First International Window of the New Cycle is Successful

The Americans Found Their Stride With Four Wins from Four Matches to Start the 2030 World Cup Cycle

The U.S. men’s national team’s first window since the World Cup ended with a perfect four wins from four, treating the camp as a laboratory. Mauricio Pochettino, whose side was knocked out by Belgium in the round of 16 this summer, rotated heavily and handed 13 players debuts, many of them teenagers.

The results were lopsided early. The Americans beat Peru 4-1 in Orlando, then Chile 4-2 in St. Louis, then Mexico 3-0 in Glendale. The finale against Canada was a bruising 1-0 affair that lacked the fluidity of the earlier games but showed a gritty side. The four matches saw 12 goals, and the run marked the program’s first four-game winning streak in official FIFA windows in more than five years.

The youngsters stole the show. Justin Ellis, 19, scored the window's opening goal and the winner at its close. Julian Hall, 18, scored in each of his first three appearances. Mathis Albert, 17, became the youngest scorer in U.S. history against Chile, a record that lasted four days before fellow 17-year-old Cavan Sullivan topped it against Mexico.

Others made their cases too. Brian Schwake earned a clean sheet in his first start, and Diego Kochen’s showing against Mexico could earn him another look. Gio Reyna started all four games, while Malik Tillman and Alex Freeman supplied much of the creativity.

Pochettino stressed that the younger players must seize their chances. “They need to be ready to take the opportunity,” he said. The harder question is who stays once the established names return. The next test is a Concacaf Nations League quarterfinal against Haiti in November.

Fourth Win of the Window

Ellis's Goal Was the Difference in American Victory Over Canada

Mauricio Pochettino’s United States closed out its fall camp the way it began, with a win, though this one was far less polished than the others. On Tuesday night in St. Paul, Minnesota, the Americans edged Canada 1-0 for a fourth victory in as many matches since their round-of-16 World Cup exit against Belgium.

Justin Ellis made the difference. The 19-year-old Orlando City striker, who also scored against Peru on Sept. 26, took a heavy challenge around the 20th minute and needed treatment on the touchline. He returned still limping, and by the 29th minute he was in the right spot when Alex Freeman delivered a cross, steering it into the net.

Little flowed after that. Canada played a physical game, and the contest became a scrappy back-and-forth as both coaches dug deep into their benches without finding a second goal. Pochettino changed six starters from the side that beat Mexico 3-0, including a first senior start for 17-year-old winger Mathis Albert, again blending youth and experience.

In goal, Nashville SC’s Brian Schwake earned a clean sheet in his first start. His standout moment came in the 63rd minute, when he got a hand to a close-range effort from Luc de Fougerolles and sent it off the crossbar.

Pochettino praised his players’ stamina after a compressed schedule. “The effort was massive,” he said, pointing to four games in two weeks. “I’m not happy because we won. I’m happy because of the performance and the commitment that the players showed.”

The U.S. now holds a 17-13-12 (WDL) all-time record against Canada. Next, the U.S. faces Haiti in a two-leg Concacaf Nations League quarterfinal in November, with a semifinal spot on the line. Canada will face Guatemala.

Kochen Shuts the Door

In His First International Start, Goalkeeper Posts a Shutout

Few goalkeepers get a debut start against Mexico. Diego Kochen got one, and he made it count. The 20-year-old kept a clean sheet in Saturday’s 3-0 win in Glendale and became the youngest goalkeeper to start for the United States against El Tri.

Mauricio Pochettino’s decision to hand him the gloves over World Cup starter Matt Freese was the biggest surprise of the lineup. Kochen had earned his first cap only a week earlier, playing the second half of the win over Peru.

Mexico tested him early, with Luis Romo’s long-range effort in the opening stretch and a loose ball in the box that Santiago Giménez couldn’t convert. Kochen’s best moment came in the 57th minute, when he deflected a hard Roberto Alvarado shot over the bar to preserve the 1-0 lead. That save came just before Cavan Sullivan doubled the advantage. He also looked comfortable on the ball.

