Four Fresh Faces Who Could Earn Their First USMNT Cap This Fall—Ranked

The next chapter of the U.S. men's national team will bring some fresh faces into the fold, manager Mauricio Pochettino told the media this week, though he stressed a measured approach alongside the squad's experienced core. 

As the USMNT prepares for its first matches since being eliminated from the 2026 World Cup on home turf in the round of 16 by Belgium, a revamped roster and the road to 2030 begin in earnest. For Pochettino, this comes with a renewed contract and a long-term outlook, with the LA 2028 Olympic U-23 tournament also high on U.S. Soccer's agenda. 

In the weeks ahead, Pochettino is set to name an anticipated expanded roster for friendlies against Peru, Chile, Canada and Mexico, with all of those factors in play.

Here, Sports Illustrated looks at four currently uncapped players who could find themselves on that list later this month. 

4. Cole Campbell (SV Elversberg)

SV Elversberg, representing a town of just 11,000 residents, is one of the most compelling stories of the 2026–27 European season. In the latest installment of their remarkable rise through the ranks of German football, they have claimed three victories from their opening three Bundesliga fixtures.

Cole Campbell, a 20-year-old right winger, has been central to that early-season form, netting in a 3–2 opening-day victory over Bayer Leverkusen and logging 129 minutes across the first two matches. 

While Pochettino's attacking options carry reasonable depth at this stage, it would be a near-dereliction of duty for the Argentine not to hand an in-form youngster an opportunity this fall. At the very minimum, he warrants consideration at the international level and could prove an ideal candidate for the Olympics in just under two years. 

3. Zavier Gozo (Crystal Palace)

Zavier Gozo is not as well-positioned to contribute to the USMNT as he was when he made a late push for the World Cup squad following a standout start to the season with Real Salt Lake. Although he set a record as the most expensive outgoing homegrown sale this summer with his $15 million transfer to Crystal Palace, he has managed just 39 minutes at the senior level since departing MLS. 

Even so, including the transition-oriented wingback in an expanded roster could prove beneficial and would at least provide him with some much-needed playing time. It is also anticipated that Steve Cherundolo will be part of the camp, and giving Gozo the chance to impress in front of the U.S. Olympic manager ahead of the Los Angeles 2028 Games could be valuable, given that Antonee Robinson and Sergiño Dest are expected to retain their starting spots in the USMNT's primary lineup.

2. Neil Pierre (Philadelphia Union)

The future of the center back position is under serious scrutiny following the anticipated retirement of World Cup captain Tim Ream. Crystal Palace mainstay Chris Richards will continue to anchor the defensive line, but the other spot at the back will be subject to experimentation in the period ahead. 

Neil Pierre will certainly earn a look at some stage, and the relatively low-pressure fall friendlies, with an expanded roster, could be the ideal moment to give him his first opportunity. Standing at an imposing 6'7", the 18-year-old has enjoyed a breakout MLS campaign alongside Cavan Sullivan at the Philadelphia Union, accumulating 754 minutes this season and developing into a starter-quality central defender. 

While he may not yet be the answer alongside Richards in high-stakes matches, that potential is evident and worth exploring. His aerial presence and set-piece threat — with four goals this season — would also bring a dimension the USMNT currently lacks.

1. Cavan Sullivan (Philadelphia Union)

It would be all too easy for Pochettino and the USMNT to get fully swept up in the Cavan Sullivan hype. 

The 16-year-old sensation is shining for the Philadelphia Union in MLS and has hit a purple patch with three goals and six assists across his last six appearances,  propelling his side back into the MLS Cup playoff race.

Standing in his way, however, is Pochettino himself. Speaking to reporters this week, the Argentine head coach tempered expectations for those hoping to see a wholesale influx of young talent into the senior men's national team. He underlined the need for measured confidence and self-belief, as well as patience, to strike the right balance between experience and youth in this new cycle. 

Sullivan's performances clearly merit a call-up, and he will likely receive his first one this fall. Once the teenager enters camp, though, expect a far more cautious and protective approach than what he is accustomed to with the Union. 

"We need to be careful," Pochettino said of young players, "because when you are young, of course you need to be confident. You need to have the trust in yourself, the belief that you can perform and you can do well, but the thing is that there's a limit. The balance is the most important, and one of our responsibilities is to protect these guys."