Pochettino names 25 players for Haiti ties
The USMNT manager mixes veterans like Pulisic with young prospects in the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals.
By Talia Bennett ·
Mauricio Pochettino named a 25-man roster for the United States men's national team ahead of two matches against Haiti. The team will play the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals on Nov. 14 and Nov. 17. The squad blends established stars with players seeking their first caps. Pochettino aims to secure a place in the semifinals while testing new lineups.
Veterans Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, and Folarin Balogun return to the group. However, several regulars are absent due to injury. Miles Robinson, Johnny Cardoso, and Ricardo Pepi are not on the list. Pochettino confirmed that Pepi and Balogun are not fully fit. He chose to bring only one of them to manage the squad's physical condition.
Youth remains a priority for the Argentine manager. Cavan Sullivan and Julian Hall, who gained experience during a previous camp, return for this tournament. Reed Baker-Whiting of Nashville SC and Santiago Castaneda of SC Paderborn seek their first international caps. Castaneda is also eligible to represent Colombia. Pochettino emphasized the need to integrate these players with the senior core.
The attack features players in good form. Pulisic has signed a new contract with AC Milan and scored in his last three club appearances. Balogun faces a different situation at Monaco after a difficult summer transfer window. Meanwhile, Julian Hall has found a rhythm with Red Bull New York. The midfielder has scored 13 goals in Major League Soccer play. He has also added three goals for the national team.
Pochettino noted that Balogun provides an opportunity to evolve after a tough period. The manager stated that Justin Ellis and Julian Hall are fully fit. This allowed the team to leave Ricardo Pepi out of this specific camp. The goal is to let Pepi train and rebuild his confidence. The combination of Balogun, Ellis, and Hall offers a balanced forward group.
The midfield includes Tyler Adams, Sebastian Berhalter, and Gio Reyna. Mathis Albert of Borussia Dortmund also makes the list. Pochettino described Albert as a talented player who can bring a different dynamic. The manager believes the national team environment can help Albert recover his confidence. This may also aid his playing time at the club level. Pochettino mentioned the potential chemistry between Albert and Pulisic.
Defense presents questions for the manager. Neil Pierre and George Campbell return after a difficult first camp. Campbell suffered a minor injury during a West Bromwich Albion match. He faces a late fitness test before joining the group. Behind Chris Richards and Auston Trusty, other defenders will need to be ready for immediate action. The team will look to organize quickly when regaining possession.
The roster includes three goalkeepers, nine defenders, eight midfielders, and five forwards. Matt Freese, Diego Kochen, and Brian Schwake compete for the starting spot. The United States will face a competitive test in Haiti. This tournament serves as a measure for players seeking long-term roles. Pochettino will assess chemistry during the camp starting Monday.
