Before the USMNT squad announcement for the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals against Haiti, Sports Illustrated previewed Mauricio Pochettino's November roster decisions. Sports Illustrated said Pochettino excluded Christian Pulisic, Folarin Balogun and Weston McKennie from his previous roster in favor of 13 uncapped players.
Pochettino's September comments
Pochettino said in September: "It’s a completely different approach than it was in the past."
He also said: "The World Cup is in four years. We need to work with different objectives and goals."
Pochettino also said: "Everyone says, ‘Oh, that name needs to be here because in the past, their performance could also go like this. No, no, now it’s a fresh start. It’s a new start. Of course, all [players] have the door open, but now it’s not what [he] did in the past. [There is] no ‘I am [Folarin] Balogun and score lots of goals. No, ‘I am Malik Tillman and was one of the best in the World Cup.’"
Sports Illustrated's right-wing notes
Sports Illustrated said Sergiño Dest started four of five matches at the 2026 World Cup.
Sports Illustrated said Cavan Sullivan usurped the right wing in the USMNT's 4–1 win over Peru and became the youngest goalscorer in USMNT history in a 3–0 win over Mexico.
Sports Illustrated also said Gio Reyna and Malik Tillman traded places at right wing in the friendly against Canada.
Goalkeepers and Balogun
Sports Illustrated said Matt Freese played the first half against Peru and did not feature again during that international window.
Sports Illustrated said Diego Kochen later played the full 90 minutes against Mexico, while Brian Schwake played 90 minutes and kept a clean sheet in a 1–0 win over Canada.
Sports Illustrated said New York City FC was eliminated from MLS playoff contention on Saturday after a 1–1 draw with CF Montréal.
Sports Illustrated said Balogun scored three goals in four appearances at the 2026 World Cup and was excluded from Pochettino's last international camp. Balogun scored in Monaco's eventual 3–1 loss to Paris FC on Sunday.
