USMNT releases roster for September window: The youth movement is officially here.

For the USMNT, the start of the 2030 World Cup is here. After a promising but ultimately disappointing World Cup this past summer, Mauricio Pochettino and company are ready to begin a new cycle that will culminate in the 2030 World Cup. The USMNT released the roster for the upcoming international window on Thursday, with 28 players set to begin the USMNT’s journey during the next four years. 

As expected, some familiar names are missing. Christian Pulisic was left off after playing limited minutes for AC Milan early in the Serie A season. Likewise, Weston McKennie misses out because of an injury. Folarin Balogun is another notable absence, as his playing time has been limited this fall after his failed transfer to Everton. Tim Weah, Brenden Aaronson, and Joe Scally are also among the players from the World Cup roster who are not included on the roster for this window.

At the same time, there are a lot of players who are new to the national team but look poised to play a role during the next four years. That has created a fascinating mixture of established players and promising youngsters. With games against Peru, Chile, Mexico, and Canada coming up, here are the players on the USMNT September-October roster.

Goalkeeper

It’s a brave new world for the goalkeeper position, which is led by incumbent Matt Freese. His struggles against Belgium in the World Cup were well documented, but he will get a chance to redeem himself starting with this window. Chris Brady is also on this roster after being on the World Cup roster. He has a chance to start working his way up the pecking order, as Pochettino liked him enough to make him the third-stringer over the summer.

The most intriguing goalie on the roster might be Diego Kochen. Just 20 years old, the Barcelona product is currently on loan in Denmark with Lyngby and off to a promising start. He might have the biggest upside of any goalie in the pool right now. Finally, there is Nashville SC goalie Brian Schwake. On the heels of a strong campaign in MLS, he’ll get his first chance with the national team. 

Center back

There are few surprises at center-back. Chris Richards leads the way as a core part of the USMNT. Meanwhile, Auston Trusty and Miles Robinson remain in the mix after featuring during the World Cup. George Campbell is an important but expected addition. He’s in his second season with West Brom in the English Championship and is captaining the team. With just one USMNT cap, Campbell is finally getting a well-deserved shot with the national team.

The final center-back on the roster is Neil Pierre. Just 18 years old, the 6’7’’ Pierre has made huge strides with the Philadelphia Union this season. It’s rare to see a center-back this young be considered a genuine option at the international level. But Pierre boasts huge potential and has already started to live up to it, giving him an early look from Pochettino.

Full back/wingback

There is plenty of familiarity with the full backs on the September roster. The tandem of Sergiño Dest and Antonee Robinson are the incumbents. Alex Freeman could push Dest in a four-back formation, while being a lock to start any competitive match if Pochettino continues to utilize a three-back setup.

The two new names to this group are Peyton Miller and Frankie Westfield. Miller is just 18 but has emerged as one of the USMNT’s top prospects while playing for the New England Revolution. Westfield is Pierre’s teammate with the Union and participated in the Under-20 World Cup last year.

Midfield

The midfield is also a mix of youth and experience. The experience comes from Tyler Adams and Malik Tillman, who were both regular starters during the World Cup. Both could be considered core parts of the USMNT over the next four years. The same could be true for Sebastian Berhalter, who came off the bench frequently during the World Cup and has already started to take a step forward since a summer move to Middlesbrough. The enigmatic Gio Reyna will also be with the USMNT during this window. He’s gotten off to a promising start with his new club Strasbourg, and with regular time at the club level, the sky is the limit for Reyna.

Three players not on the World Cup roster who will be part of the midfield for this window are Yunus Musah, Brooklyn Raines, and Adri Mehmeti. Of course, Musah is no stranger to the national team. He has 47 caps and was part of the 2022 World Cup roster. Still just 23, he could be in the midst of a renaissance with AC Milan this season. Raines is another prospect who plays for the Revolution in MLS. He’s made 28 appearances for various U.S. youth national teams over the years and is ready to graduate to the full national team. Meanwhile, Mehmeti is just 17 but has done enough with the New York Red Bulls this season to warrant inclusion on the September roster.

Winger

With Pulisic absent, the winger position looks different than it has in the past. The obvious highlight of this roster is 16-year-old Cavan Sullivan. He’s been dominant in MLS since the World Cup, forcing his way onto the USMNT roster before his 17th birthday. If he plays during this window, he will be the second-youngest player to suit up for the United States.

Sullivan isn’t the only young winger on the roster. Zavier Gozo, a 19-year-old who completed a move to Crystal Palace over the summer, will get his first chance with the full national team. He’s made 27 appearances with U.S. youth international teams in recent years. Mathis Albert and Cole Campbell are also wingers on this roster. Albert has great tools, but the 17-year-old is yet to get much playing time with Borussia Dortmund this season. Campbell, meanwhile, has already started to make his mark with newly promoted Elversberg in the Bundesliga.

Striker

Finally, the striker position also has some unfamiliar names, with Balogun absent and both Haji Wright and Patrick Agyemang unavailable due to injury. The one familiar face is Ricardo Pepi, who is viewed as Balogun’s top understudy at the moment. He’s joined by newcomers Justin Ellis and Julian Hall. Ellis is just 19 but has a chance to be a well-rounded striker. Hall is even younger but has earned a call-up amidst a strong season with the New York Red Bulls.

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