Mauricio Pochettino flipped the script for the U.S. men’s national team’s fall friendlies, trusting eight teenagers to round out a new-look squad to kick off the 2030 World Cup cycle.
Without previous mainstays like Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie and Folarin Balogun making the cut, Pochettino put the pressure on his wide-eyed youngsters to usher in a new era for the Stars and Stripes. Fans were desperate for bounce-back performances after an embarrassing round of 16 exit at this summer’s World Cup on home soil.
