The 2030 Cycle Starts Now for the USMNT
The story of World Cup 2026 has been written and published. As that chapter closes, we turn the page to the 2030 cycle and introduce a new cast of characters to the USMNT fanbase.
One face remains the same: the head coach. Mauricio Pochettino returns to build the team for the 2030 World Cup, but calls this window “the beginning of a fresh start for everyone.” Some World Cup veterans return while many stars were left off the roster to give opportunities to younger, hungry players.
Everyone will navigate a new format for this window. The USMNT will play four games during this longer window: Saturday, Sept. 26, vs. Peru, in Orlando; Tuesday, Sept. 29, vs. Chile, in St. Louis; Saturday, Oct. 3, vs. Mexico, in Glendale, Arizona; and Tuesday, Oct. 6, vs. Canada, in St. Paul, Minnesota.
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What to know:
1. The stars aren't here, and that’s OK. Christian Pulisic, Folarin Balogun, and Weston McKennie are among the 13 players from the 2026 World Cup roster who won’t come to this camp.
2. Youth won’t be wasted on the young. Overall, the average age of this roster is 22 years, nine months, and 12 of the 28 players are making their first senior USMNT roster.
“It’s a new cycle. It’s not what happened a year ago or what happened at the World Cup. To be honest, it is a fresh start.” – Mauricio Pochettino.
3. We’re eyeing a Gold Medal. We’re accustomed to the USWNT winning gold at the Summer Olympics, and the men want to chase that dream in 2028. Pochettino has called in 12 age-eligible players to train under him and U23 coach Steve Cherundolo.
“The country loves the Olympic Games, and we know it’s going to be important for soccer.”
4. Four games to play and more time together. FIFA approved this expanded window by combining the September and October dates, giving teams 16 days to train and play matches.
“It will be important that they all understand our culture, our way of working, and of course the principles of how we want to play.”
What to watch for:
- Everyone is on a clean slate, including the guys we saw this summer.
- Who shows they can be part of the next edition of the USMNT?
- Which youngsters can bring their club form to the international game?
- How will the coaching staff and players make the most of the extra time together?
- Do the goals still flow like we saw at the World Cup?
- North American Rivalries vs. Mexico and Canada. How "friendly" will these matches be? Probably not at all.
- We're on a five-game unbeaten streak against CONMEBOL competition, and are 5-2-2 in our last nine games.
The USMNT Roster for September/October 2026
GOALKEEPERS (4): Chris Brady (Chicago Fire; 1/0), Matt Freese (New York City FC; 19/0), Diego Kochen (Lyngby Boldklub/DEN; 0/0), Brian Schwake (Nashville SC; 0/0)
DEFENDERS (10): George Campbell (West Bromwich Albion FC/ENG; 1/0), Sergiño Dest (PSV Eindhoven/NED; 44/3), Alex Freeman (Villarreal/ESP; 22/3), Peyton Miller (New England Revolution; 0/0), Neil Pierre (Philadelphia Union; 0/0), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace/ENG; 40/3), Antonee Robinson (Fulham/ENG; 58/5), Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati; 41/3), Auston Trusty (Celtic/SCO; 10/1), Frankie Westfield (Philadelphia Union; 0/0)
MIDFIELDERS (9): Tyler Adams (AFC Bournemouth/ENG; 58/2), Mathis Albert (Borussia Dortmund/GER; 0/0), Sebastian Berhalter (Middlesbrough/ENG; 18/2), Zavier Gozo (Crystal Palace/ENG; 0/0), Adri Mehmeti (Red Bull New York; 0/0), Yunus Musah (AC Milan/ITA; 47/1), Brooklyn Raines (New England Revolution; 0/0), Gio Reyna (RC Strasbourg Alsace/FRA; 43/10), Malik Tillman (Bayer Leverkusen/GER; 35/5)
FORWARDS (5): Cole Campbell (SV Elversberg/GER; 0/0); Justin Ellis (Orlando City SC; 0/0), Julian Hall (Red Bull New York; 0/0), Ricardo Pepi (PSV Eindhoven/NED; 42/13), Cavan Sullivan (Philadelphia Union; 0/0)
The Schedule and Opponents
Saturday, Sept. 26, 4:30 PM ET | vs. Peru
The USMNT returns to the Orlando Fortress hoping to keep its unblemished record at Inter & Co. Stadium.
Night Before: 5–10 PM, Ivanhoe Park Lager House, 23 N Orange Blossom Trl, Orlando, FL, 32805. $5 Dos Ale Cero special edition cans!
Pregame: 10:30 AM – 3 PM; march leaves at 2:45. Ivanhoe Park Lager House, 23 N Orange Blossom Trl, Orlando, FL, 32805. $5 Dos Ale Cero special edition cans!
Tuesday, Sept. 29, 7:00 PM CT | vs. Chile
We host another South American opponent in one of American soccer’s cultural hubs.
Night Before: 6–10 PM. Amsterdam Tavern, 3175 Morganford Rd, St. Louis, MO, 63116. Happy Hour specials all night long.
Pregame: 3–7 PM, march leaves at 6:45. Schlafly Tap Room, 2100 Locust St, St. Louis, MO, United States, 63103. Show your AO Digital Membership Card to get $1 off AO beer.
Opponent’s Roster: https://laroja.cl/new/nicols-crdova-entrega-la-nmina-de-la-seleccin-chilena-para-la-gira-a-norteamrica
Saturday, Oct. 3, 7:00 PM MT | vs. Mexico
“Friendly” never applies when the USMNT faces El Tri. The rivalry renews for a fourth time in State Farm Stadium.
Night Before: Info coming soon
Tailgate: Info coming soon
Tuesday, Oct. 6, 7:00 PM CT | vs. Canada
We close out this four-match window against another Concacaf rival. St. Paul will host this clash with Canada.
Night Before: Black Heart of St. Paul, 1415 University Ave W, St. Paul, MN 55104
Tailgate: Info coming soon
New players join World Cup veterans to kickstart the 2030 cycle. Get behind the team now, as they start writing the next chapter in the story of the USMNT. Support the USMNT with us!
Find your people: https://theamericanoutlaws.com/chapters