World Soccer.—The U.S. national team welcomes back three of its star players for a key match on the international calendar. Christian Pulisic, Folarin Balogun, and Weston McKennie lead Mauricio Pochettino’s roster for the CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinals against Haiti.
The Argentine coach presented a 25-player roster that combines experience and youth. In addition to bringing back regulars to the U.S. squad, Pochettino has opened the door to new faces who could make their debuts with the national team.
Pulisic’s return is particularly notable, as the AC Milan forward had been out of the national team for several months due to an injury sustained during the 2026 World Cup.
Christian Pulisic returns after a serious injury
The American soccer player was unavailable for the September and October friendlies, in which the United States secured victories over Peru, Chile, Mexico, and Canada.
Pulisic was recovering from a microfracture and a bone injury to his right tibia and fibula, injuries he sustained during the 4-1 loss to Belgium in the World Cup round of 16.
Now, his inclusion is welcome news for Pochettino, who once again has one of the most important players in his squad at his disposal. The roster also includes Weston McKennie, a midfielder for Juventus, and Folarin Balogun, a forward for Monaco.
Balogun’s situation is unique. The forward was not considered for the most recent friendlies after sitting out the first four matches of the Ligue 1 season, following the collapse of a potential transfer to Everton. Since then, he has appeared in five matches, all as a substitute.
Pochettino believes this call-up can help him regain his rhythm and confidence after a difficult summer. <Cite refs={["turn758624news2","turn758624search1"]}/>
Pochettino Bets on Young Players and New Opportunities
The roster also reflects the coach’s intention to expand the U.S. team’s options ahead of its upcoming matches. Notable names include Reed Baker-Whiting, a right back for Nashville SC, and Santiago Castañeda, a midfielder for Paderborn in Germany. Both are 21 years old and could make their senior national team debuts.
Also noteworthy is the inclusion of Cavan Sullivan, one of the most promising young talents in U.S. soccer. The Philadelphia Union forward made his first appearance with the national team in September, shortly before turning 17, and later became the youngest American to score a goal for the national team during a match against Mexico.
Other young players called up include Mathis Albert and Adri Mehmeti, both 17; Julian Hall, 18; and Justin Ellis and Neil Pierre, both 19.
In contrast, players such as Tim Weah, Matt Turner, Joe Scally, and Aidan Morris were left off this roster. Additionally, Alejandro Zendejas, Johnny Cardoso, Haji Wright, and Miles Robinson were not considered due to various injuries, while Ricardo Pepi continues to recover from a muscle injury.
When does the United States play Haiti?
Pochettino’s team will face Haiti in a two-game series as part of the CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinals.
The first match will be played on November 14 in Miami, while the second leg is scheduled for November 17 in Cincinnati. The series will be decided by aggregate score, and the winner will advance to the semifinals, scheduled for March 22–30 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
With Pulisic, Balogun, and McKennie back in the lineup, the United States will look to take an important step forward in the tournament while continuing to build a roster capable of combining its established stars with the talent of the next generation.