Los Angeles (United States) (AFP) – Sixteen-year-old talent Cavan Sullivan was named in a new-look United States squad on Thursday as head coach Mauricio Pochettino begins the long journey to the 2030 World Cup. Philadelphia Union phenomenon Sullivan, who turns 17 on September 28, is one of eight teenagers included in Pochettino’s 28-man roster for friendlies against Peru, Chile, Mexico, and Canada.
Sullivan is widely regarded as the most talented young prospect in US soccer and has already signed an agreement which will see the attacking midfielder join English Premier League giants Manchester City when he turns 18 next year. Pochettino said Thursday that Sullivan’s elevation to the senior US squad was well-deserved following a string of impressive performances in Major League Soccer, where he has scored six goals with nine assists in 16 starts.
Related news
“He deserves all the praise he’s getting, because he’s performing well, playing well, giving assists and scoring goals,” Pochettino said. “He’s only 16, he’s a kid, but I think the most important thing is that we have the opportunity now to work with him in the national team, the possibility to talk and to share ideas. He’s special because he’s 16 and playing at this level in MLS…Now it’s another challenge because international competition is a different level. The most important thing is that we need to have a clear idea how to provide him with the best platform to evolve every day.”
Pochettino last month signed a contract extension which will see him remain as US head coach through the 2030 World Cup. It follows a successful 2026 World Cup campaign which saw his team reach the last 16, where they were defeated by Belgium. Thirteen members of Pochettino’s World Cup squad have been included in the squad for the upcoming friendlies. Several notable members of the USA’s World Cup campaign, including Christian Pulisic and Folarin Balogun, are absent as they recover from injuries.
“This is the beginning of a fresh start for everyone and we are excited in these first matches to bring a group of experienced players along with some young talents who have great potential,” Pochettino said. “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. Most importantly, they must show the commitment to representing the country in the way our fans deserve.”
The squad also sees a recall for Yunus Musah, the AC Milan midfielder who fell out of favour with Pochettino last year after electing to skip the CONCACAF Gold Cup. The United States open their international fixtures against Peru on September 26 at Orlando, Florida, and follow that three days later with a match against Chile in St. Louis. The team then faces old rivals Mexico in a friendly in Glendale, Arizona on October 3, before taking on Canada in St. Paul, Minnesota on October 6.
**Squad:**
**Goalkeepers:** Chris Brady (Chicago Fire), Matt Freese (New York City FC), Diego Kochen (Lyngby Boldklub/DEN), Brian Schwake (Nashville SC)
**Defenders:** George Campbell (West Bromwich Albion/ENG), Sergino Dest (PSV Eindhoven/NED), Alex Freeman (Villarreal/ESP), Peyton Miller (New England Revolution), Neil Pierre (Philadelphia Union), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace/ENG), Antonee Robinson (Fulham/ENG), Miles Robinson (Cincinnati), Auston Trusty (Celtic/SCO), Frankie Westfield (Philadelphia Union)
**Midfielders:** Tyler Adams (Bournemouth/ENG), Mathis Albert (Borussia Dortmund/GER), Sebastian Berhalter (Middlesbrough/ENG), Zavier Gozo (Crystal Palace/ENG), Adri Mehmeti (Red Bull New York), Yunus Musah (AC Milan/ITA), Brooklyn Raines (New England Revolution), Gio Reyna (Strasbourg/FRA), Malik Tillman (Bayer Leverkusen/GER)
**Forwards:** Cole Campbell (Elversberg/GER); Justin Ellis (Orlando City), Julian Hall (Red Bull New York), Ricardo Pepi (PSV Eindhoven/NED), Cavan Sullivan (Philadelphia Union)
© 2024 AFP
