US coach Pochettino calls up 13 debutants — Dawn
United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino has named a 28-player squad for four friendlies against Peru, Chile, Mexico and Canada. The roster includes 13 players who have not yet made their national team debuts, while Christian Pulisic and Folarin Balogun were left out, Dawn reports.
Bet on young footballers
Pochettino is beginning a new cycle with the national team after agreeing to work with the squad through the 2030 World Cup. The upcoming matches will be the first for the American team since the home World Cup, where it was eliminated in the round of 16.
The youngest and one of the main newcomers in the squad is 16-year-old Cavan Sullivan of Philadelphia Union. In the current MLS season, he has scored six goals and provided 11 assists in 23 regular-season matches. The coach noted that the call-up will give the staff an opportunity to assess the footballer more closely and help him develop.
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Pulisic's absence and match schedule
Pulisic was not included in the squad after recently returning to action for Milan. During the World Cup, he suffered a bone bruise and a microfracture in the lower part of his leg. Pochettino explained that for these four matches, he selected players whom the coaching staff wants to see in action.
According to the Argentine coach, selection for the team in the new cycle will be based on current form and players' ability to seize the opportunity given to them, rather than only on past achievements. The United States also has the 2027 Gold Cup, the 2028 Olympics and the 2030 World Cup ahead.
On September 26, the United States will play Peru in Orlando, and on September 29, Chile in St. Louis. The match against Mexico will take place on October 3 in Glendale, while the meeting with Canada is scheduled for October 6 in St. Paul.
