US Men's Soccer Team Assembled for Training Camp
Head coach Mauricio Pochettino leads a 28-player roster in an evaluation period ahead of Saturday's match against Peru.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Soccer
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The United States men's national soccer team has gathered in Fayetteville, Georgia, for a training camp featuring 28 players. Head coach Mauricio Pochettino is using the sessions to integrate young talent alongside veteran squad members.
Why it matters
Coaches are assessing how veteran players serve as role models for a group that includes 12 athletes under the age of 21. This evaluation period serves to determine roster spots for future international competitions.
The 28-man roster includes 12 players under age 21, including 19-year-old Orlando City SC standout Justin Ellis, who has tallied one goal and nine assists this season. The squad also features 23-year-old Gio Reyna and 25-year-old Sebastian Berhalter.
The players
Mauricio Pochettino
He is the current head coach of the United States men's national soccer team charged with rebuilding the squad.
Gio Reyna
He is a 23-year-old midfielder who participated in a news conference during the current training camp.
Sebastian Berhalter
He is a 25-year-old player who addressed the media alongside his teammates on Monday.
Justin Ellis
He is a 19-year-old forward for Orlando City SC who has contributed ten total goal involvements this season.
Ricardo Pepi
He is a national team player who was forced to withdraw from the training camp roster due to an injury.
The details
The staff is observing training sessions and match performance to decide which emerging prospects will earn permanent roster spots. Veterans who previously competed in the World Cup must now demonstrate their value against younger players vying for the same positions.
Timeline
Monday: Sebastian Berhalter and Gio Reyna took part in a news conference.
Saturday: The U.S. national team plays a match against Peru.
Season Trajectory
This training camp follows a pattern set by the 2026 FIFA World Cup cycle to prioritize the integration of young prospects into the national pool. The results of these evaluations will directly impact the competitive balance of the squad heading into future qualifying rounds.
The match against Peru on Saturday will provide the first look at whether the coaching staff intends to prioritize the 19-year-old Justin Ellis in the primary attacking rotation. Fans should monitor playing time allocations as a signal for which prospects are currently leading the race for future roster spots.
The takeaway
The team's reliance on young talent highlights a clear shift toward building depth for long-term international play. Fans can track the effectiveness of this transition by observing how younger players perform in high-pressure match scenarios against international opponents.
Further reading
For more on the development of the national team, explore the Soccer section.
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Should sports teams prioritize integrating young prospects over keeping veteran players in their roles?
