Cavan Sullivan Headlines 28-Player USMNT Squad as Christian Pulisic Omitted

Philadelphia Union midfielder Cavan Sullivan, 16, has been named to Mauricio Pochettino's 28-player U.S. men's national team roster for the upcoming FIFA international window.

U.S. men's national team manager Mauricio Pochettino has named a 28-player roster for the upcoming FIFA international window, featuring 16-year-old Philadelphia Union phenom Cavan Sullivan and 13 total uncapped players. Sullivan, who turns 17 on Sept. 28, enters the squad with nine goals and 15 assists across all competitions this season, including goal contributions in each of his last seven league matches. If he debuts during this window, he will become the second-youngest player to appear for the U.S. behind Freddy Adu.

Christian Pulisic was left off the squad as he recovers from a bone bruise and microfracture sustained during the World Cup. Other notable absences due to injury include Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie and Real Salt Lake’s Diego Luna, while Folarin Balogun was omitted following a failed summer transfer to Everton. The roster includes five goalscorers from the 2026 World Cup: Sebastian Berhalter, Alex Freeman, Gio Reyna, Malik Tillman, and Auston Trusty.

Uncapped additions joining Sullivan include Crystal Palace attacker Zavier Gozo, Philadelphia Union defender Neil Pierre, and New York Red Bulls forward Julian Hall. The squad also marks the return of AC Milan midfielder Yunus Musah, who last played for the U.S. 18 months ago, and West Bromwich Albion defender George Campbell. Players are scheduled to report to Atlanta on Sept. 20.

The USMNT will play four matches during this window, starting against Peru on Sept. 26 in Orlando and Chile on Sept. 29 in St. Louis. The team then travels to Glendale, Arizona, to face Mexico on Oct. 3 before concluding the schedule against Canada on Oct. 6 in St. Paul, Minnesota.