Mauricio Pochettino will reveal the U.S. men’s final 26-player World Cup roster on May 26, and FC Cincinnati center back Miles Robinson remains on the bubble. Robinson says he’s fully fit after recent setbacks, but deep center-back options and his injury history turn his inclusion into one of Pochettino’s toughest calls ahead of the U.S. opener vs. Paraguay on June 12.
Pochettino’s roster countdown: Robinson’s place hangs in the balance
Mauricio Pochettino announces the 26-man USMNT World Cup squad May 26 at Pier 17 in New York, with a pre-tournament camp and friendlies vs Germany and Senegal immediately after. Among the most scrutinized decisions is whether Miles Robinson, a physical, dependable center back for FC Cincinnati, earns a spot despite recent injuries and a crowded pool of defensive options.
Why Robinson is under the microscope
Robinson has 38 caps since his 2019 debut and offers pace, aerial presence and leadership — attributes that translate well to tournament soccer. Yet his medical history is the obvious counterweight: a ruptured left Achilles in 2022 cost him a shot at that World Cup, a groin issue ruled him out of a March window, and he missed multiple MLS matches last month with a leg problem. Robinson says he’s healthy now and back in Cincinnati’s starting XI, stressing a present-focused mindset rather than dwelling on roster anxieties.
Depth at center back: the competition
Pochettino has several viable center-back profiles to choose from. Tim Ream brings veteran poise; Auston Trusty offers physicality and set-piece value; Chris Richards is comfortable on the ball and suited to possession transitions; Mark McKenzie contributes athleticism and recovery speed; younger options like Alex Freeman add upside and versatility. That mix forces Pochettino to weigh immediate match-readiness against long-term tournament durability.
Tactical fit and selection signals
Pochettino’s selections will reveal what he values defensively: a ball-playing line capable of building from the back or a more pragmatic, rugged pairing for high-intensity testing. Robinson’s strengths — recovery speed, aerial dominance and one-on-one defending — make him useful in both schemes, but recurring injuries raise questions about consistency across a compressed World Cup schedule. Expect Pochettino to prioritize players who can withstand physical load and tactical demands over 90-plus minutes in hostile environments.
What Robinson’s inclusion would mean
If selected, Robinson becomes part of a defensive rotation whose balance of MLS experience and international exposure matters in knockout scenarios. His presence would signal trust in his fitness and in the MLS-to-USMNT pathway; his omission would underscore concerns over durability and give more minutes to players who have shown continuity in recent camps.
Next steps: timeline and impact
Pochettino’s May 26 announcement precedes a training camp and friendlies against Germany and Senegal — both final tune-ups to assess combinations and fitness. The U.S. opens Group D against Paraguay in Los Angeles on June 12, then faces Australia and Türkiye in Seattle and Los Angeles. With matches spaced tightly and expectations high on home soil, selection decisions will prioritize readiness and tactical fit over pedigree alone.
Bottom line
Robinson’s fight for a World Cup spot is a microcosm of Pochettino’s broader dilemma: assemble a resilient, tactically flexible squad while managing injury risk.
Robinson’s form and minutes in the coming days could tip the balance, but ultimately Pochettino is likely to favor players who combine immediate availability with the specific defensive traits he plans to use in a tournament where margins are thin.
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