The roster scarcely resembles the one that lost to Belgium in July at a home World Cup that delivered both exhilarating highs and an epic crashout, and it signals a deliberate turn toward the pool's young talent as the program begins building toward 2030.
The most prominent newcomer is 16-year-old Cavan Sullivan, the Philadelphia Union winger who has a goal or assist in seven of his past eight games and who represents the next great hope of American soccer. Of the 12 uncapped players called in, 11 are 21 or under; goalkeeper Brian Schwake is the sole exception.
Christian Pulisic is absent. The winger has yet to start a game this season for Ruben Amorim's AC Milan, though his contribution off the bench helped the Rossoneri salvage a draw at Lazio this past weekend, a positive sign after he suffered a microfracture in his lower right leg at the World Cup. It is tempting to read into his omission given that Pochettino has seemingly yet to forgive him for skipping the 2025 Gold Cup to rest, but that conclusion may be premature. Pulisic's lack of club games is also a factor and probably the most pressing concern for his immediate outlook.
Folarin Balogun is likewise missing from the roster and has yet to feature for AS Monaco following the collapse of his transfer to Premier League side Everton on deadline day.
The camp carries unusual weight because it represents the only unofficial games the USMNT will play in the near future, with the CONCACAF Nations League occupying the November and March windows. That makes it imperative for Pochettino to use the four friendlies as a proving ground for the pool's young talent.
Thirteen players on the roster featured at the World Cup, among them Chris Richards, Sergiño Dest, Jedi Robinson, Alex Freeman, Tyler Adams, Gio Reyna and Malik Tillman. But these weeks will be much more about the newcomers.
Zavier Gozo, the 19-year-old who transferred this summer from Real Salt Lake to England's Crystal Palace, was the closest of the uncapped group to making the World Cup roster, and several others look like they have serious roles to play in the lead-up to 2030. In midfield, 17-year-olds Adri Mehmeti, who plays for Red Bull New York, and Dortmund's Mathis Albert count among the most promising. Yunus Musah, who fell out of favor with Pochettino after skipping the Gold Cup and was left off the World Cup roster, will get another shot here.
All four uncapped players listed as forwards — Sullivan, Justin Ellis, Julian Hall and Cole Campbell — are tantalizing as well, though with the possible exception of the Red Bulls' Hall, none profiles as the same sort of goalscoring center forward as Balogun. On defense, teenagers Neil Pierre and Peyton Miller will be closely watched. Diego Kochen, one of the USMNT's practice keepers during the World Cup, will take part in camp for real after earning a starting job for Lyngby in the Danish League.