Three USMNT players who have a point to prove against South Korea and Japan

The clock is ticking for the US Men’s National Team, with World Cup 2026 a mere 9 months away. Head coach Mauricio Pochettino is under pressure to find a winning formula before soccer’s marquee event kicks off on home soil. 

Pochettino and his players will take on South Korea and Japan in two friendly matches over the next week with the former Chelsea, PSG and Tottenham Hotspur manager intent on making good use of these run-outs. Here are three USMNT players with a point to prove.

Folarin Balogun

There remains real uncertainty over who will start as the USMNT’s number nine at the 2026 World Cup, but Folarin Balogun will have an opportunity to make a case for himself against South Korea and Japan with the 24-year-old back in the squad after a series of persistent injuries.

Balogun scored his first goal of the Ligue 1 season for Monaco against Strasbourg on Sunday and there are positive signs that the former Arsenal striker will receive regular game time this term. It’s time for Balogun to rediscover the form that saw him register 21 league goals for Reims two seasons ago.

The USMNT needs an attacking focal point capable of attacking open space and this is where Balogun is ahead of the other options available to Pochettino. A goal or two against South Korea and Japan would help calm some nerves among the USMNT fanbase over the centre forward position.

Sergino Dest

It’s not so much that Sergino Dest has a point to prove, but the right back can remind us all of how badly the USMNT have missed him over the last year or so. Dest is finally fit and available again and is certain to receive game time in the matches against South Korea and Japan.

Pochettino has used Alex Freeman and Joe Scally at right back in Dest’s absence, but neither have the pedigree and quality of the former Ajax and Barcelona defender. Dest has made a fast start to the season, scoring twice for PSV, and the hope is that he can translate this into two strong showings for the national team.

It’s possible Dest could play on the left side of the USA’s defence against South Korea and Japan with Antonee Robinson still recovering from injury. Dest has played as a left back at times for PSV this season, but it’s on the right side where he can make the biggest difference for the USMNT. He’s still one of Pochettino’s best players.

Josh Sargent

Josh Sargent is on fire right now. The 25-year-old has scored six goals in his first five matches of the season for Norwich City. Pochettino simply couldn’t look past Sargent for a national team call-up despite the Argentine coach omitting him from his Gold Cup squad earlier this year.

Sargent hasn’t always been able to find his best form for the USA. Indeed, it’s been six years since he has scored for the national team. Nonetheless, Sargent is in the form of his life at the moment and could force his way back into the starting discussion for the World Cup by catching the eye this week.

Speculation swirled around Sargent for the majority of the summer transfer window. Wolfsburg reportedly came close to signing the 25-year-old while Brentford, Burnley and Leeds United were also believed to be interested in the Norwich striker. Sargent stayed put and can now focus on reviving his international career.