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The United States men's national team has begun its journey toward the 2030 FIFA World Cup, though head coach Mauricio Pochettino is calling for a measured approach when it comes to bringing in new young talent.
A wave of excitement from supporters and widespread media coverage has followed the 2026 World Cup, largely focused on a group of rising American teenage players, as the soccer community speculates about what the national team roster might look like four years from now.
Despite the buzz, the Argentine coach is not rushing to test these promising youngsters. He plans to call up only a select few for the upcoming September-October international window, which includes friendly fixtures against Peru, Chile, Canada and Mexico—the team's first action since being eliminated in the round of 16 at the World Cup.
"We are going to do a mix of experienced players," Pochettino told a small group of reporters on Monday. "I think experienced players with young players that can fit together and start to work, and how the young kids start to manage the pressure to play in the first team."
While Pochettino is taking a cautious approach, that doesn't mean he isn't keeping a close eye on these young stars both on and off the field. Perhaps no player is under more scrutiny than 16-year-old Philadelphia Union standout Cavan Sullivan, who has shattered multiple records in MLS this season while also becoming a prominent media personality.
"We are watching everything. We are seeing everything," Pochettino said.
"They need to know that we know everything because we are also creating a very good link with all the coaches in MLS, and I think it's important not only to see them or watch the games, but their performance, what they are talking about in the media, how they behave with the opponent, how they behave with their teammates."
He added: "If we want to be a very good team, we want to build something different and be competitive. I think we need to be careful in all these aspects. All the interviews that the kids are doing, the players that we are considering and we are following, in the way that they talk with the coaches, in the way that they behave, how they arrive for training, if they arrive late or early, if they go early or late. If they are professional, they care about what we expect. I think we have all the information."
Cavan Sullivan Headlines Top USMNT Prospects
Sullivan's future with the USMNT remains the central narrative heading into 2030. Having contributed three goals and three assists across his last six appearances in all competitions for the Philadelphia Union, he is already one of the most in-form players in MLS and arguably possesses the highest potential of any USMNT prospect.
While his performances in MLS have made a strong case for a call-up, Pochettino appeared to subtly address Sullivan's well-known boldness and self-assurance, traits he exhibits both on and off the field.
Most recently, Sullivan spoke candidly on Alexi Lalas's State of the Union Podcast, claiming he could have made an impact in the round of 16 World Cup defeat against Belgium. "I think I could come into that game on the right side and make a difference, right?" Sullivan said. "You have to believe in yourself."
Pochettino encouraged his young players, Sullivan included, to recognize when confidence and boldness serve a purpose individually, and when they risk becoming counterproductive—particularly when building a collective team identity.
"It's so important to have respect, to be professional," Pochettino said. "Even if you are young and you are good, and you are confident, you need to use your confidence and your arrogance to score goals and to perform every day and improve every day and be much better."
"We are very happy to have all these potential good players," he added. "Being young, and with a possibility to perform and to play. Only we need to be careful, no? We need to be careful because when you are young, of course you need to be confident. You need to have trust in yourself and believe that you can perform and you can do well. But I think there is a limit."
U.S. Olympic Team Is an Important Step
While young players will be gradually introduced into the senior squad, there will be additional significant opportunities for these prospects to represent the country, most notably through the U-23 program at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
The national side will be guided by former LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo during the summer of 2028, with possible involvement from Pochettino as well.
There is little question that the current generation of USMNT youth talent is exceptionally gifted, but developing them will require a thoughtful and patient process. The Olympics will serve as a crucial milestone along that path.