Pulisic, McKennie headline US squad for October friendlies | The Express Tribune
Key Takeaways
- USA manager Mauricio Pochettino named a 26-man squad for two October friendlies.
- Key players Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie headline the squad, marking McKennie's return since March.
- The US will host friendlies against Ecuador (October 10, Austin) and Australia (October 14, Commerce City).
- Pochettino stated Pulisic is the most important player but warned that no player has a guaranteed spot for the World Cup.
- The squad includes 15 players who were not part of the September training camp, indicating continued evaluation.
USA manager Mauricio Pochettino has selected a 26-man squad for two October friendlies, prominently featuring AC Milan forward Christian Pulisic and Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie. McKennie is among several significant players returning to the national team setup after Pochettino had previously tested younger talent, including Fulham defender Antonee Robinson who is back after injury. The squad also sees the return of Cameron Carter-Vickers and Tanner Tessmann, with 15 players not present in the September camp being called up. The friendlies are scheduled against Ecuador in Austin, Texas, on October 10, followed by a match against Australia in Commerce City, Colorado, four days later. Pulisic is in excellent form, but Pochettino stressed that every player must continually prove their worth for the final World Cup roster, emphasizing a cultural shift away from guaranteed spots based on past performance.
