United States Men’s National Soccer Team Announces Squad
The United States men’s national soccer team, under the guidance of manager Mauricio Pochettino, has announced a 26-player squad for two upcoming friendly matches in October. The team is set to clash with Ecuador in Austin, Texas, on October 10, followed by a meeting with Australia on October 14 in Commerce City, Colorado. All three nations participating in these fixtures have already secured their places for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will take place next summer in a historic tri-nation tournament hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Notable Inclusions and Key Players
Notable inclusions in the roster are AC Milan forward Christian Pulisic, Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie, and Fulham defender Antonee Robinson, the latter making his return after recovering from knee surgery. Robinson’s call-up marks an important milestone, as he has not represented the national team since March’s Concacaf Nations League.
McKennie and Leeds United’s Brenden Aaronson, along with Celtic’s Cameron Carter-Vickers and Middlesbrough’s Aidan Morris, are among other returning players that set a strong foundation for this roster. Particularly impressive performances in the early stages of the club season have earned Morris multiple Man of the Match accolades, while Lyon’s Tanner Tessmann and New England Revolution’s Matt Turner also make a comeback.
Player Performances and Absences
Pulisic, who has been a standout performer for AC Milan this season with six goals and two assists, is pivotal to the U.S. offense, leading Serie A with four goals in league play. Meanwhile, Coventry City’s Haji Wright is currently the leading scorer in the English Championship with seven goals.
Despite these strong selections, some key players have been left out of the squad. Tyler Adams of AFC Bournemouth is a significant absence, and Pochettino is anticipated to address his situation in an upcoming statement. Additionally, injuries have sidelined several other players, including PSV Eindhoven’s Sergiño Dest and Ricardo Pepi, along with Atlético Madrid’s Johnny Cardoso and Borussia Monchengladbach’s Giovanni Reyna. Defender Joe Scally’s exclusion comes as a surprise, given his solid performances as a wingback, which exacerbate the right-sided defensive options available to the coach.
Final Thoughts on the Upcoming Matches
Furthermore, Norwich City forward Josh Sargent and Atlanta United FC’s Yunus Musah are also missing from the roster, despite promising starts to their club seasons but inconsistency on the international stage. The confirmed squad features a mix of seasoned veterans and newer faces, with St. Pauli’s James Sands earning his first selection under Pochettino’s management.
As these matches approach, Ecuador is fresh off securing its fifth World Cup appearance after finishing second in the CONMEBOL qualifiers, while Australia also looks forward to its sixth consecutive World Cup following a solid qualifying campaign.
