USMNT Feels ‘Like a Family’ Two Matches into Fall Camp | OneFootball

ST. LOUIS – Head coach Mauricio Pochettino’s 28-man roster for four international matches across September and October featured 13 previously uncapped players plus 13 holdovers from the FIFA World Cup 2026, and while these two groups bring a wide range of experience to the team, they are forming a coherent mixture in the first week of fall camp.

The U.S. won their first two matches of the four-match window, both against South American opponents – 4-1 against Peru in Orlando, Fla. on Sept 26 then a come-from-behind 4-2 victory over Chile in St. Louis on Sept. 29. In each of the opening matches, the team scored four goals. All four goals came from a different goal scorer and there was an even split – two goals scored by World Cup veterans and two from players earning their first caps.

The results show just how well the two groups are integrating, both on and off the pitch. Head coach Mauricio Pochettino is employing veterans while also giving debutants the chance to see their first minutes on the senior level, and the effect those veterans have had on the younger players in the camp environment has helped create a thoroughly blended mix.

“Enjoy your time off the pitch, but on the pitch, give everything,” midfielder Gio Reyna said of his approach to helping younger players. “Feel free. Be yourself. That’s what younger players need more than anything is to feel freedom. Even if they’re a bit naïve, they have done so many great things. It comes from Mauricio and the veterans being around, just trying to push them. Keep lifting these kids and filling them with confidence. A lot of them have so much talent, so we just have to keep helping them grow.”

The latest example showed up Tuesday night at Energizer Park when two young players put their stamp on the program. After nearly scoring earlier in the match against Chile, forward Julian Hall converted a header goal in the 51st minute. It was the 18-year-old’s second goal in as many matches after he also scored in his debut Saturday in the win over Peru, and Hall became the youngest player in program history to score two goals in his first two caps.

Then, with the U.S. leading 3-2 late in the match thanks to a game-winning header from center back Chris Richards, midfielder Mathis Albert scored off a headed down cross from defender Austin Trusty to ice the match for the home side. At 17 years and 131 days old, Albert became the youngest goal scorer in USMNT history, a record previously held by forward Christian Pulisic.

“It feels great,” Hall said. “I’m super excited to score it. Credit to my teammates for setting me up. I’m just ready for the next one.”

“It was a dream come true,” Albert said. “I’ve been dreaming of this since I was a little kid, and it finally happening in real time… I couldn’t even put into words how to describe it. I’m extremely happy. I think you could see from my celebration I didn’t even know what to do, but I’m just so happy.”

Fall camp marked the first call-ups for Hall and Albert, and the pair were among 11 players to debut in the opening match of the window. Both players credited the encouragement they’ve received from the coaching staff and the veteran players in helping to build their confidence.

For Albert, the confidence began to grow this summer when the Borussia Dortmund midfielder flew to watch some of U.S. camp during FIFA World Cup 2026.

“When I spoke to Poch, he took the time to speak to me – the assistant coaches, too,” Albert said. “I knew that he trusts me and I can become important to the team. That’s the biggest thing for me, just feeling important to the team and helping them. That’s what I want to do in the future for years and years and years to come.”

Both players mentioned midfielder Tyler Adams as someone who has taken them under his wing during camp. For Hall, that relationship means getting a chance to learn from a player who developed along a similar pathway at Red Bull New York and with the U.S. Youth National Teams. (Adams and Hall represented the U.S. at U-17 FIFA World Cups 10 years apart in 2015 and 2025, respectively.)

In the current National Team camp, Hall said Adams has shown him and Red Bull teammate Adri Mehmeti the ropes in their first international duty on the senior level and given them a lot of support going into every game.

For Albert, he’s been building trust with players like Reyna and fullback Antonee Robinson. He speaks with them often, he said. He and Jedi especially have worked together during training to link up on the left side of the pitch.

And what has been one of the biggest surprises for Albert in his first camp with the senior National Team is just how welcoming the veterans have been. No one has an ego, Albert said. Everyone is kind and the group feels connected early on.

“They bring everyone together, and they trust everybody,” Albert said of the more experienced players. “Everyone’s really like a family, and that helps us win games.”