Some players moved closer to Mauricio Pochettino's World Cup squad in September friendlies, but others now challenged

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Mauricio Pochettino said it several times throughout the course of this international break: the focus is on the World Cup. From the start, the U.S. men's national team head coach said that this would be the last meaningful opportunity to experiment before narrowing down the players he wants to bring with him on this road to next summer.

A mixed bag of results followed. There was the 2-0 loss to South Korea, a game in which the USMNT were underwhelming. There was the 2-0 win over Japan, a game in which the USMNT played up to their level. By Pochettino's own logic, though, that matters little – per the plan, what matters is how the individuals fared.

Some players clearly boosted their World Cup stock, putting in performances that show why they can contribute to this team next summer. Others have some work to do, although the chances will seemingly be harder to come by going forward as Pochettino welcomes back key regulars and settles on a more structured roster for October friendlies.

"We need to call the players that can perform," Pochettino said. "If the players, for different reasons, are not performing, why are we going to call them? We aren't going to just call players who performed four years ago unless they perform better than another player. That is, for me, the most important thing. I was telling the players that the door is always open. It's not closed. You all have the possibility to stay on, and then it's going to be our decision."

The USMNT will play both Ecuador and Australia in October, and then close the year against Paraguay and Uruguay in November, with the World Cup on the horizon.

Some players moved closer to being a part of that squad with their performances in these games. Others will be left wondering if they did enough. Who stood out? Whose stock rose, and whose fell? GOAL takes a look.

Getty ImagesSTOCK UP: Alejandro Zendejas

Mauricio Pochettino admitted that Alex Zendejas had given him reason to "doubt" his prior assessment. As a player, what else can you do?

After coming on and providing a jolt of energy against South Korea, Zendejas provided more of the same against Japan while adding a goal for good measure. The goal was classy as can be: a truly perfect left-footed volley that left the goalkeeper with no chance. It was a goal that required technical ability, quality and timing. It also required confidence.

"I like to float around in that pocket, and I feel like Coach Pochettino, for sure, gives me that freedom to roam around, get on the ball and feel free," Zendejas said. "I feel like myself on the ball. He really gives us that confidence to not be nervous, to get on the ball and do what we do with our clubs. It gives us that creativity that players like us need."

Zendejas, too, might provide the creativity that the USMNT needs. At the very least, he's earned another chance.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportSTOCK DOWN: Tristan Blackmon

Full credit to Tristan Blackmon for bouncing back. Given the events of Saturday, in his USMNT debut, it couldn't have been easy to get ready for the Japan match. Despite a few small hiccups, Blackmon was much improved against Japan, showing a performance more like the ones that earned this initial USMNT opportunity.

Unfortunately, the road to a World Cup is cutthroat, and first impressions are hard to shake. That applies double to a centerback picture this crowded, even if there could be three, not two, starting in that position each game.

Blackmon has proven to be a quality MLS defender, no doubt, but his mistakes against South Korea certainly hurt his USMNT chances. Chalk them up to nerves, and that's likely the cause. But at this level, those types of mistakes carry consequences.

It's unfortunate, because Blackmon could certainly grow into a role with more reps. Unfortunately, it's hard to see why he should get those reps over the likes of Mark McKenzie, Miles Robinson, Walker Zimmerman, Cameron Carter-Vickers and Auston Truty, none of whom were included in this camp.

This may not be the last we see of Blackmon. Unfortunately, though, that first impression could dash his World Cup hopes.

Getty ImagesSTOCK UP: Folarin Balogun

In some ways, we didn't learn anything we didn't already know about Folarin Balogun. He is, in fact, a very dangerous striker. Realistically, though, that's why the USMNT recruited him two years ago. Nothing has changed there.

Call it a reminder, then. In this camp, Balogun showed everyone that he still has the ability to be this team's No. 1 striker, even after missing so much time due to injury.

Coming on against South Korea, Balogun was lively, adding the right speed and timing to an attack that needed a jolt. Against Japan, he was given the start, and he proceeded to make life hell for Japan's defense. Time and time again, he put Japan's backline in uncomfortable spots, not just with his pace but with his mind.

"What I've noticed most about Balo that is really good for the team is that he gives an outlet," Christian Pulisic said after the win over Japan. "Whether that's coming into pockets and laying off the ball or runs in behind that relieve the team, when we're under pressure, he gives that. When I turn, I feel like I can look and he's making those short runs across the backline. That's what he's really good at."

We'll see what happens when Ricardo Pepi is fit but, right now, Balogun has the look of a World Cup starter.

Getty ImagesSTOCK DOWN: Josh Sargent

Harsh on Josh Sargent, to be sure. He played in only one game and, in that match against South Korea, he was largely deprived of service. The USMNT was largely disorganized and looked to play long. The system didn't suit him.

That said, Balogun looks like a man for any system. Pepi, too, has shown the ability to score goals in a variety of ways. Sargent, for whatever reason, still hasn't shown that in a USMNT shirt – his infamous national team scoring drought dates back to 2019 – and it's why he may be on the outside looking in at the moment.

The Norwich striker is a hell of a forward, one that scores goals for fun on the club level. His lack of goals with the USMNT comes down to a variety of factors. But if other strikers are scoring, those factors become harder to overlook. With Balogun now fit and Pepi seemingly on his way back, it seems that there will be fewer chances for him to step up, which is what will make the path forward even harder, regardless of what Sargent does for his club.