HARRISON, NEW JERSEY – FEBRUARY 28: Julian Hall #16 of the New York Red Bulls reacts after scoring a goal during the second half of a match against the New England Revolution at Sports Illustrated Stadium on February 28, 2026 in Harrison, New Jersey. (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images)
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As we have learned through the years, goals change soccer games.
Goals also win games. When you have someone on your team who can frustrate goalkeepers regularly, you have a decent chance to win games.
Every team faces an eternal search for players who score goals.
Which brings us to the U.S. Men’s National Team, which will play its first international match since the 2026 FIFA World Cup, when it faces Peru in Orlando, Florida on Saturday, Sept. 25 at 4:30 p.m. ET (TNT, HBO MAX, Telemundo, Universo, Peacock).
It is “only” a friendly, but don’t tell that to U.S. head coach Mauricio Pochettino, who claims there is no such thing as a friendly encounter in international soccer.
Over the next two weeks, Pochettino will watch players who might become impact players as the USMNT tries to qualify for the 2030 FIFA World Cup. That qualifying process won’t begin until 2028, but it is vital now that Pochettino finds players who can play at the highest level and give the younger ones invaluable experience.
Traditionally, international strikers have enjoyed their most productive years between the ages of 23 and 30. Players such as Lionel Messi (38) and Cristiano Ronaldo are rare exceptions.
U.S. forwards, such as Christian Pulisic and Folarin Balogun, who performed at the World Cup, were left off the 28-man roster for the four upcoming international matches.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – JUNE 29: Damion Downs #9 of United States celebrates after scoring the winning penalty kick during the penalty shootout against Costa Rica in the Gold Cup 2025 Quarterfinals at U.S. Bank Stadium on June 29, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
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Five strikers in search of their first international goal
Pochettino selected five strikers who have a combined six international appearances and zero goals scored. He originally chose 23-year-old Ricardo Pepi (13 goals in 32 international contests), but the PSV Eindhoven scoring threat suffered an injury and was replaced by St. Louis CITY SC’s Damion Downs. Downs has all those six matches.
The rest of the young call-ups: Cole Campbell (SV Elversberg, Germany), Justin Ellis (Orlando City SC, MLS), Julian Hall (Red Bull New York, MLS) and Cavan Sullivan (Philadelphia Union, MLS).
They are all promising players, but untested at the international level. Some might perform in their first match on Saturday.
* Campbell, 20, has one goal in four Bundesliga matches this campaign, in a 3-2 home win over Bayer Leverkusen on Aug. 29.
* Downs, 22, made his USA debut on June 10, 2025, against Switzerland. He hasn’t scored for the national team yet, but Downs recorded a game-winning penalty kick in the shootout against Costa Rica in the quarterfinals.
* Ellis, 19, has scored once but has contributed a team-high 10 assists in 19 MLS appearances this season.
* Hall, 18, has had his ups and downs this season. He has accumulated 10 goals and five assists and was selected to the MLS All-Star Game. Hall tallied nine of his goals before the World Cup break and recently snapped a personal 12-game scoreless skid.
* Sullivan, 16, is the youngest of the bunch and has turned heads in Major League Soccer. He has seven goals and 12 assists in 24 games for the resurgent Union. Most recently, he was named MLS’ Player of the Matchday after scoring twice and assisting on another goal in the Union’s 5-0 triumph over San Diego FC on Sept. 13.
Pochettino was excited about the fivesome.
“They are showing the real talent because they have an amazing capacity and quality,” Pochettino said during a Friday press conference in Orlando. “The energy was amazing. It’s very contagious, that energy. … After talking with them, it’s like you feel younger. It’s [been] a long time that I [felt] his way, talking and working with a group of players that is amazing for us for the present and for the future. Our responsibility is to keep supporting, helping them to be more mature, and of course, improving their game.”
FAYETTEVILLE, GEORGIA – SEPTEMBER 24: Cavan Sullivan of United States talks to coach Mauricio Pochettino during a training session at Arthur M. Blank US Soccer National Training Center on September 24, 2026 in Fayetteville, Georgia. (Photo by Taylor Banner/USSF/Getty Images)
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The spotlight shines on Sullivan
Sullivan, not surprisingly, has received the most publicity.
As I wrote in a recent piece, if he makes his U.S. debut in one of four upcoming friendlies, Sullivan will become the second-youngest player to play for the team. Freddy Adu, the youngest, made his USMNT debut at 16 years, 243 days, as a substitute against Canada on Jan. 22, 2006.
Pochettino was asked if he thought Sullivan was ready.
“Well, if we only talk about his performance, he’s doing really well in MLS, in his club, in Philadelphia,” he replied. “I think he’s ready. But the rest of the players, too, are ready.”
The USMNT head coach said that he will include a mix of veterans and youngsters in the lineup.
“That is important, that mix,” he said.
“When we observe the players, maybe some players need more time and maybe not to play the first game or the second, maybe the third. Or maybe some player training with us is enough, and maybe they don’t need to go to play. I think it’s so important to provide a chance if they are ready. We are not talking that they need to perform. That’s one of the things that were talking with them. They need to feel that they are ready to play in the next level that is international. Because we are going to play against teams like Peru, Chile, Mexico, and Canada. They are in a different cycle … but they are going to be really tough.”
FAYETTEVILLE, GEORGIA – SEPTEMBER 23: United States coach Mauricio Pochettino gives instructions during a training session at Arthur M. Blank US Soccer National Training Center on September 23, 2026 in Fayetteville, Georgia. (Photo by Taylor Banner/USSF/Getty Images)
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Four friendlies in 11 days
The U.S. begins the cycle against Peru and Chile, which failed to reach the FIFA 2026 World Cup.
The Peruvians endured some difficult times in the past two years. They have won only two of their last 18 matches while finishing second-to-last in South American World Cup qualifying. Their 2024 Copa America performance was their worst in three decades.
The Americans will also face Chile in St. Louis on Sept. 29, Mexico in Glendale, Ariz., on Oct. 3, and Canada in St. Paul, Minn., on Oct. 6.
The eyes of the U.S. soccer nation will be on the team, and especially the forwards, regardless of who plays.
There are plenty of questions to answer.
Who can show his creativity, particularly in tight spots?
Who can put up with fouling and show maturity, especially when it becomes persistent?
Who can deal with adversity and show persistence?
Who can find a way to unlock a defense for themselves or a teammate?
And most importantly, who can score?
They might be answered in the next two weeks and beyond.
When the USMNT competes in the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals in November, perhaps one or two of those forwards will be selected.
And perhaps we will witness which of those youngsters could score to change games.
Michael Lewis, the sixth recipient of the Clay Berling Media Career of Excellence Award in 2025, can be followed on X an Bluesky at @Soccerwriter. His 10th soccer book, Around the World Cup in 40 Years: An American sportswriter’s perspective, has been published.
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