USMNT Roster Revealed for Friendlies vs. South Korea and Japan
The USMNT has announced its roster for the upcoming friendlies against South Korea and Japan. Check out who's in and who's out.
“We continue to strengthen the squad and narrow in on the pool of players who can help us achieve our goals...”
Christian Pulisic is back in the US squad for the upcoming friendly matches against South Korea and Japan, after opting out of the CONCACAF Gold Cup to rest and recover. This decision initially drew criticism from former US players Landon Donovan and Alexi Lalas. Pulisic played 50 games for AC Milan last season and will likely bring valuable experience to the team.
US Squad Details
- Coach: Mauricio Pochettino
- Players Returning: Christian Pulisic, Tim Weah
- Players Left Out: Weston McKennie, Gio Reyna, Antonee Robinson
Potential Impact
Pulisic's return and McKennie's exclusion may signify a shift in team dynamics. With several players returning from injuries or limited playing time, coach Pochettino aims to utilize these friendlies to build fitness and sharpness for upcoming opportunities.
The US men's national soccer team recently suffered a tough 2-1 loss to Mexico in the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup final at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. The match saw Mexico dominate, with Raúl Jiménez scoring a crucial goal. Weston McKennie, a key midfielder, wasn't part of the US squad due to Juventus' involvement in the Club World Cup. Another notable absence was Fulham's left back Antonee Robinson, who's currently recovering from an injury.
The US squad for the upcoming friendlies against South Korea and Japan features some notable inclusions and omissions. Sergino Dest returns to the team after recovering from an ACL injury, while winger Timothy Weah has also been named in the squad. On the other hand, forward Giovanni Reyna and goalkeeper Matt Turner did not make the cut. Weston McKennie, who was unavailable for the Gold Cup due to Juventus' Club World Cup participation, also remains absent.
US Squad Updates:
Returning Players:
- Sergino Dest: Back after recovering from an ACL injury
- Timothy Weah: Included in the squad
- Christian Pulisic: Named in the squad after skipping the Gold Cup
Absent Players:
- Weston McKennie: Still absent due to Juventus' Club World Cup participation
- Giovanni Reyna: Did not make the cut
- Matt Turner: Did not make the cut
- Antonee Robinson: Continuing his recovery from injury
“We continue to strengthen the squad and narrow in on the pool of players who can help us achieve our goals at the 2026 FIFA World Cup,” Pochettino said on Tuesday.
“We have a number of players just returning from injuries or who have had very limited minutes in the last couple of months, so they can take this moment to continue to build fitness and sharpness for the upcoming opportunities in the fall.”
The US men's national soccer team is gearing up for two crucial friendly matches in September, with 22 players already rostered and one addition pending confirmation. The team will face South Korea on September 6 at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey, and Japan on September 9 at (link unavailable) Field in Columbus, Ohio. These matches will serve as vital preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Set up for September, presented by Allstate!
— U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) August 26, 2025
22 of the 23 roster spots are confirmed, with an additional player to be added at a later date. pic.twitter.com/hrwpqYdxFC
These matches will also give coach Mauricio Pochettino an opportunity to fine-tune the team's strategy and player combinations ahead of the World Cup. The US team has a 2-3-2 record against South Korea and a 0-2-1 record against Japan, making these matches important for gaining momentum and confidence.
USA squad:
- Goalkeepers: Roman Celentano, Matt Freese, Jonathan Klinsmann
- Defenders: Max Arfsten, Noahkai Banks, Tristan Blackmon, Sergino Dest, Alex Freeman, Nathan Harriel, Tim Ream, Chris Richards
- Midfielders: Tyler Adams, Sebastian Berhalter, Luca de la Torre, Diego Luna, Jack McGlynn, Sean Zawadzki
- Forwards: Damion Downs, Christian Pulisic, Josh Sargent, Tim Weah, Alex Zendejas.
Upcoming Friendlies:
The US team will face South Korea and Japan in the upcoming friendlies, with coach Mauricio Pochettino looking to build momentum and prepare the team for future challenges.
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