Neil Pierre, 19, earned a call-up to the USMNT for the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals against Haiti, his ancestral homeland. His older brother Nelson, a Vancouver Whitecaps forward, missed the squad but has represented Haiti at youth level. Neil said there was playful in-family banter, with Nelson joking he wants Haiti to do "a little thing." Neil, cap-tied to the U.S. if he plays, said he is focused on winning.
He emerged as a breakout player from Philadelphia Union's academy during the 2026 MLS season. Fellow defender Mark McKenzie praised his maturity and poise. The No. 16 United States faces 84th-ranked Haiti on Nov. 14 in Miami and Nov. 17 in Cincinnati.
A berth in the semifinals, played March 22-30 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, is at stake.
Source: ESPN Soccer · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing