There are 12 players on the roster with less than 10 caps as Mauricio Pochettino has expanded the player pool following the World Cup. The 26 player roster sees some familiar faces return as Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie return to the fold, but with competitive matches in the window, Poch is putting his trust in some new faces also. Let’s take a look at some of the newer names he’s brought in for camp and Nations League matches.
Reed Baker-Whiting – A classic profile in a left back/wing back,
Baker-Whiting emerged as an attacking midfielder to find his skills were a better fit as an attack minded wide defender. Nashville broke the single season points total in MLS and allowed 25 goals and kept 15 clean sheets along the way. At 21 he is showing out at exactly the right time to start getting attention from European based clubs if a move abroad is in his plans. This is his first senior team camp as he competes for senior team minutes in competitive matches this window.
Santiago Castañeda – As is well known, outside of goalkeeper, the most important position on the USMNT roster is whoever is backing up Tyler Adams. A natural no. 6, he helped Paderborn gain promotion last year and is easily holding down his starting role in the top flight. At 6’2″ he brings size and physicality to defensive midfield and it will be interesting to see how that translates to Concacaf if he sees the pitch this window.
Cavan Sullivan – At this point he’s established himself as someone Tim Howard would call up for every window between now and 2030 and has shown he can play pretty well in friendlies. It’s likely he will continue getting looks but it will be interesting to see how Poch gets him on the field in competitive games.
Adri Mehmeti – His time under one of the best American midfielders to play has paid off as the NYRB midfielder continues to show he can set the tempo and see the game well enough to start week in and week out in MLS at barely 17 and a half.
Julian Hall – The winger established himself as one of the best wide attackers in MLS this year and at just 18, he has time to grow his skillset and turn his raw talent into consistent performances. Being a part of the Red Bull network opens up a path forward abroad, but for now he’s fighting for playing time along the USMNT front line.
Justin Ellis – He can play wide or as his more natural role as a no. 9, he showed his ability as a poacher against Peru scoring just four minutes in to his USMNT career. There have been hot starts to forwards’ careers in red, white, and blue before and Ellis is looking to show he can consistently find the net for his club and national team.
George Campbell – It’s not totally clear yet what the best backline combination is, but with Tim Ream’s retirement from the national team Campbell is getting a shot at being a regular callup. The West Brom captain was instrumental in the team’s campaign last year and has picked right up where he left off. At 24 he’s entering a phase of his career where things can take off if his performances remain consistent.
Neil Pierre – He’s tall, but he’s a lot more than that. At 6’7” it can’t be unremarked upon that he answers the question: what if a tall person didn’t play basketball and played soccer instead? Surely, that’s been asked. Pierre took the interesting step of going on loan to a team in Europe from MLS before returning to the Philly Union this year. He has a ton of potential and is getting interest from teams in top five leagues.
Bryan Reynolds – A once hyped prospect, Reynolds might be stepping up to a bigger stage. He spent three years showing solid development with KVC Westerlo before moving to Stade Rennais and is looking to establish himself in France as he fights for time with the national team. He’s at least earned a look this window in what is becoming a much more competitive right outside defender role.
Jack McGlynn – With Gio Reyna’s injury, the Stoke midfielder has been called in to bolster the attack from the USMNT midfield. He’s transitioned well after a transfer to the Championship side and has shown his skill in organizing the attack through the midfield and contributing goals and assists in the early weeks of the 2026/2027 season. While he’s directly replacing Reyna on the roster, he also has the ability to send in a shot or create attacking chances from dead ball situations also putting him in competition with Malik Tillman for future callups.
Goalkeeper – None of them are bald, one of them needs to step up.
