Auston Trusty has officially been called up to the latest USMNT squad ahead of their crucial March friendlies, providing a welcome boost during a season of fluctuating fortunes at Celtic.
While the American centre-back has delivered some undeniably stellar performances in the Hoops, his overall form has occasionally mirrored the sheer chaos engulfing Celtic Park this season.
Navigating a wildly turbulent campaign defined by the turnover of three different managers and a constant barrage of off-field issues, Trusty has frequently had to anchor a defence in near-constant transition.
That immense burden was only magnified by the severe injury to his defensive partner and fellow countryman, Cameron Carter-Vickers, which regularly left Trusty managing a makeshift backline, alongside Liam Scales.
It is hardly surprising that, amidst such glaring instability, his performances have experienced the same erratic highs and lows as the club itself. Because of those unavoidable inconsistencies, he hasn’t completely cemented his place as a guaranteed starter in Mauricio Pochettino’s USMNT setup just yet.
However, retaining his place in this March squad remains a massive positive. Despite the relentless drama in Glasgow, Trusty has kept himself firmly in the international picture, moving him one step closer to securing a potential golden ticket for the 2026 World Cup on home soil.
Why do you think Auston Trusty has played his best football under Martin O’Neill this season?
How the American media reacted to Auston Trusty making the USMNT squad ahead of the 2026 World Cup
FOX Sports – The American outlet did note Trusty’s inclusion in the squad, but hinted at how the Celtic man is a back-up option by stating that, ‘the U.S. is paper-thin in central defence after Chris Richards.’
It’s clear that Trusty has a fight on his hands to make the World Cup squad and then to start because FOX Sports added:
‘Tim Ream will turn 39 a few months after the World Cup. Mark McKenzie, Miles Robinson and Auston Trusty – the other centre-backs brought in this month – have all so far failed to establish themselves as locks in Poch’s best 11.’
The man who will make the ultimate call on whether Trusty plays at the World Cup is Pochettino, who was appointed USMNT coach back in September 2024.
During that period, Celtic’s hard-hitting centre-back has played three matches, starting just once, thankfully, that start came during the USA’s latest international outing, where they smashed Uruguay 5-1, and Trusty helped himself to an assist.
But what has Pochettino said after confirming the latest USMNT squad?
“We have spent the last 18 months developing the player pool so we can be prepared to make the correct decisions for the World Cup roster, and this is another valuable opportunity,” said Pochettino.
“We must treat these games like they are a part of the World Cup, and what is most important is that the players bring the right mentality and commitment to the group.”
Those Pochettino comments on USSoccer should be music to the ears of Trusty, and perhaps a message that his place in the World Cup squad is now his to lose, given that he has been called up for these friendly matches.
AmericanSoccerNow briefly touched upon Trusty’s call and how he has been ‘up and down’ for club and country.
Meanwhile, the US version of The Guardian noted how Pochettino has ‘shifted’ to playing a back three in recent times, and Trusty will be ‘competing’ for those spots.
This is what they stated: ‘The US started to find success towards the end of 2025 after shifting to play with three centre-backs, with Richards a locked-in starter. Ream is a regular selection alongside Richards, but the 38-year-old has had a subpar start to the MLS season. McKenzie, Miles Robinson and Trusty will compete for the other spots, with Freeman and Scally capable of operating at centre-back if needed.’
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