The New USMNT Generation Is Already Making Its Mark in MLS

Mauricio Pochettino’s first United States roster of the new cycle came with a clear message: the door is open for a new generation.

Then, almost immediately, several of those players responded on the field.

With the first post-World Cup USMNT camp approaching, a group of the country’s youngest first-time call-ups delivered standout performances across MLS this weekend. 

For Julian Hall, the timing could hardly have been better.

Just days after receiving his first senior USMNT call-up at 18, the New York Red Bulls forward returned to the place where his professional story began and scored the decisive goal against New York City FC.

Hall struck in the 67th minute of the Hudson River Derby, chasing down a loose ball before rounding Matt Freese and finishing into an empty net to give the Red Bulls a 1-0 victory. It ended a 12-game scoring drought across all competitions for the teenager. 

The goal was also another reminder of why Hall has earned his place in Pochettino’s first roster of the new cycle.

The 18-year-old has been one of MLS’ most productive teenagers in 2026, and his pace, movement and ability to attack space have made him one of the most dangerous young forwards in the league. He entered the weekend as MLS’ top-scoring teenager, and his derby winner only strengthened the timing of his first senior national-team opportunity. 

Cavan Sullivan’s performance was perhaps the most fitting continuation of the story that earned him his first USMNT call-up in the first place.

Philadelphia trailed 3-0 at halftime, but Sullivan helped transform the game after the break.

First, his involvement helped create Damiani’s goal. Two minutes later, Sullivan scored Philadelphia’s second, finishing after receiving a pass from Danley Jean Jacques and Quinn Sullivan. The 16-year-old’s goal cut the deficit to 3-2 and gave the Union the momentum they needed to complete the comeback. 

The goal also pushed Sullivan to 19 MLS goal contributions this season — seven goals and 12 assists.

That number is significant.

Sullivan has now matched Alphonso Davies’ 19 goal contributions from his historic 2018 MLS season, putting him level for the second-most goal contributions by a teenager in a single MLS regular season. Diego Fagúndez remains ahead with 20 from 2013. 

Sullivan did break another teenage record on the same night, though.

His assist for Damiani gave him 12 assists, the most ever recorded by a teenager in a single MLS season. He has also registered a goal contribution in eight consecutive league matches. 

That means Sullivan’s first USMNT call-up has arrived in the middle of a statistical run that is already historic.

Also Frankie Westfield was directly involved in the turnaround.

The 20-year-old right back stepped forward in the 64th minute and unleashed the shot that Bruno Damiani redirected into the net, giving Philadelphia its first goal of the night. The goal was ultimately credited to Damiani, with Westfield receiving the assist. 

He already had five MLS assists this season before the weekend and has established himself as an important part of Philadelphia’s back line. 

Then there was Peyton Miller.

The New England Revolution defender was announced as a first-time USMNT call-up alongside teammate Brooklyn Raines earlier in the week. On Saturday, Miller celebrated the news by scoring twice in a 4-2 victory over Orlando City. 

His first goal came in the 59th minute, when he finished a breakaway with a left-footed strike to put New England ahead 2-0.

Orlando eventually fought back to level the score, but Miller was not finished.

In the third minute of stoppage time, he found the net again to restore New England’s lead before Carles Gil added another moments later. Miller’s second goal sealed a win that extended the Revolution’s winning streak to three matches. 

Pochettino’s first post-World Cup roster contains 13 players who could make their senior USMNT debuts, according to Reuters, as the United States begins its next four-year cycle. The group includes Sullivan, Hall, Miller, Westfield, Raines, Neil Pierre, Zavier Gozo, Justin Ellis and several other uncapped players.

The coach has been clear that this roster is not a prediction of what the 2030 World Cup team will look like. Instead, the September and October friendlies against Peru, Chile, Mexico and Canada are an opportunity to evaluate players and begin building a new group. 

This weekend, however, several of those players made the evaluation process a little more interesting.

Hall scored in a rivalry match.

Miller scored twice.

Westfield helped start a three-goal comeback.

And Sullivan continued doing what he has been doing for much of the second half of the MLS season: producing numbers that put him alongside some of the most accomplished teenagers in league history.

Now they head into USMNT camp.

For a group arriving at the senior level for the first time, there could hardly have been a more productive final weekend before putting on the United States shirt.