Mauricio Pochettino has named a 28-player USMNT roster for four friendlies in September and October, and the headline is a 16-year-old: J. Sullivan. Christian Pulišić is out after only just returning from the injury he suffered at the World Cup, so this is not a routine selection call. It is a clear choice about who gets evaluated in the opening stretch of the cycle.

Sullivan's call and the roster shape

Pochettino did not hide what he wants from the window. Speaking to NBC Sports, he said: “He deserves it, he deserves all the praise he’s getting.” He also framed the group itself in plain terms: “The 28 players that are going to be involved in these four games, for different circumstances, are the best players we want see and we want to work with. That’s it.”

That selection includes 13 players from the USA’s 2026 World Cup squad and 12 uncapped players. Sullivan’s age, 16, makes him the obvious focal point, but the broader message is just as important. This is a roster built to look at new faces, with Philadelphia Union also contributing three players aged 20 or younger.

Pulisic's limited return

Pulisic’s omission looks more striking because he has only just returned to AC Milan duty. He has made two appearances off the bench in Milan’s two most recent fixtures after his injury layoff, and his most recent club involvement amounted to one appearance and 45 minutes. That is enough to show he is back in the mix, not enough to suggest he is back at full throttle.

That context helps explain why Pochettino has gone this way, even if the decision still stands out. The roster leans toward players who can be assessed over the four-game window, and Sullivan is the most obvious symbol of that approach.

Pochettino now has a squad that leans heavily into youth and depth, with 12 MLS players included. The first real test of that selection comes in the friendlies themselves, starting with a group that already tells you where his priorities are.

Written by Daniel Hartley with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 4 outlets. How we work →