A new era has arrived for the U.S. men's national team.
With Mauricio Pochettino signing an extension through the 2030 World Cup, the new cycle has the same coach as the old one, but that doesn't mean everything will look the same.
The USMNT is set to play its first four matches after the 2026 World Cup
, with Peru, Chile, Mexico and Canada the opponents in the newly expanded September-October FIFA window.Pochettino has to decide how to balance his roster for the four-match window. Does he attempt to turn the page and bring in a host of young up-and-comers? Stick with a squad primarily made of World Cup players? Or mix things up?
The good news for Pochettino is that he may be able to do a bit of both. With four games on the agenda, the Argentine
has room to call in a large squad and give some minutes to nearly every player.
Let's project how the USMNT's roster may look when it comes out on Thursday, Sept. 17.
Goalkeepers: Matt Turner, Matt Freese, Chris Brady, Diego Kochen, Brian Schwake
The three World Cup keepers return, but there are still many questions about the depth chart after Freese's unfortunate blunder against Belgium in the round of 16. Could Turner or Brady get a chance at the No. 1 shirt? It seems certain there will be at least some rotation over the four games.
We think Pochettino will give Schwake his first shot after his hugely impressive season with Nashville SC. The 25-year-old has statistically been among the best MLS goalkeepers all campaign, continuing a rapid rise in his first year as a starter.
Kochen has also impressed with Danish Superliga club Lyngby, where he's received his first taste of senior minutes while on loan from Barcelona.
Defenders: Alex Freeman, Sergiño Dest, Antonee Robinson, Tim Ream, Chris Richards, Mark McKenzie, Joe Scally, Auston Trusty, Peyton Miller, Frankie Westfield, Neil Pierre
Pochettino should take the chance to call in some of the top performing young Americans defenders in MLS, which may see Philadelphia Union duo Westfield and Pierre rewarded with maiden call-ups. Revolution outside back Miller is also more than deserving after putting up five goals and four assists as an 18-year-old.
There will also be some veteran holdovers to help guide the youngsters. Ream certainly falls into that category, with the Charlotte center back still useful not only on the pitch, but also as a mentor for the likes of the raw-but-talented Pierre.
Other World Cup holdovers like Freeman, Dest, Robinson, Richards, McKenzie and Trusty are in line for a return after starting the club season playing extended minutes. Out of that group, only Freeman hasn't been a consistent starter early in the season.
Noahkai Banks would have been here if he hadn't once again turned down Pochettino's overtures, as the Augsburg center back continues to wrestle over his international future.
Midfielders: Tyler Adams, Malik Tillman, Gio Reyna, Tanner Tessmann, Yunus Musah, Johnny Cardoso, Sebastian Berhalter, Adri Mehmeti, Niko Tsakiris
Weston McKennie appears likely to miss the roster with injury, but several mainstays should be on the squad including Adams, Tillman and Reyna.
After missing the World Cup squad, there should be room for Lyon's Tessmann on this roster. Musah also deserves a recall; his resurgence with AC Milan has been one of the biggest stories — maybe the biggest — when it comes to Americans abroad in the early season.
Calling Mehmedi up here looks like a no-brainer. The 17-year-old has been an ever-present with the New York Red Bulls this season and looks like a future USMNT starter at holding midfield — maybe sooner than later.
Tsakiris is another young MLS player that has shown he's worthy of a look. The San Jose Earthquakes midfielder has been one of the premier playmakers in the league this season.
Gianluca Busio was making a push for a recall, but the Venezia captain is set for a spell on the sidelines with an injury.
Forwards: Christian Pulisic, Tim Weah, Ricardo Pepi, Brenden Aaronson, Cavan Sullivan, Julian Hall, Justin Ellis
This position, like the others, looks likely to be a combination of mainstays and newcomers. The headliner should be 16-year-old Sullivan, who has been playing at a MVP level for the Philadelphia Union over the past few months. The most exciting American prospect in years looks ready to help the USMNT right now, despite his age.
Hall started the season in sensational form, but hasn't scored since May. Still, at 18, he appears to have a major future with the USMNT and is worth a look — especially with Poland continuing to lurk.
Ellis has also burst onto the scene with Orlando this season. The 19-year-old operates as a playmaking No. 9, and already has 10 assists in MLS play since breaking through with the senior team earlier this year.
With Pulisic, Weah, Pepi and Aaronson, Pochettino will have a solid mix of veterans to help guide the MLS teenagers through their first USMNT camp.
Two players not on this list are Folarin Balogun and Zavier Gozo. Balogun has yet to play for Monaco this season after a failed transfer to Everton and a minor knee injury. It may be more beneficial for him to stay back with his club.
The same goes for Gozo, who is still finding his way at Crystal Palace. The 19-year-old will get his maiden USMNT call-up soon, but his priority should be finding a way to earn more playing time with his new club.
USMNT roster prediction September-October
Goalkeepers: Matt Turner, Matt Freese, Chris Brady, Diego Kochen, Brian Schwake
Defenders: Alex Freeman, Sergiño Dest, Antonee Robinson, Tim Ream, Chris Richards, Mark McKenzie, Joe Scally, Auston Trusty, Peyton Miller, Frankie Westfield, Neil Pierre
Midfielders: Tyler Adams, Malik Tillman, Gio Reyna, Tanner Tessmann, Yunus Musah, Johnny Cardoso, Sebastian Berhalter, Adri Mehmeti, Niko Tsakiris
Forwards: Christian Pulisic, Tim Weah, Ricardo Pepi, Brenden Aaronson, Cavan Sullivan, Julian Hall, Justin Ellis
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: USMNT projected September-October roster: Pochettino takes on new era
