Gaga Slonina says his primary goal is to be the U.S. men's national team starter in time for the 2026 World Cup
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Slonina sets sights on World Cup spotGoalkeeper explains Pochettino expectationsCurrently on loan at BarnsleyGetty ImagesWHAT HAPPENED?
For years, Slonina has been hailed as one of the brightest young goalkeepers in the world, which is what prompted Chelsea to sign him following his breakthrough with the Chicago Fire. Slonian is currently on loan at League One side Barnsley, having spent last season adjusting to European soccer while on loan with Eupen in Belgium.
Slonina has starred for the U.S. youth teams and has earned one cap with the senior team but, with the World Cup less than two years away, Slonina's main goal is to take a major leap up the depth chart. The 20-year-old goalkeeper wants to compete with the rest of the pool to take the starting spot, which has been held by Matt Turner.
AdvertisementGettyWHAT SLONINA SAID
"For the 2026 World Cup, I think every goalkeeper has the goal to be the starter for that," Slonina said on the CBS Sports Golazo Network. "So that's definitely my goal, and what I'm going to be working towards until that moment. That's the most important personal goal."
Getty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE
The USMNT is reportedly set to enter a new era under Mauricio Pochettino, and Slonina may begin with a leg up. He has previously played under Pochettino, albeit briefly before Chelsea loaned him to Eupen last summer.
There's a familiarity there, and Slonina knows what to expect under the Argentinian manager.
"Camps are going to be tough for sure, because he's a guy that pushes his players to work off the field," Slonina said. "How you train is how you play, and I think that's the mindset he goes into it.
"He's a very tactical-minded coach, so I think it's going to be difficult to adapt to that and everything, but the players will take it on. There are class players with the U.S. men's national team. So it's going to be a change for sure, but one that we will be able to adapt to."
WHAT NEXT FOR THE USMNT?
The U.S. is set to play a pair of friendlies in September, their first since this summer's Copa America disappointment. Up first will be a match with Canada on Sept. 7 before they face New Zealand three days later.
