Connections, Competition Define USMNT Matchup with Korea Republic

Meetings between the United States and Korea Republic have been few and far between in men’s soccer. Saturday’s matchup at Sports Illustrated Stadium will be just the second time the two nations have faced each other on the pitch in the last 23 years. The U.S. recorded a 2-0 win in the series in 2014, and the previous meeting occurred in the 2002 World Cup. The two sides tied 1-1 in the group stage, a key result that advanced the United States to the knockout round.

While Korea Republic may not be a familiar opponent for the United States, one thing is certain – the Korean side is World-Cup caliber.

The nation qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup back in June, becoming the fourth AFC country to do so. Korea Republic is one of the most consistent programs in men’s soccer when it comes to securing qualification. The men's team has been to 11 World Cups in history, including as a co-host in 2002, and went undefeated in all their qualifying matches played this year.

“South Korea is a very good team, a good challenge for us,” U.S. head coach Mauricio Pochettino said during his press conference Friday.

This Saturday, the U.S. team will see new players and new faces, which Pochettino views as an important part in his team’s cohesion and preparation leading into next summer’s tournament.

“It’s a little bit of a different team than we were facing last in the Gold Cup,” he said. “The challenge for us is to rise to the best condition for the World Cup and to give options to different players that maybe haven’t played before.”

There will be one facet of the Korea Republic team familiar to the United States and worldwide soccer fans alike. Korea’s September roster features Son Heung-Min, one of the most popular Asian football players in history.

Son’s resume as a global superstar is extensive, and his accolades underscore his standing as both a leader and cultural icon: captain of the South Korea National Team and Tottenham Hotspur, the top Asian goal scorer in UEFA Champions League and English Premier League history, English Premier League Golden Boot winner (2021), and FIFA Puskas Award winner (2020).

Son’s career took off playing for Tottenham Hotspur, the EPL club where Pochettino served as manager for five years. Together, he and Son finished second place in the 2019 UEFA Champions League.

“We really love each other, and he was one of the most important players in my period at Tottenham,” Pochettino said.

Pochettino revealed that he had his eyes set on Son long before his Tottenham days. He first chased the forward when Pochettino managed Southampton. It didn’t work out that time, but the stars aligned for the two at Tottenham.

After 10 years at Tottenham, Son made the jump to play in the United States in August. He signed with LAFC, the 2022 MLS Cup champions, in the Western Conference of Major League Soccer. The high-profile signing of the popular and talented player drew new eyes and more attention to American soccer.

“With the addition of Son, the level is growing,” Pochettino said of MLS. “The evolution is really good, and the interest of the rest of the world in MLS is higher than before.”

MLS will be well-represented in Saturday night’s friendly. The USMNT roster, with the late addition of Cristian Roldan, includes a total of 13 who play their club soccer in MLS. Twelve players, including Tyler Adams with New York Red Bulls, came through MLS academy ranks.

One of those 13 is goalkeeper Matt Freese, who earned his first competitive minutes in the Gold Cup this summer and is the only capped goalkeeper on the USMNT roster for September. Fellow goalkeeper Roman Celentano of FC Cincinnati is tied for second in MLS in clean sheets.

Freese credits the growth he’s seen this year with his increased playing time at New York City FC. In the span of four years, he’s gone from 10 club appearances to nearly 50, which he made last season, giving him plenty of reps to grow and be ready to compete at the international level.

“Each team has their own philosophy and style of playing, and you have to be able to adapt to whatever is necessary,” he said. “Thankfully, I believe adaptability and quick learning are two of my strengths. And I’m trying to apply that here. When I go back to New York, when I come back here, it’s important to be able to adapt and, at the same time, find the balance.

Another player with an MLS pedigree is veteran Tim Ream. Ream began his professional career at the same place as Adams and where the USMNT trained this week – New York Red Bulls – when he was selected in the second round in the 2010 MLS SuperDraft out of Saint Louis University.

Ream is now in his second year at Charlotte FC after almost a decade with Fulham in the EPL. While Saturday’s match will be a homecoming of sorts for the 37-year-old, the second-most capped player on this roster maintains the same level of intensity as he did as a rookie in 2011. 

“Competition can drive you and push you. It prepares you and hardens you for the coming months,” Ream said.