Christian Pulisic is back with the U.S. men’s national team after missing the Gold Cup this summer. However, his fellow World Cup teammates Weston McKennie and Matt Turner are not included in the 23-player roster named by coach Mauricio Pochettino for the upcoming friendlies against Korea Republic and Japan.
Pulisic joins returning veterans like Tim Weah, Sergino Dest, and Josh Sargent as they strive for a spot in the top forward position while Patrick Agyemang is recovering from hernia surgery. Sargent, who has been in strong form at Norwich City, features prominently in this lineup.
Others such as Antonee ‘Jedi’ Robinson and Malik Tillman will stay with their clubs during the international break. McKennie has just returned from playing very few minutes in Juventus’s Serie A opener, having missed prior international commitments because of Juve’s FIFA Club World Cup entries.
Turner, on the other hand, has just returned to New England Revolution after three seasons in the Premier League with multiple clubs.
Pochettino noted, “We have a number of players just returning from injuries or who have had very limited minutes in the last couple of months, so they can take this moment to continue to build fitness and sharpness for the upcoming opportunities in the fall. We are continuing to strengthen the squad and focus on the players who can contribute to our goals at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.”
With limited international windows left, the September camp is crucial for evaluating players. Among those named, Banks and Blackmon are yet to receive caps, joining keepers Roman Celentano and Jonathan Klinsmann, son of renowned former U.S. coach Jürgen Klinsmann.
September Roster Overview:
Goalkeepers:
- Roman Celentano, FC Cincinnati (MLS)
- Matt Freese, NYCFC (MLS)
- Jonathan Klinsmann, Cesena (Italy)
Defenders:
- Maximilian Arfsten, Columbus Crew (MLS)
- Noahkai Banks, Augsburg (Germany)
- Tristan Blackmon, Vancouver Whitecaps (MLS)
- Sergiño Dest, PSV Eindhoven (Netherlands)
- Alex Freeman, Orlando City (MLS)
- Nathan Harriel, Philadelphia Union (MLS)
- Tim Ream, Charlotte FC (MLS)
- Chris Richards, Crystal Palace
Midfielders:
- Tyler Adams, Bournemouth (England)
- Sebastian Berhalter, Vancouver Whitecaps (MLS)
- Luca de la Torre, San Diego (MLS)
- Diego Luna, Real Salt Lake (MLS)
- Jack McGlynn, Houston Dynamo (MLS)
- Sean Zawadzki, Columbus Crew (MLS)
Forwards:
- Damion Downs, Southampton (England)
- Christian Pulisic, AC Milan
- Josh Sargent, Norwich City (England)
- Timothy Weah, Marseille (France)
- Alex Zendejas, Club América (Mexico)
