USMNT roster for big friendlies: Teenager Sullivan in, Pulisic out as Pochettino names youthful squad

Mauricio Pochettino has named his USMNT roster for September and October with Christian Pulisic left out and teenage sensation Cavan Sullivan in amid plenty of intriguing decisions. 13 players who were in the 2026 World Cup are in this 28-man roster, while 12 uncapped players have been named. Sullivan, just 16 years old, is the standout selection. He has been in superb form for the Philadelphia Union in Major League Soccer and is showing glimpses of magic each time he steps on the pitch. Sullivan has agreed a deal to sign for Manchester City when he turns 18 and the hype around him is pretty incredible as the attacking midfielder is expected to be the next big thing in American soccer. On the flip side, Pulisic has only just returned from the injury he suffered in the USA's last 16 defeat to Belgium in July at the World Cup and is just getting back to full fitness with AC Milan. Youngsters galore in attack and defense Pochettino has picked this window of games to take a closer look at plenty of talented youngsters making their names in MLS. 16-year-old Sullivan is the standout, but Julian Hall is only 18 years old and has been superb for the New York Red Bulls, while 20-year-old Cole Campbell from Bundesliga side SV Elversberg and Orlando City teenager Justin Ellis, 19, make up Pochettino's forward options alongside Ricardo Pepi. There are plenty of familiar faces in defense and midfield but youngsters Peyton Miller, Neil Pierre and Frankie Westfield get the call-up with the Philadelphia Union boasting an impressive three players 20 years old or younger in this squad. Here is the full USMNT roster for the friendly games against Peru and Chile in September and Mexico and Canada in October. USMNT roster in full GOALKEEPERS (4): Chris Brady (Chicago Fire; 1/0), Matt Freese (New York City FC; 19/0), Diego Kochen (Lyngby Boldklub/DEN; 0/0), Brian Schwake (Nashville SC; 0/0) DEFENDERS (10): George Campbell (West Bromwich Albion FC/ENG; 1/0), Sergino Dest (PSV Eindhoven/NED; 44/3), Alex Freeman (Villarreal/ESP; 22/3), Peyton Miller (New England Revolution; 0/0), Neil Pierre (Philadelphia Union; 0/0), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace/ENG; 40/3), Antonee Robinson (Fulham/ENG; 58/5), Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati; 41/3), Auston Trusty (Celtic/SCO; 10/1), Frankie Westfield (Philadelphia Union; 0/0) MIDFIELDERS (9): Tyler Adams (AFC Bournemouth/ENG; 58/2), Mathis Albert (Borussia Dortmund/GER; 0/0), Sebastian Berhalter (Middlesbrough/ENG; 18/2), Zavier Gozo (Crystal Palace/ENG; 0/0), Adri Mehmeti (Red Bull New York; 0/0), Yunus Musah (AC Milan/ITA; 47/1), Brooklyn Raines (New England Revolution; 0/0), Gio Reyna (RC Strasbourg Alsace/FRA; 43/10), Malik Tillman (Bayer Leverkusen/GER; 35/5) FORWARDS (5): Cole Campbell (SV Elversberg/GER; 0/0); Justin Ellis (Orlando City SC; 0/0), Julian Hall (Red Bull New York; 0/0), Ricardo Pepi (PSV Eindhoven/NED; 42/13), Cavan Sullivan (Philadelphia Union; 0/0)