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The September-October 2026 window proved to be a landmark moment for the U.S. men's national team, with 13 players earning their senior debuts and several others leaving a lasting impression.
Chris Brady, Diego Kochen and Brian Schwake each started a match between the posts, signaling a renewed focus on quality goalkeeping. Eight teenagers, among them Cavan Sullivan and Julian Hall, captured widespread attention after holding their own against even the most experienced international opponents.
The USMNT will now face Haiti in a two-game competitive series in the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals in mid-November. Unlike last month's friendlies, there will be considerably less room for tinkering. USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino is set to announce his squad on Wednesday, with veteran stars such as Timothy Weah, Brenden Aaronson and Christian Pulisic expected to return. That said, he will also be looking to retain a handful of promising young talents.
Pochettino will need to coordinate with U-23 manager Steve Cherundolo, however, as the youth squad is set to gather during the same week to kick off preparations for the 2028 Summer Olympics.
With all of that in mind, which young players deserve another senior call-up from Pochettino ahead of the November international window?
Julian Hall Merits USMNT Return
Pochettino can address two needs at once by summoning Julian Zakrzewski Hall. Two years after becoming the second-youngest scorer in MLS history, the New York Red Bulls forward has taken the league by storm. The 18-year-old has netted 13 goals and contributed five assists across 32 league outings, and while he couldn't guide his side to the playoffs, he has done more than enough to earn Pochettino's consideration.
After registering a goal and an assist on his senior debut against Peru on Sep. 26, Hall found the net again against both Chile and Mexico, becoming just the third player in USMNT history to score in each of his first three appearances — and the youngest to do so. Hall is in blistering form, and he'll be aiming to score in his third consecutive MLS match against Atlanta United on Saturday, before potentially making his competitive USMNT debut.
Even with World Cup forwards Folarin Balogun and Ricardo Pepi expected to return, they are more likely to replace Damion Downs and Ellis rather than Hall. He has proven himself as a player for the here and now, not merely the future, and it comes as little surprise that he is caught in a tug-of-war between two nations.
Poland has made considerable efforts to persuade him to switch international allegiances as it searches for a successor to Robert Lewandowski, but Hall appears committed to representing the Stars and Stripes. He will be officially cap-tied should he feature in either match against Haiti, and given that he is in sharper form than any other USMNT striker, there is every reason for him to play a central role.
Cavan Sullivan Belongs in Red, White and Blue
Sullivan has already captured the nation's imagination this year, racking up six goals and 10 assists in MLS action since mid-August to help lift Philadelphia Union up the table and into serious playoff contention. Now, the 17-year-old sensation is making his presence felt on the international stage.
He made his senior debut last month and became the youngest goalscorer in USMNT history — at just 17 years and five days old — with a delightful chip over El Tri in a commanding 3–0 victory over the Americans' fiercest rivals. He earned starting berths in two of the four autumn friendlies, including the highly anticipated showdown with Mexico.
Although Sullivan was managing a troublesome ankle injury last week, he has since returned to action and is expected to pick up right where he left off with the USMNT.
New England Duo Provides Wildcard Option
The New England Revolution are heading back to the postseason for the first time in three years, thanks in no small part to two of MLS's brightest young talents: Brooklyn Raines and Peyton Miller.
Raines has elevated his game since making the move from Houston to New England following the 2025 season, displaying impressive maturity in his spatial awareness, decision-making and ability to escape pressure and drive the ball into open space. He ranks in the 76th percentile among MLS midfielders for progressive carrying, and he is equally capable of keeping his side in matches with crucial last-ditch defensive interventions.
While Raines has helped solidify the midfield, Miller has injected fresh dynamism into New England's attack. Able to surge forward from the left back role and leave opponents guessing with sharp changes of direction, Miller pairs his exceptional pace with an astute sense of timing in his runs. Whether deployed at left back or on the wing, he has been a consistent threat, contributing seven goals and nine assists so far.
Both Miller and Raines have already shared a pitch in a World Cup, helping the U.S. advance to the quarterfinals of the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile before falling to eventual champions Morocco. If they continue their current trajectory, it is only a matter of time before they are featuring in a World Cup for the senior national team.