The USMNT will look to build momentum ahead of next year's World Cup when they host South Korea in an international friendly on Saturday.
Despite missing key players, Mauricio Pochettino's men went all the way through to the final of the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup, narrowly missing out on an eighth title as they lost to Mexico 2-1.
On the other hand, South Korea are once again set to qualify for the World Cup from their AFC group, leading the rankings with 22 points after 10 games.
The Sporting News looks at the key details ahead of this game, including how to watch the match, kickoff times and the weekly schedule.
USMNT vs. South Korea live stream, TV channel
Here's how to watch this international friendly in the U.S.:
- TV channel: TNT
- Live stream: DIRECTV, Max
This match is available for live TV broadcast on TNT in the English language. Streaming options are available on DirecTV, Max, and Watch TNT.
Catch Every Game – Try DIRECTV FREE Today! Stream live Soccer, MLB, and more with must-have sports channels like TNT, TBS, truTV, ESPN, FS1, and NFL Network—all included with DIRECTV.
Start your FREE trial now and never miss a moment of the action. No contracts, no hassle, just wall-to-wall sports and entertainment.
What time does USMNT vs. South Korea kick off?
This international friendly takes place at the Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey and kicks off on Saturday, September 6 at 5:00 p.m. local time.
Here's how that time translates across the U.S.:
| Date | Kickoff time | |
| Eastern Time | Sat, Sep. 6 | 5:00 p.m. |
| Central Time | Sat, Sep. 6 | 4:00 p.m. |
| Mountain Time | Sat, Sep. 6 | 3:00 p.m. |
| Pacific Time | Sat, Sep. 6 | 2:00 p.m. |
USMNT vs. South Korea lineups, team news
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).
International friendly schedule this week
All times ET
Saturday, September 6
- USA vs. Korea (5:00 p.m.)
- Mexico vs. Japan (10:00 p.m.)
Sunday, September 7
- Qatar vs. Russia (11:15 a.m.)