The US probably won’t start their A-team for both friendlies against Senegal and Germany, but the games are still opportunities to build momentumSign up for the World Behind The Cup newsletterThe 26-man squad has been confirmed. The disappointing emails and uplifting WhatsApp videos have been sent . And so, the US men’s national team’s World Cup campaign begins in earnest.Much about the co-hosts’ impending tournament feels unrefined, although that may have been inevitable. Hosting the World Cup ensures a spot in the 48-team field, but robs a team of the qualifying gauntlet that can clarify who can handle the pressure and identify a group’s core. These issues were further compounded by the mid-cycle appointment of Mauricio Pochettino, with his initially thin grasp on his player pool leaving most of his tenure to assess individuals before he could refine a collective. Continue reading... ...read more read less