The international break is in full swing as Mauricio Pochettino kicks off the road to the 2030 World Cup. But it's a road with a few pit stops, including the 2028 Summer Olympics, which will be hosted in the United States. Coming off of a World Cup where many regular members of the United States men's national team need breaks and time with their squads, it's a good chance for Pochettino to get a look at things further down the pecking order with the national team.
With that, it has brought one of the youngest national teams in history, led by 16-year-old Cavan Sullivan of the Philadelphia Union. Given that there are so many young players in the squad, there's no better time than now to take a look at who they all are, so let's meet the teenagers who will all have a chance to feature during this break: The man of the hour, this will be a big camp for the Philadelphia Union attacking midfielder as he celebrates his 17th birthday during it. Alongside two teammates in camp, Cavan Sullivan has been the sparkplug of a Union side riding an 11-game unbeaten streak.
When players were given time off during the World Cup with the Union at the bottom of the Eastern Conference, he asked to train with the Union's second team, and it led to Sullivan returning from the World Cup as one of the top attackers in MLS. Set to join Manchester City when he turns 18, his direct nature on the ball and confidence are things that have pushed Sullivan to this moment of becoming one of the youngest players in history to get the call to the USMNT. When it seemed like Pochettino would be calling in a younger squad for this camp, initially it seemed like he would be called in to see what camp is like, but entering with five goals in his last six games, Sullivan will need to get on the pitch to show that his MLS play can translate to the national team.
It'll be a test, especially with stern challenges like Mexico on the horizon, but Sullivan has earned the right to test himself here. It's only fitting that the best defensive midfield prospect since Tyler Adams will also be in camp with him. The Red Bull New York midfielder has stepped up at only 17 to take the reins in midfield, and one of the most impressive things about how he operates is his thought process on the field.
Speaking to people around the club, Mehmeti has stood out since a young age, and it should come as no surprise that under Michael Bradley, he has now risen to become one of the most promising young players in the team. With his teammate Julian Hall, Adri Mehmeti has even spent time with RB Leipzig in Germany during the preseason in order to get a look at how things could be at the next level, one that he'll certainly reach on this current path. Another young American winger has shown up in the Borussia Dortmund academy, where Christian Pulisic, Gio Reyna, and Cole Campbell have all spent time.
Last season, Mathis Albert became the youngest American to play in the Bundesliga, making his senior debut against Freiburg in April. While he has yet to make a Bundesliga appearance this season, Albert has come on in the DFB-Pokal while featuring for Dortmund's youth sides this season, and he's one of the players in this squad who isn't hitting the highs at a senior level. But with players also getting a look-in from Cherundolo for the U23s, it still makes sense for Albert to be here, especially considering his potential.
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