Pulisic Leads USA into October Showdowns with Ecuador and Australia
3 octobre 2025
October friendlies: USA squad named for Ecuador and Australia
Christian Pulisic of AC Milan and Weston McKennie of Juventus headline the United States roster for two warm-up matches this month, part of a six-game slate ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The USMNT, co-hosts of the 2026 World Cup with Canada and Mexico, played two friendlies against South Korea and Japan in September, suffering a 0-2 defeat in the opener before beating Japan 2-0 in the rematch.
Under Argentine coach Mauricio Pochettino, the next two tune-ups will be against Ecuador on Oct 11 and Australia on Oct 15, before home dates in November with Paraguay and Uruguay.
Weston McKennie has not appeared for the national team since March, as Pochettino has leaned toward a younger group.
The returning players include Fulham defender Antonee Robinson, who is set for his first appearance of the year after recovering from injuries.
Celtic defender Cameron Carter-Vickers and Lyon midfielder Tanner Tessmann are back after Pochettino called up 15 players who were not in September's camp.
Pulisic leads the squad at the peak of his form, having scored six goals in seven matches for Milan this season.
Earlier this year Pochettino clashed with Pulisic over not participating in the Gold Cup following a gruelling Italian season, but he told reporters on Thursday that Pulisic is the most important player for the United States at the moment.
He emphasized that every player must prove their worth to be part of the World Cup squad, and no one has a guaranteed place.
Its not because your name is this or that that you secure a place in the World Cup squad, he said, adding that the culture and vision have changed in recent years to move away from past performances granting automatic returns.
The United States, which will host the 2026 World Cup with Canada and Mexico, has gradually established itself on the world football map, advancing from early World Cup appearances to a strong continental presence and an upcoming global showcase.
Notable moments include the 2002 World Cup run to the quarterfinals in Korea and Japan and the steady stream of American talents—Dempsey, Donovan, Howard, now joined by a new generation led by Pulisic, McKennie, Reyna, and Timothy Weah—who are plying their trade in top European clubs.
As the tournament nears, the U.S. looks to leverage its growing infrastructure, academies, and fan support to challenge the traditional powers on the world stage, while managing the pressures of hosting the event in 2026.
For Pochettino, the journey has been long, having started at Espanyol (2009-2012), then Southampton (2013-2014), Tottenham (2014-2019), PSG (2021-2022), and Chelsea (2023-present), where he has often favored youth and a high-pressing style but faced scrutiny that comes with big expectations.
In short, the American program is moving forward with a clear plan and a mix of homegrown and European stars, while the world watches what this World Cup cycle could mean for a nation that has long been playing catch-up with the game’s traditional powers.
That has shaped Pochettino’s tenure: a journey starting at Espanyol, then moving through Premier League clubs and into the Chelsea project, where rebuilding with young players continues amid intense pressure to deliver results.
Punchline 1: If roster decisions were a sniper shot, Pochettino would still need a keen eye and a coffee; either way, someone’s getting hit with a loud applause or a loud sigh.
Punchline 2: In football, there are three guarantees: goals, assists, and a transfer rumor that somehow changes your starting XI just after you have memorized it.
