Five Guys Fighting for One Plane Ticket to Canada

Gio Reyna is out of excuses.

Thirty-four caps. Twenty-two years old. A career defined more by what he could be than what he's been. CBS says he's starting tonight against Portugal. He'd better. Because if he doesn't take this chance at MBS, Alex Freeman — same age, 13 caps, starting every week at Villarreal — takes his spot on the plane and doesn't give it back.

That's not speculation. That's math.

Two days ago I wrote that Pochettino ran a World Cup audition and everyone failed. The Belgium tape was damning. But tonight isn't about the coach anymore. Tonight is about the players who can still save themselves.

The roster roulette, name by name:

Tim Weah got cooked by Doku at right back. Dest is out 4-6 weeks with a hamstring. If Weah can't dominate on the wing tonight, he's a man without a position 73 days before Paraguay.

Matt Turner has a save percentage under 50% in recent matches. Fifty-two caps mean nothing when Freese has already passed you. Turner's audition might already be over.

Tanner Tessmann is the sleeper. Lyon starter. Adams can't stay healthy. If Tessmann locks down the midfield tonight, he doesn't just make the roster — he starts the opener.

Joe Scally versus Alex Freeman is the real knife fight. Twenty-two caps against thirteen. Experience against trajectory. Freeman's winning.

Seventy-three days. One match left. Five careers on the wire.

Screenshot this lineup prediction: Freeman starts at right back in the World Cup opener. Tessmann starts in midfield. Reyna doesn't make the 26.

Tell me I'm wrong.