The transfer window in major European leagues has closed, marking a busy period for American footballers worldwide. Ahead of the 2026 World Cup on home soil, these moves were crucial for members of the United States men`s national team, as they need to be in environments that foster their maximum potential and secure their place in Mauricio Pochettino`s plans. However, not all deals were equally successful, and some Americans who needed a new club couldn`t find one. Let`s examine how the summer transfer window impacted the prospects of USMNT hopefuls:
Yunus Musah
- Former club: Milan
- New club: Atalanta
- Transfer: Loan for $4.7M fee with an option to buy for $28M
After Milan announced early in the summer that Yunus Musah was not in the club`s plans, it took him quite a while to find a new home, eventually landing at Atalanta on deadline day. If this deal had taken place last season under Gian Piero Gasperini, expectations for Musah at the club would be different. The former Atalanta manager significantly improved many players and transformed the club into a European contender. Ivan Juric, the current coach, has already struggled at the start of the season, drawing with Parma and Pisa – teams Atalanta would typically be expected to defeat. Musah can help the club if he hits the ground running, but there are enough concerns surrounding Atalanta that this situation could quickly turn sour.
Grade: Incomplete
Brenden Aaronson Stays at Leeds United
Brenden Aaronson was a mainstay in the lineup with Leeds United, helping them achieve promotion. However, much like their previous stint in the Premier League during the 2022-23 season, he is not a regular starter now that they`re back in the top flight. With only 80 minutes played across three matches, Aaronson is far off the pace from a season that saw him score nine goals and assist two more in the Championship. It`s not surprising that Leeds looked to retool their lineup to avoid relegation from the Premier League, but if he doesn`t play more, it will be tough for him to get a chance at breaking into the World Cup squad. Aaronson has already been on the outside looking in at Pochettino`s squad, and lack of playing time will not help his cause.
Grade: D
Paxton Aaronson
- Former club: Eintracht Frankfurt
- New club: Colorado Rapids
- Transfer: Permanent transfer for $7M
Paxton Aaronson`s move to the Colorado Rapids was a bit of a head-scratcher. He had a chance to break into the rotation for the Frankfurt squad and potentially play in the Champions League. But instead, he opted to move to Major League Soccer, where he will be a designated player for the Rapids. At only 22, this move doesn`t necessarily end his European career, and there could have been underlying reasons for his decision. Being a starter in MLS can be better than being a backup in Europe, but this transfer should still be viewed with the aim of getting Aaronson back to Europe, where he would be a starter for a club.
Grade: C
Josh Sargent Stays at Norwich City
During the summer, Josh Sargent was linked with Wolfsburg and a move back to the Bundesliga, but the transfer window has closed, and he remains at Norwich City. He has responded in the best possible way, scoring in five consecutive matches and accumulating six goals in just five appearances. As the most in-form striker in the United States player pool, Sargent has become one of the best forwards in the entire Championship with the Canaries. He`ll have a chance to push them towards the Premier League, and this consistency, instead of moving to Wolfsburg, will ensure that at least some players aren`t fighting for playing time at new clubs ahead of the World Cup. Sargent will still need to break through for the USMNT, but he has the ability to do it.
Grade: A
Matt Turner
- Former club: Lyon
- New club: New England Revolution
- Transfer: Loan
Moving from Nottingham Forest to France, and then back to New England, all in one transfer window – it has been a whirlwind for Matt Turner. Given the uncertainty in the USMNT goalkeeping corps, everyone who can get playing time needs to do their best to secure it, and that`s precisely what Turner did by returning to a familiar environment. It might have been better if he had secured the starting spot at Lyon, but considering the uncertainty surrounding that club, this move will also suffice. Because of Turner`s transfer, it is likely that the starting goalkeeper for the World Cup will come from Major League Soccer.
Grade: C
Malik Tillman
- Former club: PSV
- New club: Bayer Leverkusen
- Transfer: $41M
With Florian Wirtz reportedly moving to Liverpool, Bayer Leverkusen supposedly needed a new number 10 to orchestrate their attack. Malik Tillman, moving from PSV, seemed like a natural fit, especially given his prior stints with Greuther Furth and Bayern Munich before leaving Germany. However, after only two matches, his manager, Erik ten Hag, was reportedly fired. Given that the coaching change occurred early in the season and Tillman had already scored a goal for the club, this might not be the worst thing to happen to the American, but it is far from optimal. Tillman has been left out of the USMNT squad and will have time to reach 100% fitness, but even with a coaching change, he will be expected to be a central figure in Leverkusen`s plans going forward.
Grade: Incomplete
Tim Weah
- Former club: Juventus
- New club: Olympique Marseille
- Transfer: Loan with obligation to buy
Having never truly broken into the first team starting XI with Juventus, Tim Weah will have a fresh start in France with Marseille. A major pro of this move is that he will be able to play more as a forward under Roberto De Zerbi. Weah is an important member of the national team setup, so it`s beneficial for him to play his national team position at his club. Every USMNT member needs to play as many minutes as possible, and Weah will be playing for a club still participating in European soccer while getting to improve as a player.
Grade: A
Johnny Cardoso
- Former club: Real Betis
- New club: Atletico Madrid
- Transfer: $34.8M
A midfielder capable of doing a bit of everything, Johnny Cardoso stayed in La Liga, moving to Atletico Madrid – a team where, in theory, he can learn a great deal from Diego Simeone. He was sought to improve their defensive options and has been a mainstay to start the season, but the beginning of the campaign has also not gone according to plan, with Atleti failing to win in their three matches played so far this season. They will need to pick up their form following the international break, or Tillman might not be the only player with a new coach, and such a situation could change things for Cardoso.
Grade: C
Gio Reyna
- Former club: Borussia Dortmund
- New club: Borussia Mönchengladbach
- Transfer: $8.7M
Gio Reyna is finally at a new club, and he didn`t even have to leave the city. A move to join Joe Scally at Gladbach is a chance for Reyna to revive his career. He will still need to earn playing time, but with a blank slate in a city he`s comfortable in, Reyna`s talent will provide him with an opportunity to earn playing time. If Reyna is starting, there`s no reason why he won`t perform at a level to get back into the USMNT ahead of the 2026 World Cup. As one of the most talented players in the national team pool, Reyna needs to be in rhythm for the USMNT to have a chance at making a deep run at the World Cup.
Grade: A
