Pochettino names eight teenagers in youthful USMNT squad for friendlies
Mauricio Pochettino has used the United States men’s national team’s first squad announcement since the summer World Cup to accelerate a generational change, naming 28 players for friendlies across late September and early October. Thirteen members of the group are still awaiting a senior international debut, including eight teenagers, after several established players were left out to rest.
A development-led window for the United States
The coming matches against Peru, Chile, Mexico and Canada offer Pochettino an early look at players who could shape the route towards the 2030 World Cup. The selection is not solely about prospect value: several of the uncapped teenagers arrive with substantial first-team minutes in MLS or Europe and distinct roles at club level.
- Real Salt Lake gave Zavier Gozo his MLS debut in 2023, before Crystal Palace signed the wide midfielder during the summer.
- Mathis Albert became the youngest American to appear in the Bundesliga when he played for Borussia Dortmund in April at 16.
- Philadelphia Union teenager Cavan Sullivan has continued to produce in MLS ahead of his planned Manchester City move at age 18.
- Red Bull New York teammates Julian Hall and Adri Mehmeti enter the camp after leading their side’s attack and midfield work respectively.
Gozo brings running power from the wing
Gozo, 19, has moved quickly from Real Salt Lake to the Premier League. Usually deployed on the right, the Crystal Palace midfielder has recorded 8.1 progressive carries per 90 minutes over the past year in all competitions. Although he has not played MLS football since July, he remains second among MLS teenagers for progressive carries, carries after a defensive action and successful take-ons.
His output combines attacking volume with defensive work. Gozo has six goals and five assists in 1,614 minutes during the last 12 months, alongside 3.1 shots and 6.8 defensive interventions per 90. He is also second among teenage MLS players in total tackles in 2026. Former Real Salt Lake assistant Nate Miller highlighted the exceptional running figures Gozo has produced for his age and believes he can become a leading national-team player.
The most ambitious projection is Barcelona and Spain winger Lamine Yamal, while Leeds United’s Brenden Aaronson is the more grounded comparison.
Albert’s Bundesliga breakthrough remains significant
Albert’s Dortmund appearances have been limited since his record-setting Bundesliga outing, with the former LA Galaxy academy player largely used from the bench. That restricted sample affects the figures, but his per-90 profile remains notable: 8.3 progressive carries, 3.3 shots and 11.9 ground duels across all competitions.
The 17-year-old, a South Carolina native, has generally operated from the left and has drawn attention for his pace, willingness to dribble and competitive edge. U.S. youth coach Gonzalo Segares has praised Albert’s fearlessness, persistence and ability to beat opponents one against one. In Dortmund’s 5-0 German Cup win over HEBC Hamburg earlier this month, Albert led his team in shots, dribbles and ground duels.
Paris Saint-Germain and Georgia star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia represents the high-end comparison; Real Betis and Morocco attacker Abde Ezzalzouli is viewed as the more plausible stylistic reference.
Sullivan has matched Messi’s post-World Cup output
Sullivan, 16, is the highest-profile player in the group and is due to join Manchester City once he turns 18. Since MLS resumed after the World Cup, the Philadelphia Union attacking midfielder has produced 13 goal contributions, level with Lionel Messi for the league lead over that period.
In MLS, Sullivan is averaging 1.10 goals and assists combined, 2.4 chances created and 2.9 shots per 90 minutes. His game has combined creativity and improved finishing with a willingness to recover possession. A backheel finish this month further illustrated his technical confidence.
Philadelphia interim coach Ryan Richter has pointed to Sullivan’s competitiveness and daily approach as the quality that most stands out, beyond his creative talent. Bayern Munich and France forward Michael Olise is the aspirational comparison, with Arsenal and Greece player Christos Tzolis offered as the more realistic one.
Hall supplies goals while Mehmeti controls possession
Hall, 18, is MLS’s leading teenage scorer this season, with 10 goals in 26 appearances for Red Bull New York. His 51% shot-on-target rate ranks seventh in MLS among players with at least 10 league goals. Over the past year in all competitions, he has delivered 18 goal contributions in 2,448 minutes.
The forward averages 2.3 shots per 90 minutes and takes 82.3% of his attempts from inside the penalty area. Hall scored twice in a 2-1 victory in his first start of the 2026 season. Red Bull coach Michael Bradley has identified the striker’s speed, ability to run beyond defenders and confidence as obvious assets, while stressing his willingness to listen, learn and improve. His movement and short combination play could give the United States a different option in the next window.
Atlético Madrid and Canada forward Jonathan David is the ceiling-level comparison for Hall, while Borussia Dortmund’s Portugal forward Fábio Silva is the more measured projection.
Mehmeti, 17, has been Hall’s midfield counterpart at Red Bull New York. He leads MLS in 2026 with 6.6 ball recoveries per 90 minutes and also tops the teenage rankings for touches, at 77.9 per 90, and through balls, at 9.0 per 90. His capacity to regain possession and move the ball forward has made him influential at both ends of the pitch.
Bradley believes Mehmeti’s next stage is physical and defensive development without reducing his quality in possession. With increased minutes and responsibility, the midfielder must also learn when to take risks, retain the ball, play forward or slow the contest down. Manchester City and England midfielder Elliot Anderson is the ambitious comparison, while Inter’s Curtis Jones is the more realistic benchmark.
Key figures from the five teenagers
| Player | Club | Notable production |
|---|---|---|
| Zavier Gozo, 19 | Crystal Palace | 6 goals, 5 assists, 8.1 progressive carries per 90, 6.8 defensive interventions per 90 |
| Mathis Albert, 17 | Borussia Dortmund | 8.3 progressive carries, 3.3 shots and 11.9 ground duels per 90 |
| Cavan Sullivan, 16 | Philadelphia Union | 1.10 goals and assists, 2.4 chances created and 2.9 shots per 90 in MLS |
| Julian Hall, 18 | Red Bull New York | 10 MLS goals in 26 matches; 18 goal contributions in 2,448 minutes across all competitions |
| Adri Mehmeti, 17 | Red Bull New York | 6.6 recoveries, 77.9 touches and 9.0 through balls per 90 |
Key takeaways
- Pochettino’s 28-man squad includes 13 players without a senior cap, eight of whom are teenagers.
- Gozo and Albert bring European-club experience, though Albert’s Dortmund minutes have been limited.
- Sullivan arrives after matching Messi’s 13 goal contributions since MLS returned following the World Cup.
- Hall offers penalty-box efficiency, while Mehmeti’s recovery and passing numbers point to a more controlling midfield role.
- The friendlies against Peru, Chile, Mexico and Canada will test whether club production can translate to the international level.
