Christian Pulisic has been notably excluded from the United States Men's National Team (USMNT) roster for the upcoming matches, marking a significant moment under coach Mauricio Pochettino's second term. The announcement came on Thursday, highlighting the inclusion of 16-year-old Cavan Sullivan, who stands on the brink of becoming the youngest player to represent the national team in 20 years.

The USMNT is set to face several international opponents in friendlies:

• Peru on Sept. 26 in Orlando, Florida
• Chile on Sept. 29 in St. Louis
• Mexico on Oct. 3 in Glendale, Arizona
• Canada on Oct. 6 in St. Paul, Minnesota

Pulisic, the squad’s key player, struggled during the last summer's World Cup, failing to score and dealing with injuries that limited his participation. He recently made his season debut for AC Milan after recovering from a microfracture in his right leg.

Meanwhile, Sullivan, who debuted in Major League Soccer at just 14 years old, could potentially break Freddy Adu's record, as he will be just days shy of turning 17 during the match against Peru.

Other young talents making their mark include:

• Adri Mehmeti and Mathis Albert (17)
• Peyton Miller and Neil Pierre (18)
• Julian Hall (18)
• Justin Ellis (19)
• Zavier Gozo and others in their twenties.

From the previous World Cup roster, only 13 players remain, including goalkeepers Matt Freese and Chris Brady, and notable defenders and midfielders. Absent from the new roster are several key figures like Folarin Balogun, who has not played for Monaco, and others like Matt Turner, Weston McKennie, and Tim Weah.

In total, 12 players are drawn from Major League Soccer, showcasing a blend of experience and fresh talent as the USMNT prepares for these crucial fixtures.