The first U.S. men’s national team roster of the Mauricio Pochettino-era has officially been released.
Christian Pulisic, Zack Steffen, and Tim Weah headline Pochettino’s 25-player roster for October’s pair of friendlies. Weston McKennie, Brenden Aaronson, and Folarin Balogun were also included.
Midfielder Gio Reyna and defender Cameron Carter-Vickers missed out through respective injuries. Steffen earned his first senior call up since 2023, as did midfielder Gianluca Busio, who featured at the 2024 Paris Olympics for Team USA.
Marlon Fossey, who made his USMNT debut in September, is also back in the squad as a right back option. He will be joined by Joe Scally, who excelled for the USMNT last summer at the Copa America tournament.
The No. 9 race continues with Balogun, Ricardo Pepi, Haji Wright, and Josh Sargent all named to the squad. All four players have scored at club level in the past week, with Pepi netting twice in Eredivisie play.
The USMNT will host CONCACAF rivals Panama on October 12 in Austin, Texas before concluding their two-match window in Guadalajara against Mexico on Oct. 15.
Panama last defeated the USMNT 2-1 last summer in the 2024 Copa America group stage. However, the USMNT have won 17 of the 26 all-time meetings between the two teams.
October will also mark the Americans’ first friendly trip to Mexico since earning a famed 1-0 victory over El Tri on Aug. 15, 2012. The result remains the USMNT’s only win on Mexican soil in all competitions.
Both matches will serve as preparation for the CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinal round this November.
Here is the full USMNT roster for October’s friendlies:
GOALKEEPERS: Ethan Horvath (Cardiff City/WAL; 9/0), Patrick Schulte (Columbus Crew; 2/0), Zack Steffen (Colorado Rapids; 29/0), Matt Turner (Crystal Palace/ENG; 45/0).
DEFENDERS: Marlon Fossey (Standard Liege; 1/0), Kristoffer Lund (Palermo/ITA; 5/0), Mark McKenzie (Toulouse/FRA; 14/0), Tim Ream (Charlotte FC; 62/1), Antonee Robinson (Fulham/ENG; 46/4), Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati; 29/3), Joe Scally (Borussia Monchengladbach/GER; 12/0), Auston Trusty (Celtic/SCO; 2/0).
MIDFIELDERS: Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United/ENG; 44/8), Gianluca Busio (Venezia/ITA; 13/1), Johnny Cardoso (Real Betis/ESP; 17/0), Weston McKennie (Juventus/ITA; 56/11), Aidan Morris (Middlesbrough/ENG; 7/0), Yunus Musah (AC Milan/ITA; 41/0), Malik Tillman (PSV Eindhoven/NED; 14/0).
FORWARDS: Folarin Balogun (Monaco/FRA; 17/5), Ricardo Pepi (PSV Eindhoven; 30/10), Christian Pulisic (AC Milan/ITA; 73/31), Josh Sargent (Norwich City/ENG; 25/5), Timothy Weah (Juventus/ITA; 41/6), Haji Wright (Coventry City/ENG; 13/4).
