For players on the U.S. men's national team , the FIFA World Cup roster finish line is in sight.
The games have largely been played. The puzzle pieces have been identified. Now all that is left is for manager Mauricio Pochettino to decide how best they fit together.
That isn't as easy as it sounds, even though Pochettino has been in charge for 20 months now.
It's not just how different personalities and styles mesh together, but the injury bug -- a constant companion for this group, and one that has claimed the likes of Patrick Agyemang and Johnny Cardoso -- has a way of scuttling the best-laid plans.
Yet Pochettino has to move forward, and he has only about a week to paint his final roster picture.
Some names have been etched in stone for a while now, even as the U.S. boss has stressed that no one's spot is guaranteed. The players on the bubble?
Not so much.
Beside their names is one of those giant erasers you used in grade school.
Those decisions will no doubt be the most gut-wrenching.
Back in March, Pochettino himself said, “I am suffering two months in advance.” That discomfort will only increase between now and the roster announcement Tuesday.
Until then, here's how the USMNT depth chart is playing out.
Freese will be in the squad, that much is certain, but has he done enough to hang on to the starting spot?
The answer to that question depends on how much recent club form matters.
Freese's goals prevented mark in MLS this season was lagging for a while but has surged to 1.41.
It's still behind that of his primary competitors, however.
One gets the sense that the job is still his, but the final two USMNT friendlies will likely decide matters.
Turner has made a late push to supplant Freese as the U.S. No. 1.
At least that was before last Wednesday, when he misplayed a back pass and gifted a goal to Nashville SC 's Warren Madrigal .
He has still played a huge part in New England's impressive start to the season -- currently tied for second in the Eastern Conference -- with a goals prevented mark of 5.47 that ranks fourth in the league and a save percentage of 74.3% that ranks third among MLS keepers with more than 500 minutes played. He also has previous World Cup experience.
We'll see if that is enough to move Turner into the starting spot.
Brady's solid play during the first three months of the MLS season, as well as the good impression he has made among the USMNT staff, has seen him creep into the No. 3 spot.
Securing a place on this World Cup roster would make for a solid jumping-off point to claim a starting role in the next cycle.
Shaka Hislop debates whether Chris Richards will be fit to play at the World Cup for the USMNT.
The torn ankle ligaments that Richards sustained last weekend have U.S. fans holding their collective breath, especially since Palace manager Oliver Glasner said Richards is “50-50” to play in the UEFA Conference League final May 27.
The hope is that Richards will heal in time to play in the World Cup. His experience of playing in arguably the top league in the world, as well as his ability, make him indispensable.
A groin injury cast a smidgen of doubt as to whether Ream would be on the roster, but he went 90 minutes twice in a row before getting last Saturday off, so that part seems settled. As for whether Ream hangs on to his starting spot, that is a different question.
His performances in upcoming friendlies will go a long way toward providing that answer.
McKenzie's solid season with Toulouse makes him a lock for the squad.
He's also among those who could step into the starting lineup if Pochettino decides to look at other options besides Ream.
McKenzie's previous appearances for the USMNT have been spotty, so he'll need to raise his game a notch or two to excel at the World Cup.
A nagging groin injury -- is there any other kind? -- looked set to undermine Robinson's push to make the squad, but like Ream, he has managed to get consistent playing time in recent weeks, so he looks set to be part of the 26-player squad.
There would be poetic justice in that given he missed out on the 2022 World Cup due to an Achilles injury.
Trusty needed to find some consistent play at Celtic if he was to cement his spot on the roster, and he found it, playing a huge role in the Bhoys' late surge to the Scottish Premiership title.
Now he has a chance to see if he can use that momentum to propel himself into a bigger role with the USMNT.
Dest's recovery from a hamstring injury he suffered in March is among the most positive developments for the U.S. He remains one of the team's attacking wild cards, which should prevent opponents from focusing all of their attention on the likes of Christian Pulisic .
The extent to which Pochettino trusts Dest's defensive ability will determine whether he's in the starting lineup.
Robinson has resumed his place in Fulham's starting XI, but he still doesn't look to be quite at the same level he was the previous season.
That said, he's set to be a mainstay at the World Cup, and with Dest on the other flank, provides another weapon for the U.S. attack.
Freeman's spot on the roster was never much in doubt, but he needed to get a few more minutes on the field with Villarreal to solidify things.
Several starts in the past month satisfied that requirement, and now he can look forward to the World Cup with confidence.
Arfsten appears to be the primary backup to Robinson on the left side, even as he has seen time in midfield for his club.
His attacking prowess -- as evidenced by his four goals and four assists so far this season -- isn't in doubt.
The defensive side of his game is, and Pochettino will need to decide whether Arfsten can hold up at World Cup level.
Jeff Carlisle breaks down Tyler Adams' strong performance for Bournemouth against Manchester City.
Adams' injury history is such that you want to encase him in bubble wrap for the rest of the season.
Yes, Adams is that important to the USMNT's fortunes given his range and tackling.
He's almost there in terms of getting through the remainder of 2025-26 unscathed. After this weekend, he can focus his attention on World Cup matters.