Adri Mehmeti is starting for the USMNT against Chile tonight, and let me tell you, Mauricio Pochettino is not messing around as he kicks off the 2030 FIFA World Cup cycle. This move is a clear signal that the youth movement is in full swing. This international friendly from St. Louis on Tuesday evening follows a dominant 4-1 victory over Peru on the weekend, a game where the USMNT controlled the run of play for most of the 90 minutes. That Peru match was wild, with 11 different debutants getting sprinkled into the teamsheet, including a 16-year-old Cavan Sullivan who just turned 17 over the weekend. Pochettino is really ringing the changes early in this lengthy four-game international break that stretches between September and October.
Pochettino Goes All In On Youth For Chile Clash
Against Chile, ranked 49th in the world by FIFA and coming off a rough 2026 cycle where they totally missed the World Cup, Pochettino has once again rolled out an extremely young lineup. It’s a squad that’s intentionally light on width, meaning Sergino Dest and Antonee Robinson will be tasked with providing all the attacking push from the flanks. Gio Reyna will be tucked inside, helping with ball progression through the middle. But the real headline here is Mehmeti, the 17-year-old New York Red Bulls midfielder who has scouts absolutely buzzing about his future. He’s starting right alongside another teenager, Brooklyn Raines, in midfield, with Sebastian Berhalter joining them in the middle of the pitch.
More Young Guns Ready On The Bench
The youth wave doesn’t stop with the starters either. Cavan Sullivan, that 17-year-old sensation, is among the substitutes for this game, sitting alongside veterans like Tyler Adams and Chris Richards. It’s clear Pochettino wants to see what these young players can do on the big stage. Interestingly, Diego Kochen, a young goalkeeper who actually debuted in the second half against Peru, is a healthy scratch for this match and won’t be appearing. This squad rotation shows Pochettino’s intent to test out a wide pool of talent. The USMNT is using TNT and truTV for this one, kicking off at 7 p.m. local time from CityPark in St. Louis. Get ready to see the future of US soccer tonight!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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