Pochettino fields $40M attack as USMNT targets Haiti in quarterfinals

Mauricio Pochettino has finalized a 25-man roster for the United States men's national team, prioritizing a blend of high-value veterans and cost-efficient domestic talent ahead of two Concacaf Nations League quarterfinal matches against Haiti. The team plays on Nov. 14 and Nov. 17, with a spot in the final four at stake.

The squad structure reflects a strategic allocation of resources across three positions: three goalkeepers, nine defenders, eight midfielders, and five forwards. This composition allows Pochettino to test specific tactical combinations while managing the physical load of players returning from club seasons. The selection process was influenced by recent fitness reports from European and domestic leagues.

Injury concerns directly impacted the financial and tactical makeup of the forward line. Pochettino confirmed that Folarin Balogun and Ricardo Pepi are not at full fitness. Consequently, only Balogun was included in the call-up. This decision cleared space for Julian Hall and Justin Ellis, who are expected to compete for minutes. Hall has scored 13 goals in Major League Soccer for Red Bull New York this season, adding three goals for the national team. He has added three more goals in six club appearances since his first senior camp earlier this year.

The attacking unit relies heavily on players with high market value and proven output. Christian Pulisic, who recently signed a new contract with AC Milan, has scored twice in his last three club appearances. He will be joined by Sebastian Berhalter and Gio Reyna, both of whom are in good form. Pochettino noted that Pulisic and Mathis Albert will play together for the first time. Albert, a midfielder for Borussia Dortmund, is described by the coach as one of the most talented players in the country, despite limited club playing time.

The midfield and defense include several players seeking to establish long-term roles. Santiago Castaneda, a midfielder for Paderborn who is also eligible for Colombia, is in camp for the first time. Reed Baker-Whiting of Nashville SC is seeking his first senior appearance. In defense, Chris Richards and Auston Trusty are expected to anchor the back line. George Campbell, who was withdrawn at halftime of West Bromwich Albion's most recent match, will undergo a late fitness test to determine if he can join the group. Neil Pierre has also been recalled after a difficult initial camp.

Pochettino stated that the combination of Balogun, Ellis, and Hall is ideal given the fitness levels of the group. "That is why we didn't want to bring both, because I think both are not 100%, but I think the combination of Balogun, Ellis, and Hall I think is perfect," the coach said. This approach allows the team to maintain depth without overextending players who are not fully recovered.

The camp opens on Monday, with a concurrent U-23 camp running at the same time. The national team is currently tracking more than 100 players. The matches against Haiti will serve as a critical evaluation period to determine which players remain in the senior squad and which move to the younger group. Pochettino emphasized that chemistry will be assessed from the first day of training.

"From Monday, we are going to start to see the chemistry off the field, but also on the field that is really important too," Pochettino said. The team will use these two fixtures to finalize the long-term core of the squad for the upcoming Nations League final four stage.