Pochettino Announces 25-Man US Men’s National Team Roster for November Friendlies vs Paraguay & Uruguay
Pochettino Picks Squad With an Eye on the 2026 World Cup
Mauricio Pochettino has selected a 25-player roster for the US Men’s National Team’s upcoming friendlies — scheduled for November 15 vs Paraguay national football team (in Chester, PA) and November 18 vs Uruguay national football team (in Tampa, FL).
Pochettino emphasised that, “as we continue to develop our squad and build on the culture we have created, this is another great opportunity for the players selected for this roster to prove they deserve to be on the final list for the World Cup.”
Key Inclusions & Returns
- Gio Reyna returns to the squad for the first time since March, signalling Pochettino’s willingness to give him another chance.
- Ricardo Pepi is back after roughly a year away from the national team setup.
- Young players such as Joe Scally also feature, offering fresh depth.
Notable Absences
Several established stars are missing from the list:
- Christian Pulisic still recovering from injury and therefore omitted.
- Weston McKennie is absent, raising questions about his role moving forward.
- Other capable players such as Antonee Robinson, Malik Tillman and Chris Richards are also missing, primarily due to injuries or strategic selection.
Roster Breakdown
Here’s how the 25-man roster is structured:
- Goalkeepers (4): Roman Celentano, Matt Freese, Jonathan Klinsmann, Patrick Schulte
- Defenders (9): Max Arfsten, Sergiño Dest, Alex Freeman, Mark McKenzie, Tim Ream, Miles Robinson, Joe Scally, John Tolkin, Auston Trusty
- Midfielders (7): Tyler Adams, Sebastian Berhalter, Aidan Morris, Gio Reyna, Cristian Roldan, Tanner Tessmann, Sean Zawadzki
- Forwards (5): Brenden Aaronson, Folarin Balogun, Diego Luna, Ricardo Pepi, Haji Wright
What It Means & Looking Ahead
This roster represents a blend of experience and youth, and Pochettino appears to be balancing between giving fresh players a look while keeping some senior names rested ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026.
The two upcoming matches against South American teams that have already qualified for the World Cup (Paraguay and Uruguay) provide important tests.
For those players selected, this window is a chance to stake their claim for the final squad. For those absent, it may signal a recalibration of their role.
