The United States’ remarkably durable veteran is making his case for Mauricio Pochettino’s World Cup squad with 500 days to go before the big show kicks off on home soil

On Saturday in Fort Lauderdale, Mauricio Pochettino leads the United States in his fifth match in charge of the aspirational co-hosts of the next World Cup. All of his star players are absent. But the mandate remains the same: prepare the program for a history-making run when the US launch their cause in Inglewood.

Given the present timing – the US are set to host friendlies with Venezuela and Costa Rica outside of an official Fifa window – Pochettino’s third camp is a youth-driven affair, defined by hopeful talents with an outside chance of making the World Cup team. Potentially, a few could break in. A handful of positions in particular need are worth studying closely: center-back, goalkeeper, an understudy at full-back or two. In light of the team’s needs, not to mention the laudable staying power of one particular veteran, a pivotal figure to observe in this off-window affair is that of 37-year-old center-back: Tim Ream.