The United States Men`s National Team (USMNT) returns to the field this Saturday, marking their first appearance since their defeat to Mexico in the Concacaf Gold Cup final. While they may have relinquished their “Kings of Concacaf” title to their regional rivals, coach Mauricio Pochettino and his squad are now focused on the upcoming international friendlies against South Korea and Japan. Both Asian teams have already secured their qualification for the 2026 World Cup and are eager to test their capabilities against formidable opposition.
The match also presents a unique reunion for Pochettino, who will encounter his former Tottenham Hotspur player, Son Heung-Min, representing South Korea. Pochettino expressed considerable anticipation for this special meeting.
Pochettino fondly recalled, “It`s going to be a wonderful chance to reconnect. We share a deep affection. Son was an incredibly significant player during my time at Tottenham. I had actually pursued him earlier while at Southampton, but he chose a different club then, moving from Hamburg to Bayer Leverkusen. When I arrived at Tottenham, we sought him out again and successfully persuaded him to join us. A decade later, he remains one of the world`s elite players, but beyond his talent, he`s an extraordinary person. This reunion will be truly special.”
Initial predictions for the USMNT starting lineup include: Matt Freese, Sergino Dest, Tim Ream, Tristan Blackmon, Max Arfsten, Tyler Adams, Sebastian Berhalter, Diego Luna, Tim Weah, Christian Pulisic, and Josh Sargent.
A victory would undoubtedly sweeten the reunion for the USMNT. South Korea currently holds the 23rd position in the FIFA rankings, offering a valuable opportunity for the American squad to secure a significant win. Japan, ranked 17th, further highlights this international window as one of the most challenging the USMNT has encountered outside of a major tournament. With an experimental roster, Pochettino aims to evaluate his player pool under pressure, requiring both his strategic placement and the players` determination to rise to the occasion.
The USMNT`s recent track record under Pochettino includes defeats to Mexico (twice), Panama (twice), Canada, Turkey, and Switzerland. While these past results don`t necessarily inspire immense confidence for the World Cup, a strong performance in this September window could significantly alter that perception.
Match Details: USMNT vs. South Korea
- Date & Time: Saturday, September 6th | 5:00 PM ET
- Venue: Sports Illustrated Stadium, Harrison, New Jersey
- Broadcast: TNT | Streaming: Fubo (Free trial available)
- Betting Odds: USMNT +125; Draw +230; South Korea +220
USMNT Predicted Lineup
The predicted lineup for the USMNT is: Matt Freese, Sergino Dest, Chris Richards, Noahkai Banks, Max Arfsten, Tyler Adams, Luca De La Torre, Diego Luna, Tim Weah, Christian Pulisic, and Josh Sargent.
Match Prediction
Anticipating a blend of emerging talent and seasoned players, the United States is expected to face early challenges. Son Heung-Min, already familiar with Major League Soccer venues, is predicted to score for South Korea. While the USMNT is likely to equalize, the match is projected to end in a draw, a result that may not fully resolve the lingering doubts surrounding the team`s form. Final Score: USMNT 1, South Korea 1
Complete USMNT Roster
- GOALKEEPERS (3): Roman Celentano (FC Cincinnati; 0/0), Matt Freese (New York City FC; 7/0), Jonathan Klinsmann (Cesena/ITA; 0/0)
- DEFENDERS (8): Max Arfsten (Columbus Crew; 10/1), Noahkai Banks (FC Augsburg/GER; 0/0), Tristan Blackmon (Vancouver Whitecaps/CAN; 0/0), Sergiño Dest (PSV Eindhoven/NED; 33/2), Alex Freeman (Orlando City; 7/0), Nathan Harriel (Philadelphia Union; 1/0), Tim Ream (Charlotte FC; 74/1), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace/ENG; 31/3)
- MIDFIELDERS (7): Tyler Adams (Bournemouth/ENG; 50/2), Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps/CAN; 6/0), Luca de la Torre (San Diego FC; 31/1), Diego Luna (Real Salt Lake; 12/3), Jack McGlynn (Houston Dynamo; 11/2), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders; 37/0), Sean Zawadzki (Columbus Crew; 1/0)
- FORWARDS (6): Folarin Balogun (AS Monaco/FRA; 17/5), Damion Downs (Southampton/ENG; 5/0), Christian Pulisic (AC Milan/ITA; 78/32), Josh Sargent (Norwich/ENG; 28/5), Tim Weah (Marseille/FRA; 44/7), Alex Zendejas (Club América/MEX; 11/1)
