USMNT’s next wave arrives as Pochettino hands 13 uncapped players a chance
The United States men’s national team is preparing to introduce a major wave of new talent, with Mauricio Pochettino calling 13 players yet to make their senior international debuts into camp during the upcoming multi-week Fifa window.
Sullivan leads the class
At 16, Cavan Sullivan is the headline name in the group. He is joined by a generation that spans established professionals, teenage prospects and players beginning to make an impact in MLS or European football.
Kochen offers a glimpse of the future in goal
Diego Kochen, 20, is gaining professional experience at Lyngby on loan from Barcelona. The Danish club has endured a difficult start after promotion, but the Miami-born goalkeeper remains a highly regarded prospect. His proactive approach to claiming crosses has been highlighted in European scouting reports, while his previous involvement as a training-only member of the United States World Cup squad gave him an early taste of the international environment.
Brian Schwake, 25, brings greater senior experience. The Nashville SC goalkeeper has become his club’s first choice and has helped them post MLS’s best record. His 0.81 goals-against rate stands out, although it also reflects the defensive work in front of him. Schwake has also impressed with his cross claiming, distribution and ability to maintain clean sheets despite facing significant shot volume.
Defenders provide solutions on both flanks
Frankie Westfield has emerged as Philadelphia Union’s preferred right-back during his first season as a regular starter. The 20-year-old offers a modern full-back profile, delivering 3.62 crosses per 90 minutes and ranking among MLS’s leaders for progressive passing. His ability to switch play and advance possession could address a position that has been a persistent weakness for the USMNT.
The right-back pool has been further complicated by the decision to use Sergiño Dest higher up the field, but Westfield’s passing range gives Pochettino another potential route forward on the right.
At center-back, 18-year-old Neil Pierre has quickly become a major prospect at Philadelphia. Standing 6ft 7in, Pierre is a threat on set pieces, but his game extends beyond his aerial presence. He has been trusted to initiate attacks from the back and ranks highly for aggressive defensive actions and balls won in midfield. His continued development could help the United States move beyond the disappointment of Noahkai Banks choosing Germany at international level.
Peyton Miller, also 18, has been assessed as one of the most promising young American full-backs. Although he has increasingly operated as a right winger, Miller has scored seven goals and supplied four assists this season. His attacking instincts could give the USMNT an alternative at left-back alongside the more rounded Antonee Robinson.
Attackers with different paths to the spotlight
Mathis Albert has already made a Bundesliga debut for Borussia Dortmund at a younger age than Christian Pulisic and Gio Reyna, though he remains primarily a training player and is not yet a regular starter for Dortmund II. Formerly part of the LA Galaxy academy, Albert stands out for his acceleration with the ball and his ability to drive forward from wide areas. His eventual role—creator, advancing midfielder or finisher—remains to be defined.
Zavier Gozo could be among the newcomers best placed to make an immediate and lasting impression. After a strong start to the MLS season with Real Salt Lake, he attracted late consideration as a potential World Cup wild card before moving to Crystal Palace. Gozo combines inventive dribbling with the ability to produce dangerous shots from difficult situations, and his experience at right wing-back adds tactical flexibility.
Adri Mehmeti is another teenage midfielder whose composure has drawn attention. The 17-year-old has become a central figure in the Red Bull New York possession game, leading the club in touches and linking defense to attack despite making his MLS debut only in the 2026 season opener. His ability to operate with the calm of a far more experienced player has made him one of the league’s most intriguing young midfielders.
A broader talent pool for Pochettino
The newcomers arrive as the United States continues to search for long-term solutions across the squad. Tim Howard’s retirement left the program without an obvious successor in goal, while the right-back position has remained thin. The latest camp gives Pochettino an opportunity to assess players who could reshape those positions—and add greater variety to the team’s attack—in the years ahead.
The group also reflects the widening pathways available to American players. Some, such as Kochen and Albert, are developing in Europe; others are emerging as MLS starters or key contributors. Their first camp will not determine their international futures, but it offers an early look at the next generation expected to compete for places in the USMNT setup.