The door has only just closed on the U.S. men's national team's January camp, but the next door is already starting to squeak open. It never ends. The moment one gathering ends, preparation begins for the next, and, in the USMNT's case, that next gathering comes with a trophy opportunity.
The USMNT will turn its focus to March's CONCACAF Nations League finals, a far more significant event than this January camp. Mauricio Pochettino's team will play Panama in a semifinal on March 20. The U.S. has excelled in this competition since its inception, and it will offer Pochettino his first shot at silverware.
Previous coaches Gregg Berhalter and interim boss B.J. Callaghan both secured trophies, and Pochettino will be expected to follow suit.
In terms of roster, most of it picks itself, although that does depend on availability. Several USMNT regulars face fights against time to be fit for this competition, while others will need to turn their club situations around to be in contention. Transfers could still impact this in a major way, too.
Pochettino said after Wednesday's victory over Costa Rica that he and his staff would be immediately traveling to Europe to watch Americans abroad in advance of the Nations League semifinal in March.
“We're going to see different clubs that are in Europe, players who can be involved in March,” he said. “Then come back here and do things here. Open plan, because there could be circumstances that change. Go to Europe and then back again here to prepare for the next competition - that is going to be nice and really important for us.”
So who could be in the March Nations League squad? Which players are on the outside looking in? Which January camp stars will feel like they could and should be in the mix for Pochettino's next team? GOAL takes a look.