Julian Hall Gets First USMNT Call-Up in Youth-Heavy Pochettino Squad — SkimNews
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- Julian Hall, an 18-year-old Red Bull New York academy product with 12 goals and 3 assists in 27 games this season, will receive his first senior USMNT call-up; he remains eligible for Poland through his mother and is not cap-tied until he plays in official competition.
- Pochettino's 26-player roster, to be announced Thursday, includes four goalkeepers and skews heavily toward youth, with Diego Kochen, Peyton Miller, Frankie Westfield, Matias Albert, Brooklyn Raines, Zavier Gozo, and Justin Ellis all aged 21 or under.
- RBNY teammate Adri Mehmeti will join Hall, while Philadelphia Union's Cavan Sullivan and Neil Pierre are also named — Sullivan previously reported by ESPN, Pierre first reported by Yahoo Sports.
- Christian Pulisic is unlikely to be included as he recovers from a microfracture sustained at the World Cup; the AC Milan forward has made two substitute appearances to start the Serie A season, including a 2-2 draw with Lazio.
- Matt Freese, the USMNT's starter in goal at the World Cup, and midfielder Yunus Musah, a 2022 starter, are expected to make the roster alongside 25-year-old Brian Schwake, who would also be in line for a first cap.
- Pochettino called the window a 'new start,' saying the player pool of roughly 100 players will blend experienced names with young players beginning the long road to the 2030 World Cup.
- The USMNT plays four fall friendlies: vs. Peru on Sept. 26, vs. Chile on Sept. 29, vs. Mexico on Oct. 3, and vs. Canada on Oct. 6.
Why it matters: Pochettino is using his first post-World Cup window to formally reset the player pool, handing first senior caps to at least eight players aged 21 or under while sidelining the program's biggest star in Pulisic. With the 2030 cycle now underway, these four friendlies effectively serve as an open tryout for the next generation — and any breakout performances will reshape the depth chart heading into competitive fixtures.
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