United States<\/a> head coach Mauricio Pochettino has named 10 MLS players to his 26-man roster for October friendlies against Ecuador and Australia as preparations continue for the 2026 FIFA World Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n MLS call-ups are bolded above.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n This camp represents one of the final chances for players to impress Pochettino, with only three windows remaining before the USMNT convene for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.<\/p>\n The difficulty level remains high, as Ecuador and Australia are among the 18 nations already qualified<\/a> for next summer’s expanded tournament. Those tests follow the September window, in which the USMNT lost against South Korea before defeating Japan.<\/p>\n Both matches will be played at MLS venues, starting with Austin FC<\/a>‘s Q2 Stadium before heading to the Colorado Rapids<\/a>‘ Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Reppin’ the red, white and blue for October friendlies. #USMNT<\/a> \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 pic.twitter.com\/fGHKR5hcie<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 2, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n All four goalkeepers compete in MLS, including Matt Freese<\/a> (New York City FC<\/a>) and Matt Turner<\/a> (New England Revolution<\/a>). Freese was the USMNT’s starter during the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup<\/a>, while Turner returned to MLS this summer on loan from Ligue 1 side Lyon.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Three of the four MLS-based defenders were 2025 MLS All-Stars: Columbus Crew<\/a> left back Max Arfsten<\/a>, Orlando City<\/a> right back Alex Freeman<\/a> and FC Cincinnati<\/a> center back Miles Robinson<\/a>. Charlotte FC<\/a>‘s Tim Ream<\/a> is the second-most capped player with 77 appearances.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Real Salt Lake<\/a> midfielder Diego Luna<\/a> has featured in 13 of the USMNT\u2019s 14 matches this year, while midfielder Cristian Roldan<\/a> helped Seattle Sounders FC<\/a> win Leagues Cup<\/a> this summer.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Of the 16 players overseas, eight previously played for MLS clubs.<\/p>\n That group includes former Charlotte FC striker Patrick Agyemang, who joined EFL Championship side Derby County this summer for a club-record fee.<\/p>\n Three Europe-based central midfielders have MLS ties: Columbus Crew homegrown product Aidan Morris (Middlesbrough), New York City FC loanee James Sands (St. Pauli) and FC Dallas<\/a> homegrown alum Tanner Tessmann (Lyon).<\/p>\n Attacking midfielder Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United) and center back Mark McKenzie (Toulouse) are both Philadelphia Union<\/a> products.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n \n GOALKEEPERS (4)<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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DEFENDERS (8)<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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MIDFIELDERS (8)<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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FORWARDS (6)<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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October friendlies<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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MLS call-ups<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
MLS alums<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n