United States men's national team coach Mauricio Pochettino expressed caution regarding the hype surrounding young prospects Cavan Sullivan and Julian Hall ahead of the September roster announcement. Speaking from London via video conference, Pochettino acknowledged the excitement around the Philadelphia Union and Red Bull New York talents but stressed the need for balance. "We need to be careful... The balance is the most important," he said, emphasizing the responsibility to protect young players from premature comparisons to legends like Messi. He warned that early stardom without proper management can be "dangerous for your career."

Pochettino outlined goals for the new World Cup cycle, including eradicating "bad habits" within the program. He highlighted the recent U.S. Soccer Federation takeover of U.S. Youth Soccer as a step toward aligning youth and professional clubs with the federation's principles. He also criticized players opting out of competitive tournaments like the Gold Cup, referencing Christian Pulisic's decision to skip the 2025 edition. "It's to change this type of idea that are not right," Pochettino stated, arguing that participation builds the necessary mindset for a World Cup run.

The USMNT faces a quartet of friendlies starting Sept. 26 against Peru, followed by Chile, Mexico, and Canada. The roster will be revealed Sept. 17, with players reporting to Atlanta three days later.