Mauricio Pochettino has selected his 26-man roster for the United States’ Concacaf Nations League quarter-final matches against Haiti, including recalls for Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie and Folarin Balogun. After 13 players earned their first caps in the previous window, only two selections could be in line for international debuts this month. The two-leg series against Haiti marks the first competitive action for the US since they exited the World Cup with a calamitous showing against Belgium in the last 16.
Pochettino’s side are heavily favored to win the Nations League outright, arriving in better form and health than chief rivals Mexico and Canada. Haiti will host their “home” leg in Miami on 14 November due to years-long security issues stemming from widespread gang violence in Port-au-Prince. The return leg will be played in Cincinnati on 17 November.
It’s a very good camp window now for these guys, to give the opportunity. It’s very open.” Matt Freese (New York City FC; 20/0), Diego Kochen (Lyngby Boldklub; 2/0), Brian Schwake (Nashville SC; 2/0) None of Pochettino’s selections in goal come as any real surprise. Freese has long been in the mix, Kochen was given the nod against Mexico last window and acquitted himself quite well, and many would consider Schwake the best goalkeeper in Major League Soccer.
Despite the predictability, there is intrigue. The US continues to lack a lock-down keeper, leaving the position wide open at the moment, as it has seemingly been for years. Others continue to fight for minutes as well – New England Revolution goalkeeper Matt Turner among them.
Turner, who is not on this roster and has seemingly drifted out of the US keeper pool, is in the midst of a strong run of form in MLS. Reed Baker-Whiting (Nashville SC; 0/0), George Campbell (West Bromwich Albion; 3/0), Sergiño Dest (PSV Eindhoven; 46/3), Alex Freeman (Villarreal; 26/3), Neil Pierre (Philadelphia Union; 3/0), Bryan Reynolds (Stade Rennais; 7/1), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace; 43/4), Antonee Robinson (Fulham; 62/5), Auston Trusty (Celtic; 14/1) This group is a blend of experience and fresh options as Pochettino and his staff build a new defensive core. Reed Baker-Whiting is in line for his US debut after a steady season starting at left-back for MLS’s best team.
A feature on the Guardian’s Next Generation list in 2022, the 21-year-old made a smooth transition to Nashville after a winter transfer from boyhood Seattle and is a steady defender who integrates swiftly into a system. He’ll deputize for Antonee Robinson, who has appeared in all but one of Fulham’s first nine games. Bryan Reynolds is on his first US squad since the 2023 Gold Cup, after joining Rennes this summer.
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