USMNT prodigy puts Mauricio Pochettino on notice as solution to ‘massive’ Landon Donovan concern

The Mauricio Pochettino era as USMNT manager has already yielded exciting results.

While the Argentine’s first international break included a disappointing loss to Mexico, the second saw the United States win both games of their CONCACAF Nations League semi-final against Jamaica.

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The second leg in particular would have had American fans salivating as Pochettino’s side led 3-0 at halftime.

But despite the growing enthusiasm, the new head coach has at least one real problem to solve.

Speaking to Tim Howard on their ‘Unfiltered Soccer’ podcast, American legend Landon Donovan outlined the problem facing Pochettino.

“Goaltending is a major concern for me, we don’t have anyone playing consistently at a high level right now and I would say, who absolutely just said, that’s my spot,” Donovan said.

Matt Turner has started each of Pochettino’s four games in charge and although he has made a few decent saves, he still looks shaky when it comes to parrying shots from dangerous areas and with the ball at his feet.

Legendary goalkeeper Howard agreed with Donovan’s assessment and pointed to the lack of consistency in Turner’s club football as one reason for his struggles.

“A lot of our goaltenders aren’t getting the best minutes right now, I think a few of them are being overlooked,” Howard noted.

Turner has really seen his club career stall in recent years after signing for Arsenal in 2022. Brought in as a back-up option, he ended up making seven appearances in total for the Gunners, none of which came in the Premier League.

In pursuit of first-team football, the 30-year-old joined Nottingham Forest last season and immediately opened the campaign as in goal. But it didn’t last.

Too many errors ultimately led to Matz Sels stealing his job, with Turner forced to watch from the bench for the final 16 games of the Premier League season.

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This summer he was on the move again, this time leaving Forest for Crystal Palace. This was another disappointment for Turner. With Dean Henderson firmly entrenched as Palace’s first-choice goalkeeper, the American is just a back-up for his third club in a row.

Whether the lack of consistency in the first team is affecting him or he’s simply not good enough, it’s clear the United States need a long-term answer in goal.

Enter Gabriel “Gaga” Slonina.

At just 20 years old, Slonina is raw and needs time to develop, but he currently has the highest goalkeeping ceiling that Pochettino has, already earning the honor of being the youngest goalkeeper to play for the USMNT.

After an impressive debut campaign with the Chicago Fire, Slonina signed with Chelsea in 2022 before spending time on loan with Belgian side Eupen.

This season he left Stamford Bridge again temporarily to join Barnsley on loan in League One.

Unfortunately, his development in the English third division did not go as well as many would have hoped. After starting the season as the first-choice goalkeeper, Slonina followed a promising first month with weeks of inconsistency.

Slonina was eventually dropped and he still hasn’t managed to regain his place. Of course, for someone so young, growing pains are natural, but for Pochettino and the USMNT’s future hopes, they need to see more of Slonina.

On the plus side, the bumps in the road haven’t dampened his confidence.

Speaking earlier this week, Slonina reaffirmed his internal belief and warned his new boss Pochettino.

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“I want to be the starting goalkeeper for the men’s national team. I think that’s a goal I’m going to aim for,” he said with confidence.

“I will work my best and I want to realize this vision that I have in mind. I’m just going to work my best to be the starting goalie, be part of this team and make history with the United States.

Slonina will need better form and more consistent football if he is to achieve his own goals, but there is no doubt that Pochettino will have his eye on the youngster over the next 18 months leading up to the World Cup in residence.

Time is on Slonina’s side and he has the belief to take him far in the brutal world of football. This is clear from his bold decision to leave MLS and join Chelsea, and it remains clear in his latest comments.