USMNT Clashes with South Korea: High-Stakes Friendly Showdown Preview and Bold Predictions

The United States men's national soccer team steps back onto the field for their first match following their defeat in the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup championship game, facing off against South Korea at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey.

While several important players are absent, including Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie, the fixture will mark Christian Pulisic's comeback to the USMNT roster after the AC Milan midfielder sat out the Gold Cup due to exhaustion.

Here's all the essential information you need for Saturday's encounter.

What Time Does USMNT vs. South Korea Kick-Off?

USMNT vs. South Korea Complete Head-to-Head Record

Current Form (All Competitions)

How to Watch USMNT vs. South Korea on TV, Live Stream

USMNT Team News

Manager Mauricio Pochettino has recalled several prominent European-based talents to his squad for the opening fall international window, while omitting various others, creating numerous selection debates surrounding the USMNT with nine months remaining until FIFA World Cup 2026.

Focus will center on Pulisic as he rejoins the team after netting twice for Milan across all competitions in the early stages of the Italian season, alongside Norwich City forward Josh Sargent, who has netted five times in four English Championship appearances.

Beyond these two offensive players, Pochettino will bring back PSV Eindhoven fullback Sergiño Dest for his first appearance since the squad's fourth-place showing at the 2025 Concacaf Nations League, plus Tim Weah, who recently transferred to Marseille in Ligue 1.

Additional selection dilemmas for Pochettino's team include the central defensive position. Crystal Palace's Chris Richards appears certain to start, but his potential partners could be Charlotte FC's Tim Ream, or possibly 18-year-old Augsburg defender Noahkai Banks and Vancouver Whitecaps FC's Tristan Blackmon.

USMNT Predicted Lineup vs. South Korea

USMNT Predicted Lineup vs. South Korea (4-2-3-1): Freese; Dest, Richards, Ream, Arfsten; Adams, de la Torre; Weah, Luna, Pulisic; Sargent

South Korea Team News

South Korea stands among 14 nations already secured for the 2026 World Cup and will probably enjoy substantial fan support in New Jersey, while the USMNT continues struggling with away crowd presence at domestic venues.

They remain anchored by Son Heung-min, who enters South Korea duty for the first time as an LAFC player, having joined the MLS side for a league-record transfer fee reportedly worth $26.5 million.

Manager Hong Myung-bo might also award a South Korea debut to Borussia Mönchengladbach midfielder Jens Castrop, who is poised to become the first player to switch nationalities to represent South Korea, after completing a one-time change from Germany.

Additionally, the 23rd-ranked team will rely on their promising European talents, including Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Lee Kang-in and FC Bayern Munich center back Kim Min-jae, both struggling for consistent playing time at the start of their European seasons.

South Korea Predicted Lineup vs. USMNT

South Korea Predicted Lineup vs. USMNT (4-2-2-2): Kim Seung-gyu; Seol Young-woo, Kim Min-jae, Byeon Jun-soo, Lee Myung-jae; Park Yong-woo, Seo Min-woo; Lee Kang-in, Bae Jun-ho; Son Heung-min, Oh Hyeon-gyu

USMNT vs. South Korea Score Prediction

South Korea enters the contest with Son Heung-min in excellent form and carrying more recent momentum from Asian World Cup qualification. Although the USMNT holds a superior FIFA ranking, Pochettino's squad development remains in its infancy, and that uncertain team chemistry might influence how successfully things unfold for the Stars and Stripes.

Score Prediction: USMNT 1–2 South Korea