Last month, following the selection of a squad loaded with MLS players by U.S. men’s national team coach Mauricio Pochettino for preparation matches against Japan and South Korea, he indicated that the forthcoming rosters would include more European-based players.
On Thursday, Pochettino fulfilled that promise by recalling key players such as Weston McKennie from Juventus, Tanner Tessmann from Lyon, Cameron Carter-Vickers from Celtic, and Mark McKenzie from Toulouse for their first appearances since March.
As the MLS Cup playoffs approach, just 10 of the 26 players selected for the upcoming friendlies against Ecuador on October 10 and Australia on October 14 are from MLS.
Star player Christian Pulisic, who played a pivotal role in the 2-0 victory over Japan, returns seemingly at the peak of his career. The 27-year-old attacker currently tops the Serie A charts in Italy for both goals and assists.
Also included in the roster is Tim Weah and left-back Antonee “Jedi” Robinson, who missed out on national team appearances since November due to injury, but has since been recognized as U.S. Soccer’s male athlete of 2024.
Additionally, Pochettino marked the comeback of Aidan Morris from Middlesbrough after a year-long absence, and James Sands, who has been on loan at Bundesliga’s St. Pauli since Pochettino took charge in September 2024, returns to the lineup.
Veteran goalkeeper Matt Turner, who featured in all four matches during the 2022 World Cup, is also back after being left out last month following his transfer from Lyon to New England Revolution.
Lastly, Brenden Aaronson, who had limited playtime during the Concacaf Gold Cup, has earned a call-up as he continues to be a regular starter at Leeds United.
Notably absent from the selection are players such as Johnny Cardoso, Sergino Dest, and Ricardo Pepi due to injuries, plus Giovanni Reyna and 2022 World Cup captain Tyler Adams.
Pochettino is expected to discuss the decision regarding Adams’ absence during a conference call with reporters on Thursday, as he shared insight from Austin where he observed Nashville SC claim victory in the 2025 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
Both Australia and Ecuador are currently ranked within FIFA’s Top 25 and have secured places in the upcoming summer’s 48-team soccer event, co-hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
The complete U.S. roster is as follows:
Goalkeepers: Chris Brady, Chicago Fire; Matt Freese, NYCFC; Patrick Schulte, Columbus Crew; Matt Turner, New England.
Defenders: Max Arfsten, Columbus Crew; Cameron Carter-Vickers, Celtic; Alex Freeman, Orlando City; Mark McKenzie, FC Toulouse; Tim Ream, Charlotte; Chris Richards, Crystal Palace; Antonee Robinson, Fulham; Miles Robinson, FC Cincinnati.
Midfielders: Brenden Aaronson, Leeds; Diego Luna, Real Salt Lake; Weston McKennie, Juventus; Aidan Morris, Middlesbrough; Cristian Roldan, Seattle Sounders; James Sands, St. Pauli; Tanner Tessmann, Lyon; Malik Tillman, Bayer Leverkusen.
Forwards: Patrick Agyemang, Derby County; Folarin Balogun, AS Monaco; Christian Pulisic, AC Milan; Tim Weah, Marseille; Haji Wright, Coventry City; Alex Zendejas, Club América.
