Auston Trusty will be returning to Celtic after a positive international break.
The Celtic defender was on the bench over the weekend, as the USMNT were thrashed by Belgium in an international friendly ahead of the 2026 World Cup this summer.
But on Tuesday night, Mauricio Pochettino brought Trusty into the XI for their friendly encounter against Portugal.
Despite the USA losing 2-0 to Celtic-linked Roberto Martinez, it was a positive display from Trusty, who was given his flowers by several US pundits and former players.
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Before the March international break, Trusty had only featured once under Pochettino, so this was a huge camp for him to win over several critics.
On the domestic circuit, Celtic have been a mess, and Trusty has produced mixed performances, so in that sense, he wasn’t helping himself.
But it’s all about taking your chance when it comes, and the left-footed centre-back did that against a very strong Portugal side that were without Cristiano Ronaldo.
Former USMNT internationals Charlie Davies, Jimmy Conrad and Tony Meola were so impressed by Trusty that they feel he has now ‘made the World Cup roster’, as they told CBS Sports.
Davies: “Trusty has put in a hell of a shift.”
Conrad: “He has been good. He has upped his stock, for sure.”
Meola: “His stock has probably lifted more than anyone’s in this camp.”
Conrad: “I would agree.”
Meola: “He’s at the top or somewhere near the top of that list – my biggest positive, if you will, is that we have found another centre-back that we feel comfortable putting in.”
Conrad: “A positive, Auston Trusty.”
Meola: “Against a calibre of team like this.”
Conrad: “I think Trusty really took his opportunity and demonstrated that, ‘Hey, we do have a left-footed centre-back, who’s younger. More athletic. Covered a lot of ground. Very good in one-v-one situations.’ I think that bodes well for Auston Trusty’s future to potentially make the World Cup roster.”
Davies: “I think he made the World Cup roster, by the way, on tonight’s performance.”
Conrad: “I think he helped his cause a lot.”
Davies: “I think he made it. 26-man. He made the roster.”
Meola: “Who Trusty? Tonight, he made the roster for sure.”
Conrad: “I would be surprised if he didn’t.”
Trusty’s stats for USMNT against Portugal
This is huge for Trusty because against Belgium last time out, the Americans conceded five and a lot was made about their woeful defensive performance.
So, to bring in Trusty for the next game, and for many to think they have taken positive steps forward, despite the loss, it’s a big thing for the Celtic man.
Now it’s a case of the Brendan Rodgers signing ending the season in the strongest possible way, because Celtic need it and so does the player himself.
- Minutes played: 91 (went off with cramp)
- Touches: 66
- Defensive contributions: 12
- Tackles won: 2/2
- Clearances: 9
- Blocked shots: 1
- Recoveries: 6
- Ground duels won: 4/6
- Aerial duels won: 1/1
- Dribbled past: 0
- Passes in the opposition half: 5/7
- Successful dribbles: 1
- Was fouled: 1
- Sofascore: 6.9
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