USMNT prepare for two key friendlies as Mauricio Pochettino finalises World Cup plans

Martin Macdonald

• 6 Oct 2025 16:30 CDT
• 3 min read

News

There is less than one year to go before the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

There will be undoubted pressure on the USMNT and head coach Mauricio Pochettino to deliver a positive showing on home soil, and the Argentine will be starting to finalise his plans for the tournament in terms of personnel.

As the USA have already qualified as hosts, their October international break will consist of two friendlies against Ecuador and Australia.

These two matches should provide an insight as to where the USA are at in terms of preparations for the World Cup as both opponents have already qualified for the tournament.

Ecuador were impressive in CONMEBOL qualifying and finished second in the table behind Argentina but ahead of the likes of Brazil, Uruguay and Colombia.

In their 18 matches they won eight, drew eight and lost just two.

From the Asian Football Confederation qualifying, Australia booked their place next summer after finishing third round group C runners-up.

The USMNT had two friendlies last month and it was a mixed bag for Pochettino and his charges as they lost 2-0 against South Korea before defeating Japan 2-0 a few days later.

Alejandro Zendejas and Folarin Balogun got on the scoresheet in that one.

USMNT squad for October friendlies

Pochettino named his squad for these friendlies last week and there are noticeable omissions for the likes of Tyler Adams, Sergino Dest and Gio Reyna due to injuries or personal reasons.

Another absentee is Ricardo Pepi who is a major doubt for the World Cup itself after suffering an ACL injury.

Josh Sargent, Yunus Musah and Joe Scally are still working towards full fitness with their clubs so haven't been selected.

Injuries have indeed dictated some of Pochettino's selections, but apart from that, we are beginning to see what the Argentine views as his ideal squad for the World Cup.

There is a welcome return for Weston McKennie who missed the last round of fixtures, while a lot of hope has been put on the shoulders of Milan's Christian Pulisic who has been excellent for the Italian giants so far this campaign.

Chris Brady of Chicago Fire is the only player that could earn their first cap over these two matches, so it's an experienced group.

Following the announcement of his selection for the squad, Pochettino said:

"It's about giving players confidence and the possibility to fight for a place, and that is a thing that is really important that we are feeling now.

"It's not because your name is one or another, you are going to have the place for sure in the roster for the World Cup and I think that is an idea that we were fighting the last year to try and fix that, change the culture, change the division, change the idea that because in the past I performed in some way or because I did well four years ago, now I have a right to come and use my place because it is my place. I think that has changed a lot."

Goalkeepers: Chris Brady, Matt Freese, Patrick Schulte, Matt Turner

Defenders: Max Arfsten, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Alex Freeman, Mark McKenzie, Tim Ream, Chris Richards, Antonee Robinson, Miles Robinson

Midfielders: Brenden Aaronson, Diego Luna, Weston McKennie, Aidan Morris, Cristian Roldan, James Sands, Tanner Tessmann, Malik Tillman

Forwards: Patrick Agyemang, Folarin Balogun, Christian Pulisic, Timo Weah, Haji Wright, Alex Zendejas

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