USMNT kicks off 2030 World Cup cycle with international friendly vs Peru at Orlando’s Inter.co Stadium
Image accompanying the official MLS announcement.The U.S. men’s national team opens its 2030 FIFA World Cup cycle Saturday with an international friendly against Peru at Inter.co Stadium in Orlando.
The match is the first in an expanded September/October window that also includes home games against Chile on Sept. 29, Mexico on Oct. 3 and Canada on Oct. 6.
Mauricio Pochettino named a 28-man squad for the camp, including 13 MLS players. Eight of those MLS call-ups are 21 or younger and attending their first senior USMNT camp.
The youth group is led by 16-year-old Philadelphia Union homegrown Cavan Sullivan. Other young MLS players on the roster include Philadelphia centre back Neil Pierre, 18, Red Bull New York midfielder Adri Mehmeti, 17, Red Bull New York forward Julian Hall, 18, New England Revolution winger Peyton Miller, 18, and Orlando City forward Justin Ellis, 19.
The squad also includes Europe-based regulars Tyler Adams, Sergiño Dest, Antonee Robinson, Gio Reyna and Yunus Musah. Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie and Folarin Balogun are not part of the camp as Pochettino uses the window to evaluate new players.
Peru begins its own 2030 cycle after missing the 2026 World Cup. Former Brazil manager Mano Menezes is now leading La Bicolor. Orlando City midfielder Wilder Cartagena is the only current MLS player on Peru’s roster, and goalkeeper Pedro Gallese returns to Inter.co Stadium after six seasons with Orlando City.
Reporting source: MLS official update