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‘U.S. Against the World’: Introducing the Players of the new HBO Documentary
HBO Sports Documentaries produced multi-part series on USMNT in lead-up to 2026 FIFA World Cup
Here’s a breakdown of the 15 players highlighted in the docuseries:
After making his senior USMNT debut in 2017, Adams became a mainstay with the squad culminating in a stellar 2022 year where he was named captain of the World Cup team and U.S. Soccer Male Player of the Year. Despite battling injuries over his career, he has recorded 52 international caps and made over 200 appearances for various American and European clubs.
Born in Germany, Tillman competed in the German Youth National Team system before switching to compete with the U.S. in 2018. The midfielder made his USMNT debut in 2024, a year after joining MLS side Los Angeles FC from Germany’s Greuther Fürth. Tillman competed in the USA’s final match of 2025 against Ururguay, contributing to the third and fourth goals in the 5-1 win.
Nicknamed “Captain America,” Pulisic has become one of the most dominant American strikers since his debut in 2016 at just 17 years old. The AC Milan forward is in the top-25 of all-time USMNT appearances with 84 caps while ranking fifth in goals scored with 32. He recorded one goal and two assists in the teams 2022 FIFA World Cup run in Qatar.
Balogun, coming from Nigerian, English and American descent, chose to compete with the United States and made his international debut in 2023. Since then, the striker has recorded eight goals and four assists in 25 caps while scoring 20 goals across all competitions for French side AS Monaco.
Known as the “Swiss Army Knife” of the team for his versatility, McKennie has competed with the USMNT every year since his debut in 2017. The midfielder has recorded 12 goals and seven assists in 64international appearances and started every match of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Robinson, also known as “Jedi” for his love of Star Wars, has been a key part of the USA’s backline over the last few years. The defender was born in England before moving to New York where he competed with the U.S. Youth National Team before joining the senior team in 2018. He was named the 2024 U.S. Soccer Male Player of the Year after starting all 11 matches played that year.
The reigning 2025 U.S. Soccer Male Player of the Year, Richards heads into 2026 coming off an impressive year for both club and country. The defender has become a staple in the English Premier League with Crystal Palace FC, helping win the FA Cup and Community Shield. The 25-year-old started at the center of defense for the U.S. in every game on the way to the 2025 Gold Cup Final, a tournament where he scored twice.
One of the tenured veterans on the team, Ream is heading into his 17th year with the USMNT. The center back has tallied 80 caps since his debut in 2010 and played every minute of the 2022 FIFA World Cup along with Robinson and Adams. Ream has nearly two decades of professional experience in the U.S. and England and currently competes with MLS club Charlotte FC.
Coming up through the youth ranks and appearing in two youth FIFA World Cups, Dest made his senior debut in 2019, the same year he was named U.S. Soccer Young Male Player of the Year. He has earned 37 caps since then, returning in September 2025 after tearing his ACL the year before. The defender currently competes with PSV in his birth country of the Netherlands.
Another 2022 FIFA World Cup attendee, Turner made two of his 27 career clean sheets in the tournament. The New England Revolution goalkeeper was named MLS Goalkeeper of the Year in 2021, the same year he made his senior international debut. Turner has since led the USMNT through multiple tournaments including the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup and the 2023–24 CONCACAF Nations League, which the USA won.
One of the newest additions to the USA goalkeeper squad is Matt Freese. The 27-year-old netminder made his professional debut in 2019 with MLS club Philadelphia Union before joining New York City FC ahead of the 2023 season. After competing with the United States at the youth level, Freese earned his first senior call-up in January 2025. He recorded three clean sheets in 13 caps last year.
Born to U.S. national team players Claudio and Danielle Reyna, Gio Reyna grew up in the USA youth ranks and scored 16 goals in 31 appearances. He made his senior debut in 2020 after earning the U.S. Soccer Young Male Player of the Year award earlier in the year. He has recorded nine goals and six assists in 36 caps and was named the Best Player of the 2023–24 CONCACAF Nations League.
Younger brother of Timmy Tillman, Malik was also raised and played in Germany before switching citizenship to the United States in 2022. The midfielder made his USMNT debut that year just after his 20th birthday and has since recorded 28 caps. His first two international goals came during the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup in the 5-0 win against Trinidad and Tobago.
Aaronson was also a part of the 2022 FIFA World Cup squad, and he started all three group stage matches. The midfielder has tallied nine goals and seven assists in his 57 international appearances since his first cap in 2020. That same year, he was named to the MLS Best XI after helped the Philadelphia Union to the Supporters’ Shield and the club’s first trophy. He has since moved to England’s Leeds United, where he has 14 goals in over 100 appearances.
One of the younger guys on the squad, 22-year-old Luna had a breakout year for the USMNT in 2025. He recorded four goals and four assists in 17 appearances last year, including both goals in the 2-1 win over Guatemala in the 2025 Gold Cup semifinal. After two strong seasons with USL Championship side El Paso Locomotive, Luna transferred to Real Salt Lake in a league record deal in 2022. He was named MLS Young Player of the Year in 2024 and was an MLS All-Star in 2024 and 2025.
