Having already qualified for the 2026 World Cup as co-hosts, the United States Men’s National Team is in need of quality competition in the run-up to the tournament, as every potential fixture provides necessary opportunities for chemistry building. During the upcoming window, the schedule makers have brought forth a challenging and somewhat fresh duo of opponents, inviting the Asian powers of South Korea and Japan for a pair of friendlies. The former program opens the series and should possess a stern
test, having punched a ticket for next summer and looking to improve on a fourth-place finish in 2002. The match is set for Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey, a 25,000-seat soccer-specific stadium with a locally grown Kentucky Bluegrass surface.
This is the eighth all-time meeting between the two nations, with the USMNT on the wrong side of a 2-3-2 record yet winning the most recent match in a 2014 friendly (2-0). Ranked 23rd internationally by FIFA, South Korea qualified for the World Cup with an undefeated run (6-0-4) to finish atop Group B in the Asian Football Confederation’s third round, dispatching Jordan (2-0, 1-1), Iraq (3-2, 2-0), Oman (3-1, 1-1), Palestine (0-0, 1-1), and Kuwait (3-1, 4-0). 태극전사 (Taegeuk Warriors) claimed second place at the summer’s EAFF E-1 Football Championship, defeating China (3-0) and Hong Kong (2-0) before falling to Japan (0-1).
Back for his second tenure with the national team, Hong Myung-bo was appointed to the manager position in July of 2024 after “a five-month wait” following the firing of Jürgen Klinsmann. The 56-year-old retired defender is considered one of the best players in Asian footballing history, winning the Bronze Ball at the 2002 World Cup. With experience at domestic sides Hangzhou Greentown and Ulsan HD, he has already inspired some controversy due to the nature of his departure from the latter side and accusations lobbed at Bayern Munich over injury protocol.
Myung-bo named a 26-player roster for the window that also includes a friendly against Mexico. The domestic K League 1 is home to nine of the call-ups, while 10 talents compete at European clubs and two are on the books in Major League Soccer. Notable absences are Hwang Hee-chan, Kwon Kyung-won, Cho Yu-min, Joo Min-kyu, Na Sang-ho, and Yang Hyun-jun. Hwang In-beom was “dropped due to a calf injury” and replaced by Seo Min-woo.
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GOALKEEPERS (3): Kim Seung-gyu (FC Tokyo), Jo Hyeon-woo (Ulsan HD), Song Bum-keun (Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors)
DEFENDERS (9): Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich), Kim Moon-hwan (Daejeon Hana Citizen), Seol Young-woo (Red Star Belgrade), Lee Myung-jae (Daejeon Hana Citizen), Lee Tae-seok (Austria Wien), Kim Ju-sung (Sanfrecce Hiroshima), Byeon Jun-soo (Gwangju FC), Kim Tae-hyeon (Kashima Antlers), Lee Han-beom (Midtjylland)
MIDFIELDERS (11): Lee Jae-sung (Mainz 05), Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain), Park Yong-woo (Al-Ain), Paik Seung-ho (Birmingham City), Kim Jin-gyu (Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors), Lee Dong-gyeong (Gimcheon Sangmu), Bae Jun-ho (Stoke City), Park Jin-seob (Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors), Jeong Sang-bin (St. Louis City), Jens Castrop (Borussia Monchengladbach), Seo Min-woo (Gangwon FC)
FORWARDS (3): Son Heung-min (Los Angeles FC), Oh Hyeon-gyu (Genk), Oh Se-hun (Machida Zelvia)
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Myung-bo typically utilizes a 4-2-3-1 formation and instills an “efficient brand of football” that manages to rely on a “U-shaped” build-up and press without covering too much ground. He prefers having “two defensive midfielders and pushing the wingers deep into the attacking area,” putting an onus on individual players to attempt a breakthrough. When starting with the ball deep, his teams have the centre-backs “drop wide and deep” with the intent of playing short passes but also enjoy the green light to “go long.” The attacking group can be left on an island and forced to operate quickly with tight overlaps and combination play in order to create opportunities.
Jo Hyeon-woo featured in all but one match during the third round of World Cup qualifying and presumably will continue to serve as the number one through next summer and beyond, “emerging as a savior” on the biggest stages. The 33-year-old Ulsan HD goalkeeper has claimed the 2020 AFC Champions League, the past three K League titles, eight consecutive K League Best XI selections, and last season’s Most Valuable Player award. Standing at six feet, two inches tall, he is able to both pull off impressive acrobatic saves and control his box, whether claiming crosses or cutting off angles and employing kick saves. Stopping penalties is something of a specialty, enabling him to employ his quick reflexes and agility when shifting into a position from which to cover all four corners of the net.
At six feet, three inches tall, the imposing Kim Min-Jae is a leader on the line with an influential presence during the build-up, regular header wins, and disruption of the opponent’s advances. The 28-year-old Bayern Munich centre-back is “technically assured, positive in possession, physically strong, and pacy,” with one writer artfully describing him as “turning a patch of turf into his personal fortress.” Considered a major talent on the brink of a breakthrough, Kim Ju-sung of Sanfrecce Hiroshima has a lot of momentum with a goal and an assist in three recent appearances and opens up the field as a left-footed player. He provides “solid distribution in the build-up and vision” and is “quite athletic,” boasting a “robust physical presence” and “reeking of confidence” in his “press-resistant” actions.” Normally a midfielder, Park Jin-seob of Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors has been dropping deeper into the formation but maintaining his clean touch on the ball and solid one-on-one shutdowns. His wide-ranging movement and ability to read the opponent’s machinations are incredibly useful: shouldering away opponents, stepping into lanes, and making disrupting sliding challenges with pinpoint accuracy.
