9 MLS Players Called Up for USMNT Friendlies Against Belgium, Portugal

Mauricio Pochettino names 27-man roster for key World Cup preparations

Mar. 17, 2026 at 3:33pm

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United States men's national team head coach Mauricio Pochettino has called up 9 MLS players to the 27-man roster for upcoming friendlies against top-10 ranked Belgium and Portugal. The matches in Atlanta will serve as key preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which the U.S. is co-hosting.

Why it matters

The USMNT is using these high-profile friendlies to evaluate talent and finalize its World Cup roster ahead of the tournament this summer. The inclusion of 9 MLS players highlights the growing influence of the domestic league on the national team program.

The details

Pochettino's roster features players from across Europe's top leagues, including Bundesliga, Premier League, and Ligue 1. Notable call-ups include Gio Reyna and Joe Scally from Borussia Mönchengladbach, Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United), and Chris Richards (Crystal Palace). MLS-based players like Ricardo Pepi (PSV Eindhoven), Tanner Tessmann (Lyon), and Aidan Morris (Middlesbrough) also earned spots.

  • The USMNT will face Belgium on March 25 and Portugal on March 28 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
  • After the March window, the USMNT will have one more pre-World Cup camp in May, with friendlies against Senegal and Germany.

The players

Mauricio Pochettino

Head coach of the United States men's national team.

Diego Luna

Midfielder for Real Salt Lake who recently returned from a knee injury and did not receive a call-up.

Gio Reyna

Midfielder for Borussia Mönchengladbach and USMNT.

Joe Scally

Defender for Borussia Mönchengladbach and USMNT.

Brenden Aaronson

Midfielder for Leeds United and USMNT.

Chris Richards

Defender for Crystal Palace and USMNT.

Ricardo Pepi

Forward for PSV Eindhoven and USMNT.

Tanner Tessmann

Midfielder for Lyon and USMNT.

Aidan Morris

Midfielder for Middlesbrough and USMNT.

Patrick Agyemang

Forward for Derby County and former Charlotte FC player.

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What’s next

After the March window, the USMNT will have one more pre-World Cup camp in May, with friendlies against Senegal on May 31 and Germany on June 6.

The takeaway

The inclusion of 9 MLS players in the USMNT's 27-man roster for the Belgium and Portugal friendlies underscores the growing influence of the domestic league on the national team program as it prepares for the 2026 World Cup on home soil.