The US men's national team's 2030 FIFA World Cup cycle officially begins this month, with the squad returning for their first camp since co-hosting the 2026 World Cup.
On Thursday, head coach Mauricio Pochettino announced his first roster since signing a new deal in early August, which keeps him as USMNT head coach through 2030.
Pochettino made clear his ambition to integrate younger talent into the senior team, bringing in 13 players who could make their USMNT debut. Additionally, 12 players are aged 21 or under, including eight from MLS.
Meet MLS's newest young stars who will look to leave their mark.
Widely regarded as the United States' top soccer prospect, Cavan Sullivan has been a known commodity for what feels like years now.
In 2024, at just 14, Sullivan signed his first professional contract with the Philadelphia Union before making history as MLS's youngest-ever debutant at 14 years and 293 days old later that season.
Now, at 16, Sullivan is enjoying a breakout season, evolving into one of the league's top players since the World Cup break. The Philly phenom has tallied 6g/11a this season, including 12 goal contributions (5g/7a) over his last seven matches. Only the GOAT, Lionel Messi (7g/5a), has as many over that span.
Adri Mehmeti has grown into one of the consistent players in head coach Michael Bradley's youth movement at Red Bull New York.
Plenty of fans were surprised when the then-16-year-old homegrown midfielder – who had never made an MLS appearance – was named to RBNY's starting XI in their opening match of the 2026 season.
But Mehmeti has more than repaid Bradley's vote of confidence, starting and playing in all but one league match this year and developing into one of MLS's most intriguing deep-lying midfielders, while also adding 1g/5a.
A teammate of Mehmeti in New York and another key piece of the Baby Bulls, Julian Hall also burst onto the scene during the 2026 season, grabbing the starting striker job with both hands.
With Designated Player Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting featuring in 33 matches and tallying 17g/5a a season prior, it seemed likely that the Cameroon international would retain his place up top in RBNY's starting XI.
But it was Hall who got the nod on Matchday 1. The 18-year-old went on to net a brace during that game and never looked back. He currently leads New York with 14 goal contributions (9g/5a).
Like Sullivan, Neil Pierre has benefited greatly from the Philadelphia Union's appointment of interim head coach Ryan Richter.
Richter's willingness to play the Union's younger core helped push Pierre into the spotlight during the 2026 season. The 18-year-old center back – who boasts a 6-foot-7 figure – has responded to the challenge brilliantly, locking down a starting role in Philly's backline, while also adding an attacking boost (4g/1a).
Perhaps no one has benefited more from Orlando City signing French legend Antoine Griezmann than 19-year-old homegrown forward Justin Ellis.
After making just one MLS appearance in 2025, Ellis has soared to the top of the Lions' attacking depth chart in 2026 alongside Griezmann.
Dubbed Griezmann's best bud at Orlando, Ellis is up to 11 goal contributions (1g/10a) this season, including setting up his French co-star on four occasions.
A versatile left-sided player, Peyton Miller is one of the most experienced youngsters on this list. At only 18 years old, the New England Revolution homegrown is already in his third professional season with his boyhood club.
His 2026 season is proving to be his best yet as a pro, with career bests in goals (five) and assists (four) in 23 league appearances.
Over his three years with the Revs, Miller has totaled 7g/9a in 63 appearances across all competitions.
Yet another breakout star for the Philadelphia Union, Frankie Westfield emerged as a key contributor during the Union's 2025 Supporters' Shield-winning campaign, where he made 25 regular-season appearances and tallied 1g/5a.
It's been more of the same for the homegrown defender this season.
Westfield has emerged as Philly's starting right back and has been one of the most dependable players on the roster, starting all 21 games he's been available for and adding a career-high eight assists.
It's been an incredible turnaround for the New England Revolution, who currently sit third in the Eastern Conference and look set to return to the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2023 under first-year head coach Marko Mitrović.
Although he may not light up the scoresheet, Brooklyn Raines is a big reason why.
The 21-year-old midfielder, who joined from Houston Dynamo FC this offseason, sets the tone for the Revs in the middle of the pitch, starting all 23 matches he's featured in and recording over 2,000 regular-season minutes.
