With March friendlies vs Belgium (Mar 28) and Portugal (Mar 31) in Atlanta serving as the final auditions before the 2026 World Cup, expect a near-tournament XI and a likely Matt Freese starting spot. For bettors: lean toward markets favoring USMNT underdog value at home and player props for returning starters (Pulisic/McKennie) over risky injured players like Dest.
USMNT final March friendlies: Atlanta tune-ups ahead of 2026 World Cup
The United States men's national team will use two high-profile friendlies at Mercedes-Benz Stadium as the last international window before the 2026 World Cup roster is finalized. Matches against Belgium on March 28 and Portugal on March 31 are set to deliver the final look at personnel, combinations and the pecking order Mauricio Pochettino will take into the summer.
What the March roster will decide
Goalkeeper race: Freese looks favored
Matt Freese appears to have taken the lead for the starting goalkeeper role. The March friendlies offer a closure to the battle for backup minutes — candidates include Matt Turner, Patrick Schulte and Jonathan Klinsmann. Expect coaches to test Freese as the presumed starter and use the games to settle the No. 2 spot.
Defensive questions: who partners Richards?
Chris Richards is a near-lock for a starting center-back berth, but the identity of his partner remains unclear. Tim Ream has experience and Pochettino's trust, yet form issues in MLS raise questions. Selection here will reflect recent club form and defensive chemistry ahead of the World Cup.
Midfield balance and the No. 6 debate
Tyler Adams is the first-choice defensive midfielder, but depth behind him is still fluid. Tanner Tessmann and Aidan Morris are both in Pochettino’s orbit; their March call-ups would signal who’s viewed as reliable cover at No. 6 and who might double as No. 8 options. Expect little experimentation — the coaching staff will prioritize players who fit a tournament-style bench.
Attacking depth and returning stars
Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie and Chris Richards are expected back after absences in November. Their club form and fitness will be scrutinized closely; appearances and minutes in these friendlies could cement their roles for the summer. Gio Reyna remains an open question: lively in flashes for country but inconsistent at club level, he must translate form into regular minutes to convince selectors.
Predicted 26-man roster for March friendlies
Goalkeepers
GK Matt Freese — NYCFC — 9 caps
GK Patrick Schulte — Columbus Crew — 3 caps
GK Matt Turner — New England Revolution — 52 caps
Defenders
Max Arfsten — Columbus Crew — 10 caps
Alex Freeman — Orlando City — 9 caps
Mark McKenzie — Toulouse — 22 caps
Tim Ream — Charlotte FC — 77 caps
Chris Richards — Crystal Palace — 35 caps
Antonee Robinson — Fulham — 50 caps
Miles Robinson — FC Cincinnati — 35 caps
Joe Scally — Gladbach — 21 caps
Midfielders
Brenden Aaronson — Leeds United — 54 caps
Tyler Adams — Bournemouth — 52 caps
Sebastian Berhalter — Vancouver Whitecaps — 7 caps
Johnny Cardoso — Atletico Madrid — 22 caps
Diego Luna — Real Salt Lake — 14 caps
Weston McKennie — Juventus — 62 caps
Aidan Morris — Middlesbrough — 13 caps
Cristian Roldan — Seattle Sounders — 39 caps
Tanner Tessmann — Lyon — 8 caps
Malik Tillman — Bayer Leverkusen — 26 caps
Forwards
Patrick Agyemang — Derby County — 12 caps
Folarin Balogun — AS Monaco — 17 caps
Ricardo Pepi — PSV — 33 caps
Christian Pulisic — AC Milan — 82 caps
Haji Wright — Coventry City — 17 caps
(here presented as a projected 26-man group; final roster to be confirmed)
Key injuries and absences
Sergino Dest suffered a hamstring issue with his club and is expected to miss the March window, requiring roughly four to six weeks of recovery. The injury does not appear to threaten his availability for the World Cup if rehabilitation progresses normally, but his absence opens minutes for other fullbacks in Atlanta.
Noahkai Banks and dual-national ambiguity
Noahkai Banks remains eligible for both the United States and Germany and has not publicly committed. Although he has risen to regular club starts in the Bundesliga, his international future is unresolved. That uncertainty makes a March call-up unlikely unless he formally opts for the USMNT ahead of the roster deadline.
Gio Reyna: audition or omission?
Gio Reyna’s international form contrasts with ongoing club struggles. He produced goal contributions in recent friendlies but has not secured consistent minutes with his club and has battled a muscle injury. The coaching staff will weigh his international upside against current club rhythm when deciding whether Reyna earns further chances.
Betting implications: what punters should watch
The March friendlies are more roster-clarifying than experimental, so expect lineups close to what will be taken to the World Cup.
Bettors should monitor confirmed starters and minutes announcements: backing USMNT player props for returning starters (Pulisic, McKennie) or markets that treat the U.S. as slight home underdogs could offer value.
Avoid futures or player prop wagers tied to injured absentees (e.g., Dest) until fitness is certain. Additionally, goalkeeper markets will tighten once Pochettino confirms who starts in Atlanta.
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