USMNT Gold Cup Review: Luna and Tillman Shine While Turner and Cardoso Slip Down the Ladder

Malik Tillman and Diego Luna impress, but Matt Turner and Johnny Cardoso face uphill battle for 2026

The curtain has fallen on the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup, and while the trophy may have ended up in the hands of arch-rivals Mexico, the tournament offered a critical checkpoint for the U.S. men’s national team. With just under a year to go until the 2026 World Cup, this edition of the Gold Cup wasn’t about glory as much as it was about gathering data, building chemistry, and staking claims.

As Mauricio Pochettino and his staff sift through hours of match footage and stats from the past 40 days, some names have soared in stock, while others have seen their international futures cast into doubt. Here’s a closer look at whose stock rose and whose slipped during this pivotal tournament.

Stock Up: Malik Tillman Seizes His Moment

Malik Tillman USMNT vs Haiti

If this was Malik Tillman’s audition for a leading role in the USMNT, then he nailed every scene. The PSV midfielder emerged as the creative engine of the team, showing off his elite technical ability and composure under pressure. With a hand in goals in nearly every match, he proved he’s not just a squad player—he’s a starter.

“Malik is one of the quietest guys you’ll meet, but his play does the talking,” said veteran Tim Ream. “He’s leading by example, and that’s powerful.”

Tillman was instrumental throughout the group stage and knockout rounds. His combination of vision, ball control, and ability to find space in crowded areas made him a consistent threat. The quiet confidence he displayed is likely to carry over when the regular starters return.

Stock Down: Matt Turner Benched and Bypassed

This was meant to be a comeback tournament for Matt Turner, but instead it raised more questions about his future with the national team. The Crystal Palace goalkeeper never saw the pitch, with Matt Freese instead starting all six games.

Turner handled the situation with class, mentoring Freese from the sidelines. But make no mistake: his lack of minutes for both club and country is concerning.

Pochettino’s message seemed clear—game time matters. If Turner is to hold on to the No. 1 shirt for the World Cup, he needs to find a club situation where he can play regularly. Otherwise, the door is wide open for Freese, Zack Steffen, or even Patrick Schulte.

Stock Up: Diego Luna Becomes a National Star

Perhaps no player captured the imagination of U.S. fans quite like Diego Luna. The Real Salt Lake playmaker, affectionately dubbed “The Moon Man,” turned heads with his fearless style, precise passing, and big-game impact.

Luna had five goal involvements during the tournament, tying Tillman for the team lead. Whether it was slicing through Guatemala’s defense or lifting the U.S. over Costa Rica, Luna showed he belongs.

His energy, creativity, and relentless work rate give the USMNT something it often lacks—unpredictability. He may not be a guaranteed starter yet, but he’s put himself squarely in contention.

Stock Down: Johnny Cardoso’s Unfortunate Campaign

Saudi Arabia v United States – Gold Cup 2025

This Gold Cup was supposed to be Johnny Cardoso’s moment to cement a place in the squad. Fresh off a move to Atletico Madrid, the expectations were high. But a combination of injury and underwhelming performances saw him fade into the background.

After two poor outings in warmup friendlies, Cardoso managed just 11 minutes of Gold Cup action. While he still has time to rebound in upcoming camps, he missed a key opportunity here. The jury remains out on whether he can translate club success into consistent international performances.

Stock Up: Chris Richards Emerging as a Leader

Chris Richards’ ascent has been one of the more reassuring developments for the U.S. defense. Already penciled in as the team’s top center-back, Richards used this Gold Cup to show he’s also ready for a leadership role.

“I don’t need the armband to lead,” Richards said. “We need more than one voice on the pitch, and I’m ready to be one of them.”

His calm presence, vocal leadership, and defensive solidity throughout the tournament solidified his status. Richards isn’t just a lock for the World Cup squad—he’s quickly becoming one of its most important figures.

Stock Down: Mark McKenzie Misses His Shot

Mark McKenzie came into the Gold Cup with a real chance to push into the starting XI. But with Ream and Richards locking down the central defense, McKenzie found himself on the fringes.

His only appearance came in a heavy defeat to Switzerland, and he wasn’t able to put his stamp on the tournament. With Ream showing no signs of slowing down and others like Miles Robinson and Auston Trusty also in the mix, McKenzie’s pathway to a starting spot just got murkier.

A Camp of Questions and Clarity

With the Gold Cup now in the rearview, Pochettino has a clearer sense of his player pool heading into the final stretch before the World Cup. For players like Luna, Tillman, and Richards, the tournament represented a major leap forward. For Turner, Cardoso, and McKenzie, it’s back to the drawing board.

The journey to 2026 continues, but the message from this summer is clear: the standard has been set. Now it’s up to the players to keep up or get left behind.