The performance came despite a rough stretch at club level. Kochen is on loan at Lyngby in the Danish Superliga, where the newly promoted side has won just one of its first nine league games, with Kochen playing every minute and conceding 16 goals. The Miami-born keeper came through Barcelona’s La Masia academy, and he hasn’t forgotten where he wants to end up. “It’d be any kid’s dream to go back to such a big club,” he said.

For now, he’s focused on the national team. “I’m just creating memories,” Kochen said. “These are some things I’ll never forget for the rest of my life.” With a goalkeeper spot seemingly open as the 2030 cycle begins, Kochen has given Pochettino plenty to think about ahead of the November Nations League quarterfinals.

Hall's Impressive Run

Young Forward Keeps the Streak Alive Against Mexico

Julian Hall has made scoring for the U.S. men’s national team look routine. On Saturday in Glendale, the 18-year-old forward did it for the third time in as many appearances, giving the Americans a 1-0 lead over Mexico in the 28th minute.

The goal arrived at a time when the U.S. was struggling. Mexico had dominated the early stages, and Mauricio Pochettino admitted his side “never connected” and was “losing all the duels.” Then Gio Reyna sent a low cross in from the right, Raúl Rangel failed to handle it cleanly, and Hall was waiting to finish from close range with his right foot.

The strike put the New York Red Bulls forward in rare company. Only Eddie Johnson (2004-05) and Alexander Rae (1937) had previously scored in each of their first three USMNT games. Hall is also the third-youngest player to score against Mexico, at 18 years and 194 days, and reportedly the youngest in international soccer to score in his first three caps since Pelé in 1957.

His run began a week earlier with a debut goal against Peru, coming off a Sebastian Berhalter cross. He followed it by heading in a Reyna delivery against Chile, which made him the youngest American to score in his first two caps.

The production comes during a breakout year at club level. Hall has 10 goals and five assists for the Red Bulls, a team-high in goal contributions, and earned an MLS All-Star selection this summer. He signed his homegrown contract at 15.

Pochettino called the quality of his young players “a fantastic problem” to have, and said the staff will make “the right decision in the right moment.” After Saturday, Hall has made the decision more difficult.

Sullivan Rewrites History

The Teenager Playmaker's Historic Moment in Glendale

Mathis Albert had four days to enjoy the title of youngest goalscorer in U.S. Men’s National Team history. On Saturday night, Cavan Sullivan took it.

The Philadelphia Union midfielder was 17 years and five days old when he struck in the 62nd minute against Mexico. The Americans led 1-0 thanks to Julian Hall, and Sullivan’s pressure on the Mexican backline forced a poor pass from goalkeeper Raúl Rangel. Sullivan seized on it and sent a long-distance chip over Rangel and into the empty net. Albert was 17 years and 131 days old when he set the mark against Chile, and Christian Pulisic was 17 years and 253 days old before that.

He scored the goal in just his third cap, a week after becoming the youngest American to start a match since Freddy Adu in 2006.

Sullivan said his dream goal felt unreal in the moment. “I was getting nervous when it was in the air and then... it’s a blur,” he said. He also admitted that without the adrenaline, “I think I would’ve probably shed a tear.”

His relentless work without the ball earned praise from the veterans around him. Captain Tyler Adams highlighted his pressing, then added, “I think we gotta stop talking about his age. He’s here for a reason.” Mauricio Pochettino called him “a fighter” and “a warrior,” pointing to his quality on the ball and his appetite for winning it back.

Sullivan was substituted a few minutes later, receiving a hug from his coach, applause from American fans and boos from Mexico’s supporters. Auston Trusty handed him the match ball at the final whistle.

“Greatest day of my life,” Sullivan said. The U.S. won 3-0, and a young group now heads into Tuesday’s friendly with Canada.

Americans Humble Mexico

Young Squad Wins Third in a Row With the Biggest Rivals as the Latest Victim

Two teenagers and a gift-wrapped night of Mexican errors powered the U.S. men’s national team to a 3-0 friendly win over Mexico on Saturday at State Farm Stadium, the 80th meeting between the rivals.

