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Several high-profile players made their return to the U.S. men's national team for the November international break, but an equally notable number of names were conspicuously absent.
Mauricio Pochettino announced his 25-man roster for the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals on Wednesday, selecting a balanced blend of emerging talents and experienced veterans for a home-and-away clash against Haiti.
The likes of Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie and Folarin Balogun all came back into the picture after being left out of the September-October international window. They were joined by fellow World Cup contributors Tyler Adams, Chris Richards and Alex Freeman, along with promising teenage sensations Cavan Sullivan, Julian Hall and Justin Ellis.
While much of his squad came together without difficulty, Pochettino still faced some tough decisions across the pitch, leaving a number of capable players behind for the final major camp of the year.
Ricardo Pepi
Things simply haven't been falling into place for Ricardo Pepi. The forward was forced to withdraw from the September-October international break through injury, left to watch from the sidelines as Hall, Sullivan and Ellis made their mark up front.
Pepi made his comeback on Halloween, contributing a goal and an assist off the bench in PSV Eindhoven's commanding victory over Willem II. The 23-year-old would have expected that display to win over Pochettino, but he was ultimately left off the Argentine's squad.
Given that Pepi had only just returned from injury, his exclusion may have been a precautionary decision by Pochettino. However, it's equally possible the manager simply chose to continue developing his trio of teenage attackers.
Either way, Pepi finds himself on the outside looking in once again.
Yunus Musah
If anyone is familiar with the ups and downs of Pochettino's selection hierarchy, it's Yunus Musah. The midfielder missed out on the 2026 World Cup following a difficult spell at Atalanta, but rediscovered his form at Milan under new manager Ruben Amorim.
Musah earned consistent playing time at club level and performed well enough to secure a spot in Pochettino's squad for the team's four autumn friendlies. The 23-year-old featured three times during the September-October international window, starting two of those matches.
His performances weren't spectacular, but they were steady enough to anticipate another call-up in November, particularly given his form at Milan. However, Pochettino found no room for the American with McKennie and senior debutant Santiago Castañeda filling out his midfield options.
Aidan Morris
With midfield competition fierce, Aidan Morris also failed to secure a place in Pochettino's 25-man squad. The 24-year-old hasn't represented the national team since the March international break.
Morris must be wondering, What more could I possibly do? The midfielder is a regular starter for Middlesbrough, putting in full 90-minute shifts week after week in the EFL Championship.
His tireless energy and defensive capabilities are on constant display, and he has already netted two goals this season—the highest tally of his three-year stint at the Riverside Stadium.
What likely makes the omission even more difficult to accept is that his midfield partner, Sebastian Berhalter, remains one of Pochettino's trusted picks.
Tim Weah
Tim Weah would have hoped his 2026 World Cup inclusion had cemented his standing in Pochettino's plans going forward. But he did little to strengthen his case on home turf last summer, giving his manager more than enough reasons to look at other options.
The days of Weah completing a USMNT front line alongside Pulisic and Balogun appear to be behind him. The 26-year-old, now predominantly deployed as a right back or right wingback, has never fully bounced back from his red card at the 2024 Copa América.
Despite being a consistent starter at Marseille with three goal contributions in his last four outings, Weah's lack of impact for the USMNT—his most recent international goal came in November 2024—gives Pochettino sufficient grounds to hand his spot to someone who not only contributes in attack but also suits the manager's system.
Peyton Miller
Calling it a snub may be a stretch, but Peyton Miller's absence was certainly unexpected. The New England Revolution standout was among the debutants who caught the eye during the September-October international break, enough so that he returned to MLS action amid Premier League transfer speculation.
Miller is having a remarkable season with the Revolution, racking up 14 goal contributions in 31 appearances at just 18 years old. The fullback may not attract the same spotlight as forwards like Sullivan and Hall, but he is an undeniably exciting young talent.
The silver lining for Miller is that he will have plenty of chances to impress Pochettino ahead of the 2030 World Cup. The Stars and Stripes return to action in December for a camp that will largely feature MLS-based players.