Pochettino’s goalkeeper – With the 2026 World Cup starting next Thursday, USMNT greats are openly puzzled by Mauricio Pochettino’s choice to swap goalkeepers after just 45 minutes against Senegal—playing Matt Turner first, then turning to Chris Brady, while projected starter Matt Frees
One week before the 2026 FIFA World Cup begins, the USMNT’s message on the field is clear—perform in front of home crowds. What’s not so clear is how manager Mauricio Pochettino plans to sort out the team’s most consequential position.
The tournament schedule is already set: Mexico and South Africa kick off next Thursday. and Canada and the United States open their campaigns the day after. In the middle of that countdown. the USMNT has leaned on friendly matches to build rhythm—yet the goalkeeper rotation has sparked frustration from former players who believe the lineup should be tightening. not shifting.
During the team’s friendly against Senegal, Matt Turner started the match. Then, at halftime, Turner was replaced by Chris Brady, a 22-year-old who made his national team debut. The switch was notable. but for USMNT legends. it created a question they say shouldn’t exist this late in the preparation cycle.
Tim Howard, a former USMNT goalkeeper himself, said he’s “very confused” by what Pochettino did. In Howard’s view, the minutes matter—especially for the goalkeeper he believes is supposed to be in line for the World Cup.
“My big concern is, LD, and I’ve said this all along: That was 45 minutes. Matt Freese desperately needs [playing time]. Matt Freese has 14 caps. This is a guy who I think can start in the World Cup. or at least Pochettino has led me to believe he could start in the World Cup. Those 45 minutes for Matt Freese are far more important to the team than whether [Chris] Brady plays… It’s bizarre, I don’t know,” Howard said.
Howard’s frustration centers on a single point: Matt Freese, described here as the projected starting goalkeeper at the World Cup, reportedly didn’t get any playing time during that friendly.
Taylor Twellman, another former USMNT forward, echoed the reaction in sharper language, saying, “I’m very confused by it all”. In Twellman’s view, the rotation may be undermining the clarity the team needs at this stage.
The concern that hangs over the decision is simple: if Freese isn’t fully settled as the starter in Pochettino’s mind. then Turner—who has already played in the match against Senegal—should be splitting time with Freese. not handing the spot over to Brady. who Howard and Twellman’s comments implicitly suggest is unlikely to play in the tournament.
That leaves the next friendly as the clearest test left before the World Cup begins. The USMNT’s next match will be against Germany on June 6—its final friendly before the tournament. For Howard’s concerns to cool down, the expectation is that Freese gets the field early and keeps it.
If Freese plays all 90 minutes against Germany, it should “cement his spot as the starter for the tournament,” Howard said.
USMNT Mauricio Pochettino Tim Howard Taylor Twellman Matt Turner Chris Brady Matt Freese 2026 World Cup Germany friendly Senegal friendly
Why swap keepers after 45 minutes like that? Just pick one.
I’m sorry but this feels like they’re messing around right before the World Cup. If Freese is the guy, why is he not playing more? Also who even is Chris Brady—did I miss something?
Tim Howard saying he’s “very confused” makes sense… but I also think maybe Pochettino is trying to prove something in case of injury? Like Turner got pulled so Brady must be the starter now? I dunno, the article says Freese needs minutes too, so it’s confusing.
This is exactly why people don’t trust soccer coaches. They act all serious about 2026 and then do a halftime goalie shuffle vs Senegal like it’s a practice scrimmage. Next week they’re playing Mexico/South Africa kickoff stuff and they’re still “sorting out” the most important position? Seems backwards to me, but what do I know.