Get to Know the USMNT Rising Talents ahead of June Matches 

The roster is set for the upcoming June friendlies against Türkiye (June 7 in East Hartford, Conn.) and Switzerland (June 10 in Nashville, Tenn.). It features six players looking to make their MNT debut: Chris Brady (GK), Matt Freese (GK), Alex Freeman (DF), Sebastian Berhalter (MF), Quinn Sullivan (MF) and Damion Downs (FW).

After the tune-up matches, the USMNT will compete in the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup, the confederation championship that runs from June 14 to July 6 in the United States. While that roster will be officially announced June 4, it’s likely many of these names will help the USA contend for its eighth Gold Cup trophy.

“It's so exciting to see different players, young players, players that maybe have not played or they are going to make their debut with the national team,” head coach Mauricio Pochettino said after the roster announcement.

This is a prime opportunity for young players to stake their claim, and history demonstrates how this can lead to a golden ticket. Since 1993, every roster assembled for a Gold Cup tournament held before a World Cup year has produced a player who went on to make that final U.S. World Cup roster. In total, 12 players with five or fewer caps went on to make a World Cup roster. That's exactly what this roster carries — 12 players with five or fewer appearances.

So, let’s get to know the new faces.

Chris Brady – Goalkeeper (Chicago Fire, MLS)

Chris Brady earned his first call-up after goalkeeper Patrick Schulte was sidelined with an oblique injury. Brady, like many other newcomers, came up through the U.S. Soccer Youth teams. The 21-year-old goalkeeper represented the red, white and blue most notably on the U-20 Men’s National Team in the Concacaf U-20 Championship and earned Golden Glove honors as the U.S. took home the trophy.

Brady has started all 13 games for the Fire in the 2025 MLS season and recorded 43 saves in that span. The Chicago native has been with the club since 2021, when he was 16 and became the starting ‘keeper in 2023. In total, he’s tallied 253 saves and 16 clean sheets. 

Matt Freese - Goalkeeper (New York City FC, MLS)

Matt Freese is one of four goalkeepers called up for the June training camp joined by fellow first-timerBrady alongside veteran Zack Steffen (30 caps) and Matt Turner (51 caps).

The 6-foot-5 ‘keeper is in his sixth year in MLS and his second with New York City FC. Freese started all 34 games last season, finishing third in the league in saves with 119. This season, he has seven clean sheets through 16 games, tied for third-best in the league.

The goalkeeper, like others, is a position up for competition. Pochettino said this is an opportunity for new players to challenge those who others may see as givens for the 2026 World Cup roster.

Alex Freeman - Defender (Orlando City, MLS)

Alex Freeman has been in the Orlando City system since 2022, when he was 17 years old. Now at age 20, he’s having a breakout season.

Through 16 matches and 15 starts, he’s accounted for four goals — scoring three and assisting on one. Freeman appeared in just three games before this season.

Freeman, the son of former Green Packers All-Pro wide receiver and Super Bowl champion Antonio Freeman, comes from a professional athlete’s pedigree. Now, the right back is making a name for himself in a different kind of football.

Sebastian Berhalter – Midfielder (Vancouver Whitecaps, MLS)

Sebastien Berhalter joins the USMNT as one of two uncapped midfielders. Berhalter has racked up four goals and five assists in all competitions, with one goal and four assists in MLS play. He’s played a key role in the Vancouver Whitecaps' run to the Concacaf Champions Cup Final, having recorded three goals and two assists in eight starts.

Berhalter is quite familiar with the U.S. Soccer ecosystem, getting a unique perspective as the son of former USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter. The 24-year-old midfielder has been with the Whitecaps since 2022 but began his MLS career with Columbus Crew in 2020 and Austin FC in 2021.

Quinn Sullivan - Midfielder (Philadelphia Union, MLS)

Quinn Sullivan may be a first-time call-up, but he’s no stranger to wearing the U.S. Soccer crest. Sullivan was a standout player on the U-20 Men’s National Team, including a hat trick in the 2022 Concacaf U-20 Championship tournament, where the USA ultimately won, beating the Dominican Republic.

Sullivan plays for the Philadelphia Union, where he’s spent the last five seasons. He’s been within the franchise since 2020, when he played on USL Championship squad Union II as a 15-year-old.

Sullivan has recorded two goals — the second coming fresh off of his USMNT call-up — and seven assists through 16 games (15 starts). His seven assists rank him tied for second in the MLS. Philadelphia currently sits atop the Eastern Conference with a 10-3-3, 33 points record, and Sullivan has been a key piece in their rise to the top of the table. 

Damion Downs - Forward (FC Köln, Bundesliga)

Damion Downs joins the squad as the only fresh face currently playing in Europe. FC Köln finished the season No. 1 in the Bundesliga 2, earning a promotion back to Germany’s top professional division.

Downs appeared in 29 of 34 matches and tallied 10 goals and three assists. The 20-year-old forward has been in the Köln system since he was 16 years old, playing in the U-17 Bundesliga.

He has ties to both Germany and the United States, with an American father and a German mother. He’s spent significant time in both countries, as he lived in Texas for several years growing up.