International Soccer
Neil Pierre, Cavan Sullivan and Frankie Westfield named to USMNT fall roster
Philadelphia Union homegrowns Neil Pierre, Cavan Sullivan and Frankie Westfield have been called up to the U.S. Men’s National Team for its fall friendlies in September and October.
The trio is part of the 26-man roster selected by manager Mauricio Pochettino, which includes first-time call-ups and experienced USMNT players. All three players have been named to the USMNT for the first time in their young careers.
Pierre, Sullivan and Westfield have been driving forces behind the Union’s 10-game unbeaten run and miraculous climb from last in MLS at the World Cup break to a playoff spot with nine matches remaining.
Since returning from a half-season loan at Lyngby in Denmark, Pierre, 18, has formed a dominant center-back partnership with Nathan Harriel. The Union has conceded just nine goals in 10 league matches since Pierre’s insertion into the lineup, with three consecutive shutouts. The 6-foot-7 defender also has four goals in nine MLS starts, often using his height to his advantage on set pieces.
Sullivan, 16, has taken the league by storm in the second half of the season. Already regarded as one of the sport’s top young prospects, Sullivan is now consistently showing his talent on the pitch. Before the World Cup break, the attacker had one goal and four assists, but since the league returned to play in late July, Sullivan has five goals and seven assists in 10 games. His 17 league goal contributions in 2026 are one behind Milan Iloski for the team lead.
The 16-year-old won MLS Player of the Matchday after recording a brace and a secondary assist in a 5-0 victory over San Diego on Sunday, Sept. 13.
According to ESPN, if Sullivan makes his USMNT debut in any of the four matches during the international window, he will become the second-youngest player to play for the USMNT, behind former Union attacker Freddy Adu, who was 16 years and 243 days old when he set the record in 2006. Sullivan will turn 17 on Sept. 28, two days after the USMNT’s first friendly against Peru in Orlando.
Westfield, 20, has been a versatile fullback for the Union this season. The natural right back returned to his preferred position for the second half of the season after the return of left back Kai Wagner. Westfield has five assists during the Union’s unbeaten run. Despite playing a position with a lot of competition and depth within the USMNT, Westfield has done plenty to earn a call-up from Pochettino.
Pierre and Sullivan aren’t the only teenagers on the roster. Another pair of players from an MLS club will get their first call-ups, with Red Bull New York’s Julian Hall, 18, and Adri Mehmeti, 17, being named to the roster. Orlando City’s Justin Ellis, 19, is the fifth teenager from MLS in the squad. Nineteen-year-old Zavier Gozo, who departed Real Salt Lake for Crystal Palace this summer, was a potential inclusion in the USMNT’s 2026 World Cup squad. He received his first call-up to the senior national team for the fall friendlies. The youth movement is rounded out by 17-year-old winger Mathis Albert of Borussia Dortmund.
Following the opening game of the international window, the USMNT will host Chile in St. Louis on Tuesday, Sept. 29; Mexico in Glendale, Arizona, on Saturday, Oct. 3; and Canada in St. Paul, Minnesota on Tuesday, Oct. 6.
Pierre, Sullivan and Westfield will miss the Union’s home match against Orlando City on Saturday, Sept. 26, but will return for the following match at home against Real Salt Lake on Saturday, Oct. 10.
Former Philadelphia Union homegrowns Auston Trusty and Matt Freese along with Chester-born defender George Campbell are also on the roster.
DETAILED ROSTER BY POSITION (Club/Country; Caps/Goals)
GOALKEEPERS (4): Chris Brady (Chicago Fire; 1/0), Matt Freese (New York City FC; 19/0), Diego Kochen (Lyngby Boldklub/DEN; 0/0), Brian Schwake (Nashville SC; 0/0)
DEFENDERS (10): George Campbell (West Bromwich Albion FC/ENG; 1/0), Sergiño Dest (PSV Eindhoven/NED; 44/3), Alex Freeman (Villarreal/ESP; 22/3), Peyton Miller (New England Revolution; 0/0), Neil Pierre (Philadelphia Union; 0/0), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace/ENG; 40/3), Antonee Robinson (Fulham/ENG; 58/5), Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati; 41/3), Auston Trusty (Celtic/SCO; 10/1), Frankie Westfield (Philadelphia Union; 0/0)
MIDFIELDERS (9): Tyler Adams (AFC Bournemouth/ENG; 58/2), Mathis Albert (Borussia Dortmund/GER; 0/0), Sebastian Berhalter (Middlesbrough/ENG; 18/2), Zavier Gozo (Crystal Palace/ENG; 0/0), Adri Mehmeti (Red Bull New York; 0/0), Yunus Musah (AC Milan/ITA; 47/1), Brooklyn Raines (New England Revolution; 0/0), Gio Reyna (RC Strasbourg Alsace/FRA; 43/10), Malik Tillman (Bayer Leverkusen/GER; 35/5)
FORWARDS (5): Cole Campbell (SV Elversberg/GER; 0/0); Justin Ellis (Orlando City SC; 0/0), Julian Hall (Red Bull New York; 0/0), Ricardo Pepi (PSV Eindhoven/NED; 42/13), Cavan Sullivan (Philadelphia Union; 0/0)