El Tri controlled the opening 20 minutes before the Americans found their footing. In the 28th minute, Gio Reyna’s cross from the right was mishandled by goalkeeper Raúl Rangel, and 18-year-old Julian Hall pounced, tapping home from close range. It was his third goal in as many caps.

Rangel struck again after the hour. His pass went straight to Cavan Sullivan, who chipped a long-range effort into the empty net at 17 years and five days old, making him the youngest goalscorer in USMNT history. Sullivan broke a record Mathis Albert set just days earlier, and Mauricio Pochettino hugged him when he was substituted.

The night soured further for Mexico in the 67th minute, when halftime sub Mateo Chávez fouled Yunus Musah and then slapped Sebastian Berhalter in the face, earning a straight red. Malik Tillman punished the 10 men, pouncing on a loose back-pass to finish in the 84th minute.

Diego Kochen, making his first international start in goal, kept a clean sheet and made a fine save from Roberto Alvarado.

Rafa Márquez, losing for the first time as Mexico’s coach, did not hide his frustration. “They were very rough errors, and ultimately you end up almost, almost gifting three goals to the opposing team,” he said. Midfielder Erik Lira added that the squad wouldn’t single anyone out: “We don’t point at anyone.”

For the Americans, the win capped a strong window after victories over Peru (4-1) and Chile (4-2), and it came in the first match since Tyler Adams was named captain. Next up is Canada on Tuesday in Saint Paul.

Berhalter Stays Strong

After a Strong World Cup and Move to England, the Midfielder Continues His Form into the Cycle

Sebastian Berhalter has gone from an afterthought to one of America's most influential players this international window.

The 25-year-old midfielder scored and assisted in the 4-1 win over Peru, then did it again in Tuesday’s 4-2 win over Chile, becoming only the second player in USMNT history to score and assist in consecutive matches. Landon Donovan is the other. Berhalter has had a hand in half of the eight goals the U.S. has scored in this camp.

Against Chile, he put the Americans ahead in the 37th minute, finishing at the near post after Sergiño Dest’s cross and a clever stepover from Julian Hall. He later whipped in the corner that Chris Richards headed home for the winner, the third of Richards’ four international goals Berhalter has set up.

It is a long way from where he stood at the start of 2025, when he had no senior caps. He debuted that June against Switzerland, went on to play in the Gold Cup, and has since collected 20 caps and four goals. At the World Cup, he came off the bench in the round-of-16 loss to Belgium, unleashing a shot that just missed and waving up the crowd in Seattle, and he finished the tournament with two goal contributions—both against Turkiye.

After the World Cup, he left the Vancouver Whitecaps for Middlesbrough, where he has two goals and two assists as the club sits third in the Championship. Mauricio Pochettino has noticed. “To have a player like him is priceless,” the coach said, praising his versatility and example for newcomers. Berhalter deflected the credit. “I think it’s more the team,” he said. “For me, it’s about helping the younger guys, and then also just being myself.”

Albert Makes History

Teenage Winger Becomes the Youngest USMNT Goalscorer with Late Goal Against Chile

Mathis Albert needed less than four days to leave his mark on the U.S. Men’s National Team.

The Borussia Dortmund winger, just 17 years old, scored in stoppage time Tuesday night in St. Louis to seal a 4-2 win over Chile, becoming the youngest goalscorer in USMNT history at 17 years and 131 days. He broke Christian Pulisic's record.

The goal came after Chris Richards had restored the U.S. lead, with Albert crashing toward goal and tapping the ball home off the underside of the crossbar. By his own account, the significance didn’t register right away. “I didn’t even know until I went in the locker room, but it’s really good,” he said. “I’m happy to score, being the youngest ever.”

It capped a quick introduction to the senior team. Albert earned his first call-up from Mauricio Pochettino this month and debuted on Sept. 26 against Peru, coming off the bench and quickly drawing a penalty that Malik Tillman converted.

