America Males’s Nationwide Staff started the lengthy, four-year journey towards the 2030 World Cup with a victory in opposition to Peru (4-1), opening the cycle on a stable foot. The super-sized worldwide window continues as Mauricio Pochettino now leads his prices in opposition to Chile, hoping to maintain the optimism rising. The 2-time Copa América champions are far faraway from the glory years and have did not qualify for the previous three World Cups, however this is also a contemporary begin for the South American program. Energizer Park in St. Louis, Missouri – a 22,423-seat soccer-specific stadium with a Northbridge Bermudagrass floor – hosts the fixture.
That is the 12th all-time assembly between the 2 packages, with the USMNT on the improper facet of a 3-5-3 file and enjoying to a attract the newest match, a 2019 pleasant (1-1). Ranked 49th internationally by FIFA, Chile completed final in CONMEBOL’s 2026 World Cup qualifying desk with 11 factors from 18 matches. This yr, La Roja (The Pink One) have performed a slate that features a victory over Cape Verde (4-2), defeats to New Zealand (4-1) and Portugal (2-1), and a win in opposition to DR Congo (2-1). The present window opened with a loss in opposition to Canada (0-1).
Nicolás Córdova has loved a number of stints with Chile’s youth worldwide set-up and brought the interim reins on the senior stage twice, being tasked with “mapping out an bold long-term growth plan.” The 47-year-old retired midfielder additionally loved stretches main Palestino, Santiago Wanderers, Universitario, and Al-Rayyan, claiming the Copa Chile in 2017. He has acknowledged home criticism from media and followers however admits that “a change is important,” one which “doesn’t occur in a single day.”
Córdova initially named a 27-player roster (with the addition of three invited skills) for the worldwide window. The home Liga de Primera is dwelling to 10 of the call-ups, whereas 9 compete in Europe and 4 are on the books of Argentine golf equipment. Notable absences embrace Guillermo Maripán, Francisco Sierralta, Alexander Aravena, Fabián Hormazábal, Javier Altamirano, Iván Morales, and Ignacio Saavedra. Benjamin Kuscevic left camp “after struggling a muscle damage in coaching.” Lucas Cepeda and Gabriel Suazo picked up purple playing cards in opposition to Canada.
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GOALKEEPERS (3): Brayan Cortés (Argentinos Juniors), Lawrence Vigouroux (Swansea Metropolis), Christian Bravo (Huachipato)
DEFENDERS (9): Paulo Díaz (Atlanta United), Gabriel Suazo (Sevilla), Iván Román (Colo-Colo), Felipe Faúndez (O’Higgins), Marcelo Morales (Universidad de Chile), Francisco Salinas (Coquimbo Unido), Diego Ulloa (Colo-Colo), Jonathan Villagra (Colo-Colo), Thomas Coulombe (Espanyol B)*
MIDFIELDERS (11): Marcelino Núñez (Ipswich City), Rodrigo Echeverría (León), Felipe Loyola (Pisa), Vicente Pizarro (Rosario Central), Felipe Méndez (Colo-Colo), César Pérez (Defensa y Justicia), Matías Sepúlveda (Lanús), Agustín Arce (Universidad de Chile), Nils Reichmuth (Thun), Leandro Hernández (Colo-Colo), Jetzen Lopez (Braga U23)*
FORWARDS (6): Ben Brereton Díaz (Sheffield United), Darío Osorio (Crystal Palace), Lucas Cepeda (Elche), Gonzalo Tapia (Columbus Crew), Maximiliano Gutiérrez (Dynamo Moscow), Zidane Yañez (Huntsville Metropolis)*
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Córdova has utilized the 4-3-3 and 4-4-2 formations, having a choice for “tactical flexibility,” whether or not sending his crew out in transition or holding possession for longer intervals of time. He views his gamers as being “aggressive and dynamic” however needing to keep up extra management and flow into the ball. Group and self-discipline on the again are presently missing, evidenced by the spate of latest objectives being surrendered on set items and the shortcoming to forestall the counter, which could be a difficulty when making an attempt the offside lure.
England-born Lawrence Vigouroux made his Chile debut in 2025 and has rapidly moved to the number-one function, a pointy rise that has mirrored his elevation up the skilled pyramid. The 32-year-old Swansea Metropolis goalkeeper is devoted and sedulous, unbelievably helpful throughout the build-up part with a major variety of passes performed at excessive accuracy and despatched lengthy distance. He’s fast to go away his line with a view to act as a sweeper and haul crosses, using his six-four body to manage the field and lower down the angle on looming attackers. Observers notice his “calmness,” remaining unflappable and sustaining his kind and footwork when coping with short-range alternatives, even when pressured to splay out a leg for a cease.
