Pochettino names youthful 28-man USMNT squad as new cycle begins | OneFootball

Mauricio Pochettino has opened the new USMNT cycle by broadening the talent pool, naming a youthful first post World Cup squad.

According to Goal.com, the 28-man list features 13 uncapped players and an average age of 19 years and six months for four friendlies.

After spending the last cycle trimming to 26, the brief now is expansion, blending performance with development and an Olympic focus in two years.

Sixteen-year-old Cavan Sullivan headlines the winners, his production finally matching the noise this season. The call-up rewards output over profile, with staff intent on guiding a gifted player who still needs time.

Yunus Musah also returns after more than a year and a half away. A tough spell at Milan and on loan at Atalanta has given way to renewed influence, and at 23 he still carries clear upside.

Christian Pulisic is absent, freshly back from injury and only just into his season. Avoiding four matches in two weeks makes sense, though it postpones any bid to confront lingering World Cup talk about his edge.

Thirteen World Cup players are included, while Weston McKennie and Folarin Balogun are injured. Others miss out, including Matt Turner, Max Arfsten, Mark McKenzie, Joe Scally, Cristian Roldan, Brenden Aaronson, Tim Weah and Alejandro Zendejas.

Seventeen-year-old Mathis Albert could finish camp with more senior minutes for country than club. Dortmund rate him, and this look is about learning and potential.

Source: Goal.com

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”