Christian Pulisic, the leading figure of American soccer in recent years, was not included in the United States squad for the September-October friendlies. Instead, coach Mauricio Pochettino called up 16-year-old Cavan Sullivan of Philadelphia Union — one of 13 potential debutants. This choice looks not merely like rotation, but like a signal of the dawn of a new era.
Pulisic missed a significant part of Milan's preseason due to a hairline fracture in his shin, sustained back at the 2026 World Cup in the match against Belgium. At the start of the Serie A season he came on only from the bench and has not reached peak form. Pochettino, by his own account, selected those he wants to work with right now, and Pulisic did not make that list. For the 27-year-old leader, this is the first such omission during the Argentine's tenure.
Sullivan, by contrast, has been on fire in MLS in recent weeks: five goals and six assists in seven matches. At 16 years old he already looks like a mature playmaker capable of deciding the outcome of games. If he takes the field in the friendlies against Peru or Chile, he will become one of the youngest players in the history of the United States national team after Freddy Adu. Several other teenagers were called up alongside him — from 17-year-old Adri Mehmeti to 18-year-old defenders.
This decision is not driven solely by Pulisic's injury. After the home 2026 World Cup, where the Americans could not get past the 1/8 final, Pochettino has clearly begun a rebuild. Experienced players such as Weston McKennie and Folarin Balogun also stayed home — all of them are recovering or not in optimal shape. The coach is using the window to test young players while there are no official tournaments.
Imagine a company where the founder suddenly steps aside for a young engineer: the old leader is still needed, but without fresh blood the project risks getting stuck. So it is here — Pulisic remains a symbol, but the national team needs renewal so as not to repeat the mistakes of the previous cycle.
In the long run, this could mean an accelerated transition to a generation that in just four years will be competing for a place in the starting lineup at the 2030 World Cup. For Sullivan, the call-up is a chance to establish himself; for Pulisic, it is a reason to return to his club and prove that he is still needed by the national team. American soccer stands on the threshold of an intriguing turning point.
