Mauricio Pochettino has selected a notably youthful United States squad for the September/October friendlies, signalling a dramatic shift towards a new generational cycle. The selection includes 16-year-old Cavan Sullivan from Philadelphia Union, who would become the fourth-youngest player to represent the country should he debut. Several established World Cup squad members have been omitted, including Christian Pulisic (struggling at Milan), Weston McKennie (muscle fatigue) and Folarin Balogun (limited playing time at Everton), making way for the youth movement that Pochettino has described as a "fresh start" where current form matters more than past achievements.

The squad comprises 13 players who could earn senior debuts across four friendlies. Alongside youthful prospects, Pochettino has retained nine experienced players with 30 or more caps, including defenders Chris Richards, Antonee Robinson and Sergiño Dest, midfielders Tyler Adams and Yunus Musah, and striker Ricardo Pepi. Sullivan, who has scored six goals and provided five assists in 1,368 league minutes for Philadelphia this season, is joined by fellow prospects including 18-year-old Peyton Miller, Barcelona-trained goalkeeper Diego Kochen (20), and Julian Hall, MLS's top-scoring teenager with nine goals, reflecting Pochettino's strategy of building a long-term competitive base ahead of the 2026 World Cup cycle.