Born in Greenville, South Carolina, Albert has a French father and an American mother of German descent, which gives him citizenship in both countries. He came up through the LA Galaxy academy, drawing interest from Dutch and French clubs, before moving to Dortmund in 2024.

His rise has been rapid. At 16, he was the youngest player at the 2025 Club World Cup, though he didn't play. In April, he became the youngest American to play in the Bundesliga, coming on late in a win over Freiburg and surpassing the mark set by Gio Reyna.

Albert had also moved through the U.S. youth ranks, from the under-15s through the under-17s, and played at the U-17 World Cup in November 2025.

Now, with the Mexico match looming Saturday, he has a record and a growing case for more minutes.

Young Americans Earn Another Friendly Victory

The USMNT Earned a Second Friendly Win, This Time After Trailing in the Second Half

The U.S. men’s national team overcame two deficits Tuesday night to beat Chile 4-2 in a friendly at Energizer Park in St. Louis, behind a young, sometimes shaky lineup.

Sebastian Berhalter gave the Americans a 37th-minute lead, finishing a Sergiño Dest cross after Julian Hall’s clever dummy opened space. The U.S. had been living dangerously, with Chile hitting the woodwork twice, and the visitors leveled in first-half stoppage time. Diego Ulloa pounced on a scramble after goalkeeper Chris Brady failed to clear a corner.

Maximiliano Gutiérrez put Chile ahead in the 49th minute, cutting in from the left to beat Brian Schwake, who had replaced Brady at halftime and was making his senior debut.

The response was immediate. Hall rose to head in a Gio Reyna cross in the 51st minute, becoming the youngest player to score in each of his first two USMNT appearances. Chris Richards, one of several World Cup veterans who changed the tone after coming on in the second half, powered home a Berhalter corner in the 72nd minute for a 3-2 lead. Mathis Albert added a stoppage-time goal to seal the win.

“The resilience and everything was fantastic,” coach Mauricio Pochettino said.

Pochettino fielded his youngest lineup yet, and six players made their first career starts: Brady, Hall, Adri Mehmeti, Neil Pierre, Brooklyn Raines and Frankie Westfield. Antonee Robinson wore the captain’s armband for the first time, as St. Louis native Tim Ream was honored after announcing his retirement.

The match ended in a benches-clearing scuffle after Chile’s Leandro Hernández swiped at the ball while Schwake held it. Richards and Hernández were each booked.

“If you mess with family, this is what happens,” Richards said.

The U.S. next faces rival Mexico in Arizona on Saturday.

Ellis Makes History

 Teenager Became The Quickest USMNT Debutant to Score in the Modern Era

Justin Ellis did not have to wait long to make his mark on the U.S. men’s national team. Four minutes into his debut against Peru on Saturday, the 19-year-old Orlando City homegrown had already scored, and he did it in the stadium he calls home.

The goal was a family affair. Ellis started the move himself, drawing a foul on the left side about 25 yards out. Gio Reyna stepped up to deliver the free kick, and Ellis got ahead of his marker to flick a header that curled toward the far post and settled in off the woodwork. It was the fastest goal by a debutant in the program's modern era, and it made Ellis the first player to score on his U.S. debut on home soil in Florida since Brandon Vazquez in January 2023.

Even the script seemed pre-written. Head coach Mauricio Pochettino told Ellis another goal was coming, and Reyna said the day before that he planned to set him up. “I don’t know how he called it,” Ellis said. “It’s just an unbelievable moment.”

The finish capped a steep rise. Ellis won MLS NEXT’s U19 MVP award in 2025, helped Orlando’s academy lift the Generation adidas Cup, and signed his first-team deal in February. Only months later, he was in a senior national team camp. He also became eligible to represent Uruguay through his mother, and Uruguay coach Diego Forlán reportedly met with him the week before his U.S. call-up, which makes this debut look like a statement of intent.

As the team opened a new cycle after a round-of-16 World Cup exit, Ellis embodied the experiment: young, fearless and ready. Pochettino cautioned that these players still need patience, but Ellis gave the staff plenty to think about.