USMNT Host South Korea Friendly in New Jersey

The U.S. men's national soccer team (USMNT) will face South Korea in an international friendly at the newly renamed Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey, marking a key step in their preparation for the 2026 World Cup. Despite missing some star players like Christian Pulisic during the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup, the team, led by coach Mauricio Pochettino, impressed by reaching the final, with younger and fringe players stepping up. Pulisic returns for the friendly, joining other European-based stars such as Sergiño Dest and Tim Weah, while Pochettino continues to experiment with the squad, including late additions like Folarin Balogun. South Korea, already qualified for the World Cup and led by LAFC's Son Heung-min, brings a strong team with a mix of domestic and international players and plans to experiment tactically. The match offers a reunion between Pochettino and Son Heung-min, reflecting a personal connection and competitive spirit. Both teams aim to use this window to test their squads ahead of the tournament they will both participate in, with the USMNT seeking to build momentum after their runner-up finish at the Gold Cup.