Cavan Sullivan, Philadelphia Union’s 16-year-old, leads 12 MLS call-ups for the US as the 2030 World Cup cycle begins

Philadelphia Union’s 16-year-old Cavan Sullivan earned his first call-up to the United States men’s national team, part of a 28-player roster coach Mauricio Pochettino selected to open the cycle toward the 2030 World Cup. The group also includes 12 players plying their trade in Major League Soccer, reflecting a balance between young talent and international experience.

As mlssoccer reports, Pochettino’s roster blends familiar and new names: among the call-ups are goalkeepers Chris Brady (Chicago Fire) and Matt Freese (New York City FC), defender Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati) and several products of MLS academies, including Neil Pierre, Frankie Westfield, Peyton Miller, Brooklyn Raines, Julian Hall and Justin Ellis. The roster aims to test new elements that could prove essential to the national team’s future.

The Americans will play four friendlies during the September–October window: on September 26 against Peru at Inter.co Stadium (Orlando, Florida), on September 29 against Chile at Energizer Park (St. Louis, Missouri), on October 3 against Mexico at State Farm Stadium (Glendale, Arizona) and on October 6 against Canada at Allianz Field (St. Paul, Minnesota). These fixtures include two matchups with South American sides and two with regional rivals and fellow 2026 World Cup co-hosts.

Pochettino signed a new contract in early August that keeps him in the job through 2030, with the clear goal of building a four-year cycle. Following a positive showing at the 2026 World Cup, where the United States won its group and secured a round-of-32 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, the coach has room to test new faces and strengthen the squad toward future objectives.

This call-up, with its emphasis on young talent and the participation of 12 MLS players, serves as the start of a new period for the US national team; according to mlssoccer, the squad is designed to build a wider player base for the challenges on the road to the 2030 World Cup.