Jack McGlynn’s return to the U.S. men’s national team gives Mauricio Pochettino another midfield option before a competitive test against Haiti. U.S. Soccer announced on November 7, 2026, that the Stoke City midfielder would replace Gio Reyna, who withdrew through injury, in the squad for the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals.
The change keeps the roster at 25 players ahead of matches in Miami on November 14 and Cincinnati on November 17. It also creates a selection question: how should Pochettino distribute the midfield’s creative responsibilities without Reyna?
According to the federation’s McGlynn roster announcement, the 23-year-old arrives with five goals and two assists in 11 appearances for Stoke, including goals in three consecutive matches. That form strengthens his case for involvement, although his call-up does not establish a starting role.
Pochettino’s challenge is to turn that momentum into a clear assignment within a midfield that must create chances, retain possession and protect the defense.
McGlynn Arrives With Form And International Experience
McGlynn is already familiar with the demands of tournament soccer under Pochettino. He has made 13 senior international appearances, contributing two goals and two assists, and featured in all six U.S. matches at the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup. That included a substitute appearance in the Americans’ 2–1 group-stage victory over Haiti.
That experience matters during a short international window. A replacement player has limited time to absorb instructions, establish combinations and demonstrate readiness. Previous involvement can make those conversations more efficient, even when the surrounding lineup changes.
His recent scoring also gives Pochettino something concrete to evaluate. The question is how those contributions fit the national team’s requirements. A midfielder producing goals at club level might be asked to operate deeper internationally, provide support around the penalty area or enter from the bench when the match opens up.
The coaching staff therefore needs to separate form from function. McGlynn’s club production supports his selection; the needs of the team should determine where and when he plays.
Replacing Reyna Requires A Shared Creative Plan
A roster replacement does not automatically mean a direct positional exchange. Pochettino can redistribute Reyna’s intended responsibilities among several players rather than asking McGlynn to reproduce every element of another midfielder’s game.
The November squad announcement includes Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie and Malik Tillman, alongside younger options such as Mathis Albert, Santiago Castañeda and Adri Mehmeti. Christian Pulisic and Folarin Balogun are also available among the forwards.
One possible approach would place McGlynn in a supporting midfield position, with another player receiving closer to the striker. That arrangement could provide an additional passing option during buildup while preserving a presence between Haiti’s midfield and defense.
Another option would reserve him for a later phase of the match. If Haiti begins defending deeper, introducing a fresh midfielder could help the United States circulate possession and sustain attacks without immediately committing another forward.
These are tactical possibilities, not confirmed selections. Their value depends on the connections around McGlynn: who offers a short pass, who stretches the opposition and who remains behind the ball when an attack breaks down.
The most effective adjustment would make those responsibilities clear before kickoff.
Midfield Balance Must Support The Attack
The temptation after losing a creative player is to add attacking talent elsewhere. That can work, but only when the team retains enough structure to recover possession and prevent counters.
If Pochettino selects several players who want to move toward the penalty area, someone must remain available behind them. Otherwise, a blocked pass or loose touch can leave the defense exposed before the midfield has time to recover.
For McGlynn, positioning could be as important as the final pass. Offering a safe outlet allows an attack to restart without forcing the ball into a crowded area. Staying connected to a teammate also gives the United States a better chance of contesting the next possession.
This relationship between attacking output and collective stability also underpins the discussion of Houston’s defensive problems. Productive individuals still need a team structure that limits the cost of losing the ball.
Against Haiti, the United States should aim to attack with enough support that a failed move does not immediately become a dangerous transition in the opposite direction.
The Previous Haiti Meeting Offers A Warning
The most recent encounter provides a useful reminder that possession and attacking pressure do not remove the need for concentration.
U.S. Soccer’s review of the 2025 Haiti match recalls a 2–1 American victory on June 22, 2025. Malik Tillman opened the scoring, but Louicius Don Deedson equalized after intercepting an attempted pass from goalkeeper Matt Freese. Patrick Agyemang eventually scored the winner in the 75th minute.
That sequence highlights the importance of support during buildup. When a goalkeeper or defender receives under pressure, midfielders need to offer passing angles that are both visible and usable. Simply standing nearby is insufficient if an opponent can block the route.
The lesson should not be to avoid building from the back altogether. It is to recognize when the short option is available and when a more direct pass is appropriate.
McGlynn’s contribution could therefore be assessed through the decisions preceding an attack as much as its final action. Helping the team escape pressure cleanly would allow more dangerous players to receive in better circumstances.
Haiti’s previous performance also argues for patience. The United States cannot assume an early goal will settle either match.
Miami And Cincinnati Present Different Match Situations
Both legs will take place in the United States, but they retain different home designations. Haiti’s first leg was moved from Sabina Park in Kingston, Jamaica, to Nu Stadium in Miami, while the USMNT’s home leg remains at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati.
The federation’s venue announcement explains that Concacaf approved an exceptional hosting arrangement following a request from the Haitian Football Federation because of the ongoing security situation in Haiti.
| Match | Date | Venue | Kickoff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haiti vs. United States | November 14, 2026 | Nu Stadium, Miami, Florida | 4:30 p.m. ET |
| United States vs. Haiti | November 17, 2026 | TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio | 7 p.m. ET |
The three-day interval makes preparation and adjustment important. Pochettino will have the opportunity to assess which midfield combinations worked in the opening match, but limited time to make substantial changes.
McGlynn’s role could differ between the legs. A team protecting an advantage needs different decisions from one trying to recover a deficit. Even if the personnel remain similar, the timing of forward runs and the appetite for difficult passes may change.
McGlynn’s Opportunity Depends On Decisions Under Pressure
The most useful measure of McGlynn’s window will be how consistently he helps the midfield function. Goals and assists would be valuable, but they are only part of the assessment.
Pochettino will need midfielders who recognize when to accelerate a move, when to retain possession and when to support the player defending a transition. Those decisions can determine whether the forwards receive useful service or spend long periods waiting for the ball.
Reyna’s absence creates an opening, but McGlynn does not need to solve every creative problem himself. He needs to perform an identifiable role that complements the players around him.
If he can carry his club confidence into disciplined international performances, this late call-up could become more than emergency cover. The immediate priority, however, is specific: help the United States manage two competitive matches, create enough chances and advance past Haiti.