Lee Myung-jae spent a quick half season on the books at Birmingham City and made three appearances in League One before signing with Daejeon Hana Citizen over the summer, briefly becoming a “late-blooming player in Europe.” He tends to pinch inwardly and operate safely on defense, seeks to get involved during the build-up, and looks to play the right pass that will spark the transition. Seol Young-woo is a constant presence in the lineup as a “modern day utility player,” who can either rely on his background as a winger when pushing forward or pace and strength to avoid getting beaten in one-on-ones. The 26-year-old Red Star Belgrade fullback combines well with teammates and has a sense for the right moments, showing a preference for hitting a ball to a checking forward and cutting centrally to receive the return of the give-and-go. For another option, Lee Tae-seok of Austria Wien is a front-foot attacker who dribbles up the touchline, creates chances, and plays regular crosses from the wing while also registering appealing heading and interception numbers. Capable of deploying as a forward, Target Scouting described him as “quite physically strong” with “a strong first touch” and an ability to “break lines,” using his “ultra-aggression” in direct systems.
Al-Ain’s Park Yong-woo covers large amounts of ground when deployed as a six, an eight, or at centre-back, utilizing his mobility to facilitate possession and neutralize threats. At six feet, two inches tall, he can engage in the physical side of the game but is better known for his long-range distribution with constant attempts to change the point of the attack with driven switches. Lee Jae-sung of Mainz contributed seven goals and eight assists last season in the Bundesliga, described as a “magician” with “technical sharpness” and an intense work rate to contribute on defense. The veteran presence from Ulsan makes tight turns out of pressure, has the pace to break out on the counter, and is comfortable operating across the width of the field. Paik Seung-ho elected to stay with Birmingham City after enduring relegation and successfully led the Blues back to the Championship with “maestro” performances but desires to increase his production. His play is defined by “sharpness” as a composed and energetic presence in the double pivot, registering constant tackles, interceptions, and successful headers while wielding heavy influence in the build-up. Lee Dong-gyeong of Gimcheon Sangmu deploys at a few different roles and produced a “stunning opener” against China at the EAFF E-1 Football Championship, carrying over his strong domestic form. The prolific attacker is in the midst of mandatory military service and described as “box office” with the pace, dribbling technique, precision heading, and powerful finishes that get the crowd roaring.
Los Angeles FC’s Son Heung-min is the star of the program, capable of lining up in a few spots but mostly deploying on the wing with evasive dribbling and intelligent distribution through crowded areas. However, the nine-time Best Footballer in Asia is best known for his scoring touch with 51 senior international goals coming from poised shooting, well-timed headers, and composed conversions off intuitive movement. Lee Kang-in is praised as a “great crosser of the ball and a dead ball specialist,” carving through opponents with tight combinations with teammates or quick, cutting runs that utilize his “quick feet.” The 24-year-old Paris Saint-Germain attacker tends to drift centrally and serve as a set-up player instead of the final touch but will occasionally slot home a cultured left-footed finish. Bae Jun-ho has been lauded by media as the “King of Stoke,” quickly ascending to a starting role after landing with the Staffordshire club in the summer of 2023 and displaying a hard-working style. With “technical gifts and tactical maturity,” his progressions from his own half into the advanced zones are a series of twists, turns, and dips, weaving with precision through various lines before dishing or making a curling attempt at the top of the box.
South Korea is still searching for the right player at the tip of the formation, with Oh Se-hun picking up the most starts during qualifying and scoring key goals against Iraq and Kuwait. The 26-year-old Machida Zelvia forward has benefitted from “training at a high intensity,” with “the speed and the strength” to keep up with opponents but noting a need to “be more selfish.” At six feet, four inches tall, he “often finds [himself] with his back to the goal” and serves as a facilitator for teammates while also working hard on defense with ruggedness in duels. His physical nature leads to him engaging in constant shoulder-to-shoulder battles with defenders, with his primary movement involving checking back and heading the ball down to a midfielder. Oh Hyeon-gyu is considered a “new Korean star,” bringing a combination of “aggressive pressing, movement in the box, and clutch finishes and impressing with his determination and physicality.” His production has been steadily ticking upward, demonstrating impeccable timing to get onto the end of crosses and a general sense to find space in tight areas.
The USMNT is coming off an interesting summer, showing improvement and better cohesion at the Gold Cup but failing to take home the trophy. With less than a year until the World Cup, quality opposition is at a premium, and South Korea should provide a strong test for Mauricio Pochettino. With several talented players battle-hardened by an intense qualifying schedule, the visitors can be expected to come away with a narrow victory, but friendly results are difficult to predict.
The match is scheduled for Saturday, September 6th at 5:00 p.m. Eastern, 2:00 p.m. Pacific. Viewing options include TNT, Telemundo, Max, Universo, Peacock, and FUBO TV (free trial).
