USMNT teen Cavan Sullivan could make his senior debut as Mauricio Pochettino turns to youth against Peru

ORLANDO — After spending the week with a new wave of U.S. soccer prospects, after the morning workouts, personal meetings and bonding exercises highlighted by singing performances some much better than others — coach Mauricio Pochettino has gained a better understanding of his youthful roster. It’s to the point where he seems confident enough to throw many of them into the first U.S. match since the World Cup, a friendly against Peru on Saturday afternoon. Given the short amount of time leading to the first of four tests over 11 days, many veterans are better positioned to start. But with 11 subs permitted and Pochettino’s desire to integrate players at the start of the cycle leading to the 2030 World Cup, the U.S. is sure to have a young look for much of the match. Specifically, the fan base are eager to see 16-year-old forward Cavan Sullivan, who, if he gets onto the field, would become the youngest to make his USMNT debut since Freddy Adu, also 16, in 2006. Based on Cavan’s breakout season with the Philadelphia Union, “he's ready, but the rest of the players too are ready,” Pochettino said Friday. “Of course, we are going to mix a little bit with some new players — or young players — with senior players. That’s important, that mix [and] hope that that works. In the rest of the game too; that is our idea.” Speaking on the group at large, Pochettino added, “We are in a very good place. Talking about Cavan, he's doing really well in Philadelphia, and that's why he's here. He's mature enough on the field to be there and to compete.” Sullivan — a youth international more than two years into his pro career that will take him to Manchester City when he turns 18 — was among a dozen players invited to their first senior camp. Cavan Sullivan, 16, would be the youngest player to debut for the U.S. since Freddy Adu in 2006 if he appears against Peru on Saturday. Taylor Banner/USSF via Getty Images Sullivan seems to fit in well with the established players. “He's very quiet. I think he's probably a little nervous,” said World Cup defender Alex Freeman, who, at 22, is older than 12 of his 27 teammates. “He's very driven. He wants to be able to get better. … His ceiling is going to be [over] the roof, knowing he's already succeeded in MLS. Now, what can you do with the national team? How can you come in and make an impact?” Sullivan has not been made available for interviews during camp but is expected to talk about his experiences once he has debuted. The Americans will also play Chile on Tuesday in St. Louis, Mexico on Oct. 3 in greater Phoenix and Canada on Oct. 6 in St. Paul. Sullivan and the other young players are vying to not only earn callbacks for the full senior camps in November and March, but continue making their mark ahead of the 2028 Olympics, which is largely limited to players 23 and under. Olympic coach Steve Cherundolo, who has attended this senior gathering, is expected to conduct a U-23 camp later this year. “They are showing their real talent because they have an amazing capacity and quality,” Pochettino said. “The energy was amazing. It was really contagious. … After talking to them, you feel younger. It’s true, it’s true! … It’s very nice to feel that. It’s [been] a long time since I felt this way working with a group of players. That is amazing for us, for the present and the future.” Pochettino’s first aim was getting to know the new players; he had never met some. “What they like, what they don't like, how they are, how they live, how the families are,” he said. Then he learned more about their approach to the game and where they fit into the team. “It's so important too that they need to know what we expect from them,” Pochettino said. Pochettino also monitored body language. He said he asks players, “You are ready?”  A player might vocalize affirmatively but subtly shake his head side to side as well, Pochettino demonstrated in his news conference at Inter&Co Stadium. He called the mix of young and older players “very organic and natural now after a few days.” He added, “It's a group of players you don't feel that someone is [here] for the first time or someone who has 100 caps. That is an important thing. Of course, the younger [players] show tremendous respect to the senior players. They are humble enough to listen, but also the senior players are so good in the way they treat the young kids and because they also show respect to them. When the respect is reciprocal, that is the best way to build an excellent relationship.” Justin Ellis, a 19-year-old forward for Orlando City in his first camp, said last week that Gio Reyna, who is just 23, was his favorite player growing up. “It does make you feel a little bit old,” Reyna said this week. After being reminded of his own comment Friday, Ellis was a little embarrassed. But then he said, Reyna has been “so good to me. … We see the game in a similar way. We both love playing with the ball. I think we can connect really well when we're on the field. He's really taking me under his wing.”