The United States men’s national soccer team is turning the page, and the September international break is the first step toward what promises to be a pivotal year. On August 26, 2025, head coach Mauricio Pochettino unveiled a 22-player roster for upcoming friendlies against South Korea and Japan, marking the squad’s first matches since a painful Gold Cup final loss to Mexico on July 6. The list, brimming with surprises and notable omissions, has set tongues wagging across the American soccer landscape.
At the center of the roster drama stands Christian Pulisic, the AC Milan star and America’s most decorated attacking player. After skipping the Gold Cup—a move that drew sharp criticism from pundits and fans alike—Pulisic returns to headline the squad. The decision to welcome him back wasn’t always a given. Pochettino, appointed less than a year ago, had previously stated that no player’s spot is guaranteed, especially after the Americans’ defeat to Mexico. “We didn’t talk with Christian. I think we have nothing to talk [about]. I think this is behind us, all that happened in the summer,” Pochettino said during Tuesday’s announcement. “Now, we need to look forward. We have a plan for every single player. The plan for Christian now is to call [him], to see him in this camp and of course hope he arrives in a good condition, fresh … and ready to compete.”
The so-called spat between coach and star player seems to have fizzled out faster than many expected. Pulisic, who has played over 100 matches for AC Milan since joining from Chelsea—where he won the UEFA Champions League in 2021—led Milan in scoring last season and recently found the net in an Italian Cup win over Bari. His return to the national team was always likely, given the looming prospect of a home World Cup. “The plan for Christian now is to call [him in] and to see him in this camp, and of course hope that he arrives in good condition,” Pochettino reiterated, emphasizing a forward-looking approach.
The September roster, however, isn’t just about Pulisic. It includes several players who were omitted from the summer Gold Cup run, such as Norwich City forward Josh Sargent and Club América winger Alejandro Zendejas. Gold Cup breakout performers like Matt Freese and Diego Luna also make the cut, signaling a blend of experience and fresh faces. The inclusion of uncapped talents—goalkeeper Roman Celentano and defender Noahkai Banks—suggests Pochettino is keeping his options wide open as he shapes the team for next summer’s World Cup.
But with every inclusion comes a glaring omission. The absence of regulars like Weston McKennie, Johnny Cardoso, Mark McKenzie, Yunus Musah, Gio Reyna, Antonee "Jedi" Robinson, Joe Scally, Matt Turner, Haji Wright, and Walker Zimmerman has raised eyebrows. Some, such as Antonee Robinson and Malik Tillman, are nursing injuries and could return in October, but others are healthy and simply left out. McKennie’s omission is particularly noteworthy. A mainstay since debuting against Portugal in 2017, the Juventus midfielder’s preseason was cut short by his club’s involvement in the FIFA Club World Cup. “We wanted to give [McKennie] the possibility to be more settled in his club, to be in his best form,” Pochettino explained. The coach’s message is clear: no one, not even the veterans, has a place for sure.
Gio Reyna’s situation is also worth watching. The Bedford, New York native, who debuted for the U.S. senior team in 2020 and has 32 caps with at least 7 goals and 5 assists, recently transferred from Borussia Dortmund to Borussia Mönchengladbach. His new contract, which runs through 2029, is expected to provide more playing time and potentially boost his World Cup roster chances. “Borussia are a fantastic, big club. I’m delighted that the transfer has been able to be completed and am looking forward to getting to know everyone here, as well as tackling the upcoming games together,” Reyna said in his new club’s August 23 release. Pochettino, too, is optimistic about Reyna’s future: “I am so happy, because I think he’s happy. If he’s happy, for sure he has the talent to perform. If he performs, it’s going to be good for the national team.”
The September camp is more than just another set of friendlies—it’s a crucial audition as the U.S. faces a ticking clock. There are only four international breaks left (September, October, November 2025, and March 2026) before the World Cup kicks off on June 12, 2026, at SoFi Stadium in Southern California. The tournament, co-hosted by the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, will feature an expanded field of 48 teams, making squad depth more important than ever.
Pochettino has already summoned more than 60 players since taking charge, and the competition for a spot on the final 26-man roster is fierce. “No one has their place assured. That is my message for everyone,” Pochettino declared. “They need to fight because it’s an open system. We suffered a lot of injured players in the summer and need to be ready because maybe a week before announcing the roster before the World Cup, some problem arrives and I think it’s fair to have different players with the possibility of them to fight and know they have the possibility to be on the roster.”
The current roster features a mix of established names—like Tyler Adams, Tim Weah, and Sergiño Dest (returning from a torn ACL)—and rising stars such as Diego Luna, Sebastian Berhalter, and Sean Zawadzki. The goalkeeping situation is especially intriguing, with Matt Freese returning after his Gold Cup heroics, joined by uncapped Roman Celentano and Jonathan Klinsmann, the son of former U.S. coach Jürgen Klinsmann. Notably absent are Matt Turner, Zack Steffen, and Patrick Schulte, who have been mainstays in recent camps.
Still, the squad has faced criticism for lacking quality and experience, especially with so many regulars omitted. The September friendlies against South Korea and Japan, both already qualified for the World Cup, will provide a stern test. The U.S. faces South Korea in New Jersey on September 6 and Japan in Columbus, Ohio, on September 9. Further friendlies against Ecuador and Australia are scheduled for October, giving Pochettino more chances to evaluate his options.
As the deadline for the final World Cup roster approaches, every camp, every match, and every training session takes on added significance. Pochettino’s willingness to shake up the squad, reward form, and demand competition ensures that nothing is set in stone. For players like Pulisic, Reyna, and McKennie, the message is unmistakable: reputations alone won’t secure a ticket to the world’s biggest stage. For the newcomers, opportunity knocks louder than ever.
With anticipation building and the World Cup on home soil just months away, the U.S. men’s national team embarks on its September friendlies with plenty to prove and everything still to play for.
