Next Generation of U.S. National Team Stars Emerge Amid Late Summer Friendlies
If one word defines the first call-up for the U.S. men’s national team since the summer’s FIFA World Cup, it’s this: youth.
Coach Mauricio Pochettino has given several key figures a break and instead selected a noticeably younger group for upcoming friendlies in late September and early October. Of the 28 chosen, 13 have yet to make their senior national team debut. From those 13, eight are teenagers who are continuing to fine-tune and develop their talents.
Rising Star Gozo
Within just three years, Gozo went from earning his MLS debut in 2023 with Real Salt Lake to then gaining a high-profile move to the Premier League this summer with Crystal Palace.
Typically playing on the right flank, the 19-year-old midfielder has an immense amount of energy with 8.1 progressive carries per 90 minutes. In fact, even though Gozo hasn’t played in MLS since July — before his move to the Premier League — he still ranks second overall in MLS for total progressive carries, carries following a defensive action, and take-ons, among teenagers in MLS.
“He is insanely robust. If I were to tell you the running numbers he’s putting up, they’re, for his age, I think world-class,” said Nate Miller, a former assistant at Real Salt Lake, to ESPN.
With six goals and five assists across 1,614 minutes in the last year, the attack-minded midfielder has stepped up with his 3.1 shots per 90 minutes. He is also crucial in regaining the ball thanks to his 6.8 defensive interventions per 90 minutes. Looking back at teenagers within MLS, Gozo is still second in 2026 when it comes to total tackles.
Albert’s Bundesliga Journey
When Albert stepped onto the pitch in April for German side Borussia Dortmund, the midfielder made history as the youngest American to play in the Bundesliga at the age of 16. Since then, his appearances have been limited as a backup option on the bench — which will skew some of our stats — but the midfielder remains an intriguing option for the future of the national team.
Across all competitions, the former LA Galaxy academy player is averaging 8.3 progressive carries, 3.3 shots and 11.9 ground duels per 90 minutes.
“He was fearless, he was brave, he was relentless,” said U.S. youth national team coach Gonzalo Segares to Goal.com about Albert.
When watching clips of the player, his pace, dribbling and tenacity (typically on the left wing) immediately shine. During his last appearance for Dortmund earlier this month, the South Carolina native led his team in shots, dribbles and ground duels in a 5-0 victory over HEBC Hamburg in the German Cup.
Sullivan’s Premier League Ambitions
There is no young American player gaining more hype or attention than the Manchester City-bound Sullivan. Set to join the Premier League giants when he turns 18, the attacking midfielder has kept pace with the likes of Lionel Messi since MLS returned to play after the World Cup.
The league leaders in goal contributions after the summer break? That’s Sullivan and Messi with 13 apiece.
“A lot of attention goes on the creative things that he brings to the game,” said interim head coach Ryan Richter to ESPN. “But the thing that stands out to me the most is his mentality and his competitiveness and the way that he approaches every single day.”
Midfield Maestro Mehmeti
While Hall is scoring goals, his teammate Mehmeti is doing plenty of the supporting work in the heart of the Red Bull starting XI.
With 6.6 ball recoveries per 90 minutes, the 17-year-old not only leads his team in recoveries but also the entire league in 2026. Thanks to his 77.9 touches and 9.0 line-breaking passes per 90 minutes, Mehmeti is also the league leader for touches and through balls among teenagers this season.
“For Adri, I think it’s about continuing to develop the physical side and the defensive side of his game while maintaining the qualities that make him special with the ball,” Bradley said to ESPN.
Goal Machine Hall
The highest-scoring teenager in MLS this season? That plaudit belongs to Red Bull New York forward Hall, who leads the 16-19 age group with a total of 10 goals across 26 appearances.
Efficiency comes to mind for the player who has 51% of his shots hitting the target, which ranks him seventh across MLS when analyzing those who have at least 10 goals this season.
Smart with his movement and runs, as well as a decent short passing game in the final third, expect him to be a possible difference-maker in the upcoming international window.
Young Striker Gomez
Adri Mehmeti | Midfielder | 17 | Red Bull New York
While Hall is scoring goals, his teammate Mehmeti is doing plenty of the supporting work in the heart of the Red Bull starting XI.
With 6.6 ball recoveries per 90 minutes, the 17-year-old not only leads his team in recoveries but also the entire league in 2026. Thanks to his 77.9 touches and 9.0 line-breaking passes per 90 minutes, Mehmeti is also the league leader for touches and through balls among teenagers this season.
Expect him to be a key contributor in the upcoming friendly series against nations like Peru, Chile, Mexico and Canada.
National Team Prospects
These young talents represent an exciting generation of up-and-comers who have the potential to become elite game changers for the U.S. by the time the 2030 World Cup rolls around, if not sooner.
From Gozo’s explosive attacking prowess to Albert’s Bundesliga experience, these players are being developed at the highest levels of their respective leagues. Their inclusion in the upcoming friendlies serves as a preview of what could emerge from the U.S. youth system in the coming years.
As the national team looks toward the 2030 World Cup, scouts are keeping a close eye on these promising teens who show the promise of becoming the next generation of American soccer stars.
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