With the summer's continental competition now in the rear-view mirror and the sights set on next year's FIFA World Cup, the United States men begin their countdown to that tournament as they host South Korea in an international friendly.
The remaining fixtures between now and next summer are all friendlies, with no competitive matches left to properly prepare the squad for a World Cup environment.
The return of Christian Pulisic to Mauricio Pochettino's roster is the major talking point, having been brought back into the fold after an explosive summer decision to rest instead of compete at the CONCACAF Gold Cup. Now, with only friendlies remaining for World Cup preparation, Pulisic is back with the team as the push continues.
South Korea, ranked 23rd in the world by FIFA, are led by former Tottenham star Son Heung-min, now of LAFC. The 33-year-old, who sports 134 international caps and 51 goals, will wear the captain's armband for his nation as they too get ready for next summer's major tournament, having been among the first teams to qualify.
The Taeguk Warriors finished atop their six-team group in the third round of AFC qualifying, securing a place alongside Japan, Australia, Iran, Uzbekistan, and Jordan.
MORE: A look at the full roster for the USMNT in September international window
USA vs. South Korea lineups: Predicted starting XI, team news, roster
Just like he did over the summer, Pochettino has called in a squad largely consisting of fringe players. He seemed to indicate speaking to the media that this was the last opportunity for these individuals to make an impression before the first-choice regulars return to the fold.
Christian Pulisic returns to the USMNT after his controversial absence over the summer, while Folarin Balogun is also back in the mix after missing significant time last season due to injury and poor form. Josh Sargent has another chance to show his national-team credentials amidst another hot start to the season with Norwich City. Cristian Roldan was a late addition to the roster.
Injury absences include Antonee Robinson, who has only just returned from offseason knee surgery. Patrick Agyemang has yet to make his debut for Derby County due to a hernia, while Malik Tillman was left off as he's only just made his Bayer Leverkusen debut due to a calf issue, and Ricardo Pepi has only seen one substitute appearance after returning from a knee injury. Pochettino will be wary of overusing Sergino Dest and Balogun, both of whom are only just back from long-term injuries of their own.
USA predicted lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left): Freese (GK) — Dest, Richards, Ream, Arfsten — Adams, de la Torre — Weah, Luna, Pulisic — Balogun
Full USA roster
Goalkeepers: Roman Celentano (FC Cincinnati), Matt Freese (NYCFC), Jonathan Klinsmann (Cesena).
Defenders: Max Arfsten (Columbus Crew), Tristan Blackmon (Vancouver Whitecaps), Noahkai Banks (Augsburg), Sergino Dest (PSV), Alex Freeman (Orlando City), Nathan Harriel (Philadelphia Union), Tim Ream (Charlotte FC), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace).
Midfielders: Tyler Adams (Bournemouth), Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps), Luca de la Torre (San Diego FC), Jack McGlynn (Houston Dynamo), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders), Sean Zawadzki (Columbus Crew).
Forwards: Folarin Balogun (AS Monaco), Damion Downs (Southampton), Diego Luna (Real Salt Lake), Christian Pulisic (AC Milan), Josh Sargent (Norwich City), Timothy Weah (Marseille), Alex Zendejas (Club America).
Former Spurs star Son Heung-min, now of LAFC, is ready to don the captain's armband. Veteran defender Kim Min-Jae of Bayern Munich is also a recognizable name in the squad, along with Paris Saint-Germain backup Lee Kang-in.
South Korea are without experienced midfielder Hwang In-beom who was forced to withdraw from the squad after suffering a calf injury on club duty with Dutch side Feyenoord. It was surprising to see veteran Hwang Hee-chan left off the roster despite starting and scoring against Everton over the weekend.
Hoping to earn his first international cap is Germany youth international Jens Castrop who made the one-time switch to represent South Korea last month. The 22-year-old midfielder moved to Borussia Monchengladbach this summer from Nurnberg and now has a view towards international football.
South Korea predicted lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left): H.W. Jo (GK) — Y.W. Seol, M.J Kim., T.H. Kim, T.S. Lee — Y.W. Park, S.H. Paik — K.I. Lee, J.S. Lee, H.M. Son — H.G. Oh
Full South Korea roster
Goalkeepers: Kim Seung-guy (FC Tokyo), Jo Hyeon-woo (Ulsan HD), Song Bum-keun (Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors)
Defenders: Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich), Kim Moon-hwan (Daejeon Hana Citizen), Seol Young-woo (Red Star Belgrade), Lee Myung-jae (Daejeon Hana Citizen), Lee Tae-seok (Austria Wien), Kim Ju-sung (Sanfrecce Hiroshima), Byeon Jun-soo (Gwangju FC), Kim Tae-hyeon (Kashima Antlers), Lee Han-beom (FC Midtjylland)
Midfielders: Lee Jae-sung (FC Mainz), Lee Kang-in (PSG), Park Yong-woo (Al-Ain), Paik Seung-ho (Birmingham City), Kim Jin-gyu (Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors), Lee Dong-gyeong (Gimcheon Sangmu), Bae Jun-ho (Stoke City), Park Jin-seob (Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors), Seo Min-woo (Gangwon FC), Jeong San-bin (St. Louis City), Jens Castrop (Borussia Monchengladbach)
Forwards: Son Heung-min (LAFC), Oh Hyeon-gyu (Genk), Oh Se-hun (Machida Zelvia).
USA vs. South Korea match details
- Date: Saturday, September 6, 2025
- Kickoff Time: 5 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. PT
- Location: Sports Illustrated Stadium (Harrison, NJ)
- Last meeting: USA 2-0 South Korea (Feb. 1, 2014 | Friendly)
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