Milan about taking over as manager next season, the Guardian can confirm.
Read more here
Pregame reading: Confidence in Pulisic
Mauricio Pochettino is entering the 2026 World Cup with plenty of confidence in his team’s biggest star, even after last summer’s saga that saw Christian Pulisic ask out of national team duty.
Read more here
Mauricio Pochettino ruffled some feathers after notifying his World Cup snubs that they’d been left off the squad over email.
Pablo Iglesias Maurer wrote about Pochettino’s defense of that decision
And @guardian.soccer spoke to fans about the story:
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Prelude
Well, it’s really real now. The US takes one of its last steps before their 2026 World Cup begins in a matter of hours. Jeff will be along shortly to guide you through.
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