Relative newcomer Iván Román of Colo-Colo is praised for his “unbelievable tactical studying and understanding” alongside common “contribution to attacking set-pieces,” using his “peak and velocity to assault defensive traces.” He sidesteps potential challenges with ease and doles out a couple of of his personal, instantly wanting up the sector to play a vertical cross that may spring the transition recreation. Atlanta United’s Paulo Díaz is continually throwing himself across the area and relishes a problem, sliding into hazard and displaying a fragile contact when eliminating crosses. His tempo permits him to point out up in essential moments, whether or not overlaying floor rapidly to say possession or sprinting again to chase down an onrushing attacker. Jonathan Villagra picked up the beginning within the loss to Canada and is all the time seeking to press ahead into the ultimate third whereas additionally sticking to his major duties. His lateral motion permits him to cowl giant swaths of the pitch for surgical interventions, and his short-range distribution helps his crew to work out stress.
Pisa’s Felipe Loyola controls the engine room and the sideline with a sequence of deft touches to keep away from stress whereas ready for the suitable play to a teammate, serving as a metronome and in addition the occasional artistic power. His two-way efficiency consists of allotting stern tackles in entrance of the again line and swarming lanes whereas additionally crisscrossing from one finish to the following with a view to kind fibrous connections. Felipe Faúndez of O’Higgins is likely one of the newer members of the squad, including a “regular” presence on the exterior and netting his fair proportion of objectives, together with a rocket of a volley. He takes an energetic function throughout the build-up part and is keen on the lengthy ball whereas additionally being an absolute shutdown artist and sacrificing his physique for essential blocks.
Vicente Pizarro is adept at successful the ball or receiving the cross and making a fast flip or pirouette into open house, making a fast burst of pace, and enjoying to an advancing teammate. The 23-year-old Rosario Central midfielder may maintain his personal within the ultimate third with late runs into the field, highly effective photographs from distance, or well-placed headers. Darío Osorio carries the Midtjylland imprimatur that sometimes signifies a proficient participant with the potential to be bought at a good-looking revenue, with “dribbling as a significant energy” alongside “agility, steadiness, wonderful ball management, and athleticism.” Whole Soccer Evaluation praises his method, looming as a relentless risk as a consequence of “unbelievable putting,” the potential to function within the large zones as an correct crosser, and the “capability to penetrate via the interior channels.” Rodrigo Echeverría brings crowd-pleasing electrical energy for León along with his pulse-pounding excursions to progress proceedings via the center and impactful intercessions that may be each bodily and agile. There’s additionally the flexibility to gradual issues down and methodically lead the build-up with shrewd decision-making and a willingness to make the protected determination by resetting or swinging to the wing. Felipe Méndez is equally snug in varied roles, making good forays into house and having the attention to string via a crowd to begin the transition or break down a parked bus. Córdova introduced him again into the fold after his final cap in 2023, including one other versatile and high-energy choice with the potential to decrease the temperature and push the tempo.
Maximiliano “Maxi” Gutiérrez tries to show the sport right into a showcase of his particular person skills, spinning and rolling previous defenders within the one-on-one and using all method of flicks to interrupt down the block. The Chiguayantino is all the time seeking to push the tempo and take the sport to the opponent, which features a willingness to take photographs as quickly as the chance opens. Switzerland-born Nils Reichmuth has a proactive type and can go up and down the touchline with a view to become involved, regaining possession and progressing from one field to the opposite. The 24-year-old Thun winger will drop again with a view to obtain, wins headers, works his approach via blocks, and registers low, pushed makes an attempt that skip previous the goalkeeper. Matías Sepúlveda of Lanús has loved a late begin to his worldwide profession however scored the eventual match-winner within the 2-1 victory over the Democratic Republic of the Congo with a laser of a free kick. He deploys his stepover or clear cutback when charging previous challenges and displays a excessive stage of situational consciousness with shrewd decision-making and shut management in tight conditions.
Ben Brereton Díaz has offered a couple of highlight-reel finishes for Chile, utilizing his agility to transform crosses and his pace to get behind the again line for a composed conversion. The previous England youth worldwide has the fox-in-the-box instincts to interpret the house and pounce on any out there alternatives whereas additionally sometimes drawing consideration and dishing to the open teammate. Gonzalo Tapia is equally snug main the road to offer the suitable ultimate contact and dropping again as a distributor who permits midfielders and wingers to overlap. The 24-year-old Columbus Crew ahead has a robust strike, climbs far larger than his five-ten peak suggests, and can take his time within the ultimate third to attend for the suitable second. Agustín Arce of Universidad de Chile is anticipated to develop right into a extra impactful participant, endeavoring to “let his recreation circulation on the sector” and play with the liberty to make bold selections. Observers describe his clever type as “characterised by a serenity unusual for his age, mixed with a imaginative and prescient that appears to see invisible traces on the sector” whereas “taking the ball the place nobody expects.”
With the necessity to really earn a spot within the match, the 2030 World Cup cycle might be harder than the earlier interval. A difficult pleasant schedule can pay dividends come qualifying and even perhaps assist construct chemistry whereas ramping as much as the CONCACAF Nations League. Chile has struggled to regain prominence however has the person expertise to offer a stern check.
The match is scheduled for Tuesday, September 29th at 8:00 p.m. Japanese, 5:00 p.m. Pacific. Viewing choices embrace TNT, HBO Max, Telemundo, Universo, Peacock, and FuboTV (free trial).
