Cavan Sullivan, 16, headlines Mauricio Pochettino's first USMNT roster since World Cup; no Christian Pulisic

Mauricio Pochettino will conduct his first U.S. camp since the World Cup with 13 players who've never appeared in a senior national team match. He summoned eight teenagers, including 16-year-old Cavan Sullivan , and 13 figures from the summer campaign that captured American hearts before a calamitous exit. And he sets forth on his second act — at least for this 16-day assembly — without his most famous player, Christian Pulisic, who has played sparingly for AC Milan since recovering from his World Cup injuries. On Thursday, Pochettino named 28 players to a squad that will have friendlies against Peru on Sept. 26 in Orlando, Chile on Sept. 29 in St. Louis, Mexico on Oct. 3 in Greater Phoenix and Canada on Oct. 6 in St. Paul. Camp will open Monday at the national training center outside Atlanta. The face of the program entering the World Cup, Pulisic failed to meet heightened expectations amid injuries throughout the summer. He did not score in four appearances and departed the 4-1 loss to Belgium in the Round of 16 early in the second half with what was later diagnosed as a bone bruise and micro-fracture in his lower right leg. Ac Milan's American midfielder #11 Christian Pulisic reacts during the UEFA Europa League 1st round day 1 football match between Ac Milan and Benfica at the San Siro Stadium in Milan on September 16, 2026. (Photo by Marco Bertorello / AFP via Getty Images) MARCO BERTORELLO via Getty Images Since returning to Milan's regular workouts last month, Pulisic has made two recent appearances as a sub as he seeks to work his way into new coach Ruben Amorim's good graces. Aside from Pulisic, World Cup starters Weston McKennie and Folarin Balogun were ruled out of this camp because of injuries, while veterans Tim Weah and Brenden Aaronson were not selected. "This is the beginning of a fresh start for everyone and we are excited in these first matches to bring a group of experienced players along with some young talents who have great potential," Pochettino said in a written statement. "It will be important that they all understand our culture, our way of working, and of course the principles of how we want to play. Most importantly, they must show the commitment to representing the country in the way our fans deserve." Pochettino is scheduled to address Pulisic's absence during a media call later Thursday. Last week, Pochettino suggested he would select a mix of regulars and novices for the start of the four-year cycle leading to the 2030 World Cup. He kept his word, calling up familiar faces such as Tyler Adams, Matt Freese, Antonee Robinson, Chris Richards, Sergiño Dest, Alex Freeman, Sebastian Berhalter, Malik Tillman and Gio Reyna. Midfielder Yunus Musah, a 2022 World Cup starter, will return to the squad after being left off this year's team. Pochettino also opened the door to a fresh wave of players from the youth national teams, including Sullivan, who, in 23 Major League Soccer matches for the Philadelphia Union, has posted six goals and 11 assists — the most in the league by an American and two behind MLS leader Lionel Messi. He had two goals and an assist in a 5-0 rout at San Diego on Sunday and has helped fuel Philadelphia's 10-game unbeaten streak since the World Cup break. The midfielder, whose 17th birthday falls on Sept. 28, is set to join Premier League power Manchester City when he turns 18. Pochettino also chose two of Sullivan's Union teammates, 18-year-old Neil Pierre, a 6-foot-5 center back, and right back Frankie Westfield, 20; Red Bull New York's dynamic teenage tandem of midfielder Adri Mehmeti and forward Julian Hall (nine goals, five assists); and Orlando City's Justin Ellis, a 19-year-old forward with 10 assists. From overseas, European-based wingers Mathis Albert, 17, Zavier Gozo, 19, and Cole Campbell, 20, will seek to make their debuts. The average age of this squad is 22 years and nine months, more than four years younger than the World Cup roster. The youth and inexperience extends to the goalkeepers. Aside from Freese, Pochettino picked Chris Brady, the World Cup third-stringer who has played once for the senior squad, plus Diego Kochen and Brian Schwake, who have not played for the U.S. USMNT roster Goalkeepers : Chris Brady (Chicago Fire, one cap), Matt Freese (New York City, 19), Diego Kochen (Lyngby, none), Brian Schwake (Nashville SC, none). Defenders : George Campbell (West Bromwich Albion, one), Sergiño Dest (PSV Eindhoven, 44), Alex Freeman (Villarreal, 22), Peyton Miller (New England Revolution, none), Neil Pierre (Philadelphia Union, none), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace, 40), Antonee Robinson (Fulham, 58), Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati, 41), Auston Trusty (Celtic, 10), Frankie Westfield (Philadelphia, none). Midfielders : Tyler Adams (Bournemouth, 58), Mathis Albert (Borussia Dortmund, none), Sebastian Berhalter (Middlesbrough, 18), Zavier Gozo (Crystal Palace, none), Adri Mehmeti (Red Bull New York, none), Yunus Musah (AC Milan, 47), Brooklyn Raines (New England, none), Gio Reyna (Strasbourg, 43), Malik Tillman (Bayer Leverkusen, 35). Forwards : Cole Campbell (Elversberg, none); Justin Ellis (Orlando City, none), Julian Hall (Red Bull New York, none), Ricardo Pepi (PSV Eindhoven, 42), Cavan Sullivan (Philadelphia, none).