Star player Christian Pulisic has been omitted from the United States national team roster for the initial fixtures of coach Mauricio Pochettino's second term. The winger, who turns 28 on Friday, only recently made his season debut for AC Milan after suffering a microfracture of his right tibia and fibula at last summer's World Cup.
Meanwhile, 16-year-old Cavan Sullivan is among 13 newcomers named to the 28-player selection. Sullivan, who made his Major League Soccer debut at age 14 in July 2024, could become the youngest player to feature for the national team in 20 years. Yunus Musah, a 2022 World Cup veteran, also returns to the squad after last playing for the Americans in March 2025.
The USMNT is set to play friendlies against Peru on September 26, Chile on September 29, Mexico on October 3, and Canada on October 6. Only 13 players from the 26-man World Cup selection remain in the current roster.