3 things we learned from the USMNT’s games against Paraguay and Uruguay

The US Men’s National Team finished 2025 in style, demolishing Marcelo Bielsa’s Uruguay 5-1 in their final match of the year.

While Mauricio Pochettino named a second string team for Tuesday’s game, the level of the performance was so high that a number of players might have thrust themselves up the pecking order.

Here are three things Pochettino learned from the November international window.

Gio Reyna can offer something no other USMNT player can

Everyone has an opinion on Gio Reyna. Until the 23-year-old’s return to the national team fold for this month’s two matches, it seemed Pochettino’s was negative. Reyna had been left off the USA’s most recent rosters and has largely struggled for consistent game time since joining Borussia Monchengladbach in the summer.

As a starter against Paraguay and in 30 minutes off the bench against Uruguay, though, Reyna proved he can offer something no other USMNT player can. Against Paraguay in particular, he was the connective tissue in the final third, getting on the turn and in between the lines as often as possible.

His headed goal caught the eye and gave Reyna a symbolic moment on his return, but it was his overall performance that surely has Pochettino considering the 23-year-old as one of the USA’s starting number 10s for the opening game of the World Cup. Reyna made a real impact.

Pochettino has more squad depth than he possibly realized 

When the USMNT lineup dropped for Tuesday’s game against a strong-looking Uruguay, many feared the worst. However, the US’s second string produced an outstanding performance that suggests Pochettino might have more depth in his squad than appeared to be the case not so long ago.

Sebastian Berhalter dominated Uruguay in central midfield, and registered a stunning free-kick goal and an assist from a set piece. The Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder’s set piece deliveries alone might be enough to make him an important figure for the USMNT at next summer’s World Cup.

Alex Freeman was another player who caught the eye on Tuesday evening, bagging two braces in the 5-1 victory. The Orlando City full back was given the freedom to get forward from his position as the right-sided centre back and dovetailed nicely with Sergino Dest who was operating as an out and out winger.

Auston Trusty, John Tolkin and Haji Wright also made a case for themselves in the win over Uruguay, giving Pochettino more viable squad options as the USMNT enters 2026 and the year of the World Cup on home soil. The national team is well stocked with proven performers. 

2025 was a year in which the USMNT improved meaningfully

As recently as the September international window Pochettino’s position as USMNT head coach was being questioned. While the Argentine was never at risk of losing his job, many were casting doubt on his process which was, at that point, failing. A lot, however, has changed since then.

Positive results and performances against Japan, Ecuador, Australia, Paraguay and Uruguay have pointed the USMNT in the right direction. Pochettino has instilled a set of principles and values in his players that is now carrying from one game to the next. There has been consistency over a prolonged period of time.

Of course, this doesn’t necessarily mean the US is destined for a deep run at the 2026 World Cup, but Pochettino’s team is undeniably in a better place now than it was even two months ago. The former Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham Hotspur boss is now showing why US Soccer paid so much to hire him in the first place.