A shift towards a younger squad is underway for the U.S. men’s soccer team.
On Thursday, coach Mauricio Pochettino announced a 28-player roster for upcoming home matches against Peru, Chile, Mexico, and Canada, making it the first set of games since the USA reached the round of 16 in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The roster features a blend of established World Cup players and newcomers, although star midfielder Christian Pulisic will not participate in this window.
The lineup includes 13 players from the team that advanced from its group and secured a knockout win against Bosnia and Herzegovina before losing to Belgium. Veteran names like Tyler Adams and Chris Richards are present, alongside five players who scored goals during the World Cup: Sebastian Berhalter, Alex Freeman, Gio Reyna, Malik Tillman, and Auston Trusty.
Importantly, 12 newcomers will be attending their first senior international camp at U.S. Soccer’s training facility near Atlanta next week.
Pochettino remarked, “I believe we have a solid combination of experience and youthful energy.” The squad includes seven teenagers: Cavan Sullivan (16), Mathis Albert and Adri Mehmeti (both 17), and Julian Hall, Peyton Miller, Neil Pierre (all 18), plus Justin Ellis (19).
He noted Sullivan’s impressive performance, stating, “He’s only 16, but he’s been outstanding, and he deserves his place on the national team.”
Here are my insights from the roster along with further comments from Pochettino.
### 1. Young Players Have Earned Their Spot
The absence of several World Cup starters, due to long layoffs or injuries, has allowed Pochettino to explore some of the brightest young talents in the player pool. The young athletes are worthy selections; for instance, Pierre, a notable 6-foot-7 center-back, has been consistently scoring during the latter half of the MLS season, while Hall, Mehmeti, and Miller have been regulars for their clubs throughout the season.
Although Albert has primarily been on the bench for Dortmund in early competitions of the 2026-27 season, he demonstrated his capabilities with a solid performance in a recent German Cup match. Additional 20-year-olds have also joined the camp, including winger Cole Campbell, goalkeeper Diego Kochen, and fullback Frankie Westfield.
This camp also marks the return of Yunus Musah, an AC Milan midfielder who started all four matches for the U.S. during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar but was absent from the 2026 roster. Now 23, Musah has the chance to reclaim a significant role in the midfield for this cycle.
“Yunus, like all players, has the opportunity to return,” Pochettino explained. “We are starting anew and focusing on the future.”
### 2. Results Remain Crucial
In this inaugural camp of the 2030 World Cup cycle, Pochettino has the unique opportunity to experiment more than he usually would in the upcoming four years. The recent merging of the September and October international windows by FIFA allows him to evaluate emerging talents more thoroughly during training and matches, which is a rare privilege for international coaches.
“It’s an excellent opportunity to integrate new players with potential, allowing us more time for training and cohesion,” he stated.
However, Pochettino still aims for victories, particularly in the upcoming key matches against Canada and Mexico, teams he has yet to defeat. Success is essential as the U.S. prepares for its quarterfinal matchup in the 2026-27 Concacaf Nations League, which could lead to finals in March and the Gold Cup in June, with World Cup qualifying starting next fall.
Most young players are expected to return to their youth national teams, especially those from the U-23 team under coach Steve Cherundolo, who is expected to provide several members for the 2028 Olympic team in Los Angeles. Pochettino noted that Cherundolo will be present at the camp, with a number of Olympic-eligible players included.
“A gold medal is the objective of the federation,” he emphasized.
### 3. Veterans Will Return, but Which Ones?
Pulisic is not the only veteran player absent from this roster. Matt Turner and Tim Weah, both prominent in the 2022 World Cup, have also been omitted despite regular playing time at their clubs. Additionally, 38-year-old Tim Ream, the former U.S. captain, and Premier League player Brenden Aaronson were left off.
Pulisic is 27, and Weah is 26; both are likely to return, but their longstanding roles as team leaders may see some competition from others like Adams, Richards, and Freeman, especially in Pochettino’s second tenure.
“This is a critical time for us to assess if experienced players serve as good role models,” Pochettino remarked. “They must be aware that the younger players observe everything—how they carry themselves on and off the field.”
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This roster signifies a pivotal moment for U.S. soccer, showcasing a commitment to nurturing young talent while balancing it with experienced players. For soccer fans, this blend could lead to exciting matches and a promising future on the global stage, especially with the upcoming World Cup qualifying rounds ahead.
Source: www.foxsports.com
