Pochettino Urges Patience With USMNT Teenagers Sullivan and Hall
Mauricio Pochettino has urged restraint over the United States’ emerging teenage talent as he prepares to name his squad for four September and October friendlies. The USMNT coach welcomed the promise shown by Philadelphia Union’s Cavan Sullivan and New York Red Bulls forward Julian Hall, but said the programme must protect young players from expectations that can outrun their development.
The United States will open camp in Atlanta ahead of matches against Peru on Sept. 26, Chile on Sept. 29, Mexico on Oct. 3 and Canada on Oct. 6. Pochettino intends to select 26 players, including four goalkeepers, rather than enlarge the group for the four-match schedule.
September camp timetable
- Pochettino agreed to continue for another World Cup cycle last month, saying he would begin the process of shaping his side from scratch.
- The roster for the coming international window is due to be announced on Sept. 17.
- Selected players will start arriving in Atlanta three days later.
- The USMNT face Peru on Sept. 26 and Chile three days afterwards.
- Mexico provide the opposition on Oct. 3 before the window concludes against Canada on Oct. 6.
Protection for Sullivan, Hall and other prospects
Speaking from London, Pochettino said the depth of young potential in the player pool was encouraging, particularly with attention building around Sullivan and Hall. But he stressed that confidence must be paired with perspective.
“We are very happy to have these young players with the potential to perform and play,” Pochettino said. “But we must be careful. A young player needs confidence, trust in himself and belief that he can do well, but there is a limit. Balance is the most important thing.”
He warned that a 16-, 17- or 18-year-old can be harmed if a few strong performances lead to comparisons with Lionel Messi or suggestions that they are already global stars. The responsibility, he said, is to give talented players a stable platform on which to improve, become professionals and build lasting careers.
Pochettino also highlighted humility and respect as central requirements. He wants young internationals to develop not only in matches, but in their dealings with media, team-mates and opponents.
Changing habits across the pathway
The coach said the new cycle should address damaging habits within the national-team environment. He linked that task to greater alignment between youth football, professional clubs and the U.S. Soccer Federation, which recently took over U.S. Youth Soccer.
In Pochettino’s view, players’ behaviour on the pitch is shaped by decisions and standards set above them. He wants coaches, federation staff, clubs and players to work from shared principles throughout the pathway to the senior side, with the aim of making the United States more competitive at every stage.
He also cited the choice by some players to miss major competitive tournaments as an example of a mindset he wants to change. Christian Pulisic was among those who did not take part in the 2025 Gold Cup after a demanding club campaign, opting instead for recovery time.
Pochettino said it had previously been difficult to plan a World Cup squad a year in advance because some players feared that appearing in intervening fixtures would leave them without a proper break and unable to arrive fresh for the tournament. He dismissed that thinking as “nonsense”, arguing that the programme’s planning should serve both the players and the long-term interests of football in the United States.
Why the squad will stay at 26
Despite having four fixtures in the window, Pochettino will keep to a standard 26-man group with four goalkeepers. He said a larger selection would make it harder to provide meaningful training and match opportunities to the players brought into camp.
The manager wants every call-up to be fit enough to train and play at this stage of the season. His aim is not simply to assemble a broad group, but to put selected players in competitive situations and assess them with real minutes available.
Recent club moves may influence the final choices. Middlesbrough defender Max Arfsten and midfielder Sebastian Berhalter could be left with their new side rather than called into camp immediately, giving them time to settle in England.
Pochettino nevertheless plans to combine emerging players with established internationals. He said a squad made entirely of young prospects would not be appropriate, because less experienced players need senior figures around them as they learn to handle the pressure of first-team international football.
