United States men's national team manager Mauricio Pochettino is finalizing his squad selection for a important set of September friendlies as the program looks ahead. Pochettino plans to name a 26-player roster on or around September 17 for matches against Peru, Chile, Mexico and Canada.
The team's last competitive action was a disappointing 4-1 loss to Belgium in the Round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on July 6 at Seattle Stadium. That defeat on home soil ended the tournament run earlier than hoped. Pochettino now faces the task of steering the program toward the 2027 CONCACAF Gold Cup and the 2030 World Cup qualifying cycle, which begins next year.
Which young players are in contention?
A significant portion of the upcoming roster is expected to feature emerging talent. Sixteen-year-old Philadelphia Union prospect Cavan Sullivan is among the teenagers under consideration. He is joined by 17-year-old Adri Mehmeti of the New York Red Bulls, along with club teammates Julian Hall and Neil Pierre. Orlando City's Justin Ellis and Crystal Palace's Zavier Gozo are also in the youth cohort that Pochettino is monitoring.
The manager emphasized a cautious approach to their development. "We are very happy to have all these potential good players," Pochettino told reporters. "Only we need to be careful. When you are young, of course, you need to be confident." He warned against premature hype, stating that one of his responsibilities is to protect young players from comparisons to global stars before they are ready.
What is the schedule for the USMNT friendlies?
The team will play four matches across the United States in late September and early October. The schedule provides a quick turnaround and tests squad depth. The sequence begins with Peru in Orlando, Florida on September 26. Three days later, the USMNT faces Chile in St. Louis. An October 3 clash with rival Mexico in Glendale, Arizona follows. The month concludes with a match against Canada in St. Paul, Minnesota on October 6.
Fans can track the complete schedule and venue details on the team's fixtures page. This concentrated block of games is vital for evaluating players in a camp environment before the next official competition.
How is Pochettino managing the post-World Cup transition?
The Argentine coach, who took over the USMNT ahead of the 2026 tournament, is focused on building a stable environment. He explicitly wants to avoid "self-inflicted drama" within the camp. This philosophy extends to managing external expectations around the new generation of players.
"The balance is the most important, and one of our responsibilities is to protect these guys because sometimes if you play well and you are 17, 16 or 18, people start to talk about you are (Lionel) Messi or you are a big star in the world because you do a few good things," Pochettino explained. "If you don't manage it well, that can be dangerous for your career." His approach suggests a measured integration of youth, balancing opportunity with protection.
What happened in the World Cup Round of 16?
The 2026 World Cup ended abruptly for the hosts in Seattle. Belgium's 4-1 victory highlighted the gap the USMNT must close to compete with elite nations in knockout rounds. The match was also notable for the availability of striker Folarin Balogun, who had received a red card in the preceding Round of 32. His suspension was lifted, allowing him to feature against Belgium, though he could not prevent the defeat.
This season's squad selection and these friendlies represent the first steps in responding to that setback. Pochettino will use the matches to assess options and begin formulating his core group for the coming years. Updated player profiles and statistics are available on the team's squad and stats pages. The USMNT opens its September camp with a match against Peru at Exploria Stadium in Orlando on the 26th.
