The U.S. Men’s National Team is gearing up for a crucial slate of matches in October as they continue their journey towards the upcoming World Cup. Under the guidance of head coach Mauricio Pochettino, 26 players have been selected to face World Cup-bound opponents Ecuador and Australia.
The first of two matches will see the U.S. host Ecuador on October 10 at Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas. This match, presented by AT&T, is set to kick off at 8:30 p.m. ET (7:30 p.m. local time) and will be broadcast on TNT, truTV, HBO Max, Universo, and Peacock. In recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month, U.S. Soccer has planned special tributes to honor the rich cultural heritage and passionate support of the Hispanic community for the team.
Following the match against Ecuador, the USMNT will take on Australia on October 14, with this game marking their return to Commerce City, Colorado, for the first time since 2017. The encounter against Australia, ranked 24th in the world, will take place at DICK’S Sporting Goods Park, kicking off at 9:00 p.m. ET (7:00 p.m. local time) and will also be available on TNT, HBO Max, Universo, and Peacock.
Fans can catch both matches live on radio, as Westwood One Sports will provide English-language commentary, and Fútbol de Primera will offer the Spanish language call.
These two matches against teams ranked in the Top 25 globally present the USMNT with a vital opportunity. Competing against fellow World Cup-bound sides will provide invaluable experience and a potential preview of the opponents and playing styles they may encounter in the tournament next summer.
Ecuador has qualified for its fifth World Cup, currently standing second in the Conmebol World Cup Qualifying table behind Argentina. Likewise, Australia is making its sixth consecutive World Cup appearance, having finished second in its group during the third round of qualifiers for the Asian Football Confederation.
The roster announced by Pochettino is detailed by position, showcasing a mix of experience and emerging talent. In the goalkeeper category, Chris Brady from Chicago Fire, Matt Freese from New York City FC, Patrick Schulte from Columbus Crew, and veteran Matt Turner from New England Revolution have been called up.
The defenders selected include Max Arfsten from Columbus Crew, Cameron Carter-Vickers from Celtic in Scotland, Alex Freeman from Orlando City, Mark McKenzie from FC Toulouse in France, Tim Ream of Charlotte FC, Chris Richards from Crystal Palace in England, Antonee Robinson from Fulham in England, and Miles Robinson from FC Cincinnati.
In the midfield, the roster features Brenden Aaronson of Leeds United, Diego Luna from Real Salt Lake, Weston McKennie of Juventus, Aidan Morris from Middlesbrough, Cristian Roldan from Seattle Sounders, James Sands from FC St. Pauli in Germany, Tanner Tessmann from Olympique Lyon, and Malik Tillman of Bayer Leverkusen.
Lastly, the forward positions include Patrick Agyemang from Derby County, Folarin Balogun from AS Monaco, star player Christian Pulisic from AC Milan, Tim Weah of Marseille, Haji Wright from Coventry City, and Alex Zendejas from Club América in Mexico.
Among the players called, Christian Pulisic stands out as the most experienced with 80 appearances for the national team. Following him are Tim Ream with 77 caps, Weston McKennie with 60, and Brenden Aaronson alongside goalkeeper Matt Turner, who both have 52. Antonee Robinson rounds out this experienced group with 50 caps to his name.
Significantly, Pulisic is the only player on the current roster with experience playing at DICK’S Sporting Goods Park. He made a notable impact back in 2017, scoring both goals in a critical 2-0 victory against Trinidad and Tobago during the final qualifying round for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
As for the emerging talent, Diego Luna leads the 2025 player class with 13 appearances this year, while Patrick Agyemang and Max Arfsten are close behind with 12 caps each. Other players such as Tim Ream and Chris Richards have also contributed significantly this year, showcasing the depth of talent emerging within the team.
The USMNT will benefit from players arriving with strong scoring momentum from their respective clubs. Pulisic has been in excellent form for AC Milan, with six goals and two assists in just seven matches this season. Furthermore, Alex Zendejas has made waves in Liga MX with five goals and two assists for Club América, including a standout performance where he scored twice against Pumas UNAM in a 4-1 victory.
Haji Wright has also been making headlines, netting two goals in Coventry City’s recent 4-0 win over Millwall, bringing his tally to seven goals in eight games. Midfielder Tanner Tessmann recently secured a crucial victory for Olympique Lyon with a long-range strike in a UEFA Europa League match.
Malik Tillman is another player to watch, having tallied two goals in four Bundesliga matches since his summer transfer to Bayer Leverkusen. He had previously earned a place in the Best XI during the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup final, underscoring his growing reputation.
According to the information provided, Orlando City defender Alex Freeman has shone this season with six goals to date, ranking fifth among all MLS defenders for goal contributions this year. His performance will be vital for the defensive line as the USMNT prepares for their upcoming matches.
A noteworthy return to the squad includes Antonee Robinson, who missed all of 2025 due to injury. He has been an impactful presence, scoring in crucial matches for the U.S. and has played minutes at Q2 Stadium in Austin since its opening.
Other players making their comeback include defender Cameron Carter-Vickers, midfielders Weston McKennie and Tanner Tessmann, as well as goalkeeper Patrick Schulte, all looking to make an impact after their previous camp appearances early this year.
Meanwhile, Aidan Morris eyes a return to action after his last outing during the October 2024 friendlies, and James Sands is also back in the fold for his first call-up under coach Pochettino since the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup.
With the USMNT ready to engage in meaningful matches ahead of the World Cup, all eyes will be on how this diverse mix of talent and experience will perform against the dynamic styles of Ecuador and Australia.
image source from：soccerwire
