Well, USMNT fans... It's hard to imagine the September/October international window going much better than that.
Four wins from four games, 12 goals scored, only three goals conceded, and the debuts of some of the most highly-touted youngsters in the U.S. Soccer pipeline, many of whom not only got their chance to show their skill but proved they belong with the senior team.
There were plenty – and I mean plenty – of positives to take away from the United States' first camp since co-hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Let's dive into three main takeaways from the Fall 2026 international window.
Folks, I think it's fair to say Cavan Sullivan has graduated from prospect to true talent.
He's proven it in MLS play this season, experiencing a breakout campaign for the Philadelphia Union, where he is second on the team with 19 goal contributions (7g/12a), and has set a whole bunch of records.
His brilliant league play paved the way for the moment so many fans have been clamoring for since he made his professional debut at 14 years and 293 days old, when he was called up to the United States senior men's national team for the first time this fall.
And the Union star wasted no time making an impression. During the first match of the window, a 4-1 win over Peru, Sullivan made his USMNT debut at 16 years and 363 days old, the fourth-youngest player to ever feature for the United States.
But Sullivan's defining moment came in the third match of the window, when he became the youngest goalscorer in USMNT history at 17 years and five days old, netting a stunning long-range chip during the US' 3-0 thrashing of rivals Mexico.
In total, Sullivan made three appearances during the fall camp. Having only just turned 17, at no point did Sullivan look out of place with the senior national team, nor did any moment ever look too big for him. I mean, he scored his first-ever international goal against his biggest rival; how does it get any more pressure-packed than that?
This window appears to be just the beginning of Sullivan's budding USMNT career. Should he continue his strong form in MLS, expect him to be involved in many national team camps to come.
Yes, Sullivan may have been the headliner from this camp, but wow, teenage homegrown strikers Julian Hall (Red Bull New York) and Justin Ellis (Orlando City) were spectacular, too.
Like Sullivan, the pair were in their debut senior national team camp. And like Sullivan, both strikers stepped up in a big way across the four friendlies. Each started two matches and made the most of every opportunity they got on the pitch.
Ellis earned the nod in the opening match of the camp in front of a hometown crowd in Orlando and immediately found the back of the net, opening the scoring in an eventual 4-1 win over Peru, in which Hall also tallied 1g/1a.
Then, it was Hall who started and scored in the next two matches: a 4-2 win over Chile and a 3-0 triumph over El Tri, before Ellis returned to lead the line and score the game-winner in a 1-0 victory over northern neighbors Canada.
Both Hall and Ellis are technically dual nationals and have not officially been cap-tied to the United States. But after the impressive performances each striker turned in during this international window – combined with the laundry list of injuries to the USMNT's forward corps – it's hard to imagine both won't be involved in the next competitive international window for the US.
With the 2026-27 Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals right around the corner – the US are slated to face Haiti in a home-and-away tie in November – it's expected that many of the USMNT "old guard", such as Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Folarin Balogun and others, will return to the fold during the next national team camp.
We've already spoken about how some of the young crop of talent stamped their case for inclusion in next month's camp, but which other MLS youngsters could find their way back into the USMNT roster?
Philadelphia Union center back Neil Pierre made his senior international debut, earning one start and totaling 82 minutes across three games, while helping keep a clean sheet vs. Canada. In a defensive unit that lacks depth, could the 6-foot-7, 18-year-old return in November?
In midfield, 17-year-old Red Bull star Adri Mehmeti made three appearances, including one start vs. Chile and showed plenty of promise. As did the New England Revolution duo of Brooklyn Raines and Peyton Miller. Will any of them keep their place in a packed midfield group?
Finally, in between the posts, both Nashville SC's Brian Schwake and 20-year-old FC Barcelona starlet – who's currently on loan at Danish top-flight side Lyngby – Diego Kochen got the lion's share of the minutes over New York City FC's Matt Freese and Chicago Fire FC shotstopper Chris Brady. What will the goalkeeping group look like in a month?
The 2026 fall window gave USMNT plenty of hope, and plenty to be excited for down the line. It also raised plenty of questions about who will play key roles in this team going forward.
All things considered, questions about who will make head coach Mauricio Pochettino's 26-man roster in November are a good problem to have.
