Why U.S. Soccer should watch Olympic players for national team retool

Reconsidering coach Gregg Berhalter as the leader for this team heading into the 2026 World Cup cycle is one thing, but taking a long, hard look at the roster and talent pool is arguably more important.

The U.S. Men's Olympic team is a squad of misfits made up of former USMNT players, MLS veterans and stars from the Under-23 U.S. Youth Team. Some have earned previous senior team call-ups, but most haven't gotten the long-term nod to develop at the top level.

Having been left out of the Copa America squad, there's potentially a chip on each of their shoulders to prove their quality in Paris for future USMNT appearances.

Most of them spend their club seasons on high-quality European teams. For example, Gianluca Busio and Tanner Tessmann play starting minutes at Italian Serie A side Venezia and Paxten Aaronson, younger brother to USMNT member Brendan Aaronson, plays at German Bundesliga side Frankfurt.

21-year-olds Kevin Paredes and Griffin Yow will be two wingers to keep an eye on in Paris, as they would be future substitutes for, or even natural successors to, Christian Pulisic and Gio Reyna.

And despite a slight drop in talent level when it comes to the competition at the Olympic tournament, the quality of play will still be high enough to battle-test U.S. players against teams like France - who happens to be the American's opening opponent.

Whoever the next USMNT coach is, they must consider newer, hungrier talent to compete with a squad that has appeared complacent and unmotivated in its biggest moments to date.