By Ahmed Abdelsalam
U.S. men's national team coach Mauricio Pochettino has recalled Christian Pulisic, Folarin Balogun, and Weston McKennie for the upcoming Concacaf Nations League quarterfinal against Haiti, unveiling a 25-man roster Wednesday that blends experience with youth.
Pochettino Unveils 25-Man Squad
The selection retains half of the 26 players from this year's World Cup, including 10 starters from the round-of-16 loss to Belgium, while adding six players under age 20. Pochettino said the squad aims to add more options and challenge established players.
Key Returns and Debutants
Pulisic returns after missing exhibition matches while recovering from a right tibia and fibula microfracture suffered at the World Cup. Balogun, who served a red-card suspension at the World Cup that was controversially set aside, was left out of recent friendlies after sitting out Monaco's opening Ligue 1 fixtures. He has made five substitute appearances since. Potential debutants include Nashville right back Reed Baker-Whiting and Paderborn midfielder Santiago Castañeda, both 21.
Youth Movement
The youngest contingent is led by striker Cavan Sullivan, who debuted in September two days before turning 17 and became the youngest U.S. goalscorer a week later against Mexico. The roster also includes 17-year-old midfielders Mathis Albert and Adri Mehmeti, 18-year-old forward Julian Hall, 19-year-old forward Justin Ellis, and 19-year-old defender Neil Pierre.
Players Omitted
Notable omissions include goalkeeper Matt Turner, defenders Max Arfsten, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Mark McKenzie, and Joe Scally, midfielder Aidan Morris, and winger Tim Weah. Injuries ruled out defender Miles Robinson, midfielder Johnny Cardoso, and forwards Haji Wright and Alejandro Zendejas. Striker Ricardo Pepi was left off due to a leg muscle injury.
Upcoming Matches
The 16th-ranked Americans will face 84th-ranked Haiti on November 14 in Miami and November 17 in Cincinnati. The aggregate winner advances to the Nations League semifinals scheduled for March 22-30 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
Full Squad List
Goalkeepers: Matt Freese (New York City), Diego Kochen (Lyngby), Brian Schwake (Nashville). Defenders: Reed Baker-Whiting (Nashville), George Campbell (West Bromwich Albion), Sergiño Dest (PSV Eindhoven), Alex Freeman (Villarreal), Neil Pierre (Philadelphia), Bryan Reynolds (Rennes), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace), Antonee Robinson (Fulham), Auston Trusty (Celtic). Midfielders: Tyler Adams (Bournemouth), Mathis Albert (Borussia Dortmund), Sebastian Berhalter (Middlesbrough), Santiago Castañeda (Paderborn), Weston McKennie (Juventus), Adri Mehmeti (New York Red Bulls), Gio Reyna (Strasbourg), Malik Tillman (Bayer Leverkusen). Forwards: Folarin Balogun (Monaco), Justin Ellis (Orlando), Julian Hall (New York Red Bulls), Christian Pulisic (AC Milan), Cavan Sullivan (Philadelphia).
