The CONCACAF Gold Cup has previously provided the opportunity for players to make their international debuts and this time around is no exception.
Quinn Sullivan and Damion Downs headline a total of six players will be seeking to earn their senior U.S. men’s national team debuts this June. Alex Freeman, Chris Brady, Matt Freese, and Sebastian Berhalter will also be fighting to feature in home friendlies against Turkey and Switzerland before Gold Cup play begins.
With head coach Mauricio Pochettino previously voicing his support for new faces in the squad, all six of these players could feature by June’s end.
Here is a closer look at all six players seeking their USMNT debuts this June:
Quinn Sullivan
One of several rising talents to come out of the Philadelphia Union academy, Quinn Sullivan finally has his USMNT opportunity this June.
Sullivan, 21, entered 2025 coming off his best club season yet and has build off of that production this year. He has contributed two goals and seven assists in 15 starts for the Union, helping Bradley Carnell’s squad to a strong first half of the season.
Sullivan’s versatility could see him used as a midfielder, winger, or lead forward in Pochettino’s set up.
Damion Downs
Damion Downs could become the latest dual-national to choose the USMNT over a European powerhouse.
The 20-year-old forward recently helped Cologne FC earn promotion back to the Bundesliga, scoring 11 goals during the 2. Bundesliga campaign. Also eligible for the German national team, Pochettino’s plans to get Downs involved early might pay off big time.
Downs will fight with Josh Sargent, Haji Wright, Brian White, and Patrick Agyemang for minutes in June, bringing a youthful energy to the mix.
Alex Freeman
Right back remains a position in question for the USMNT and Alex Freeman has quickly tossed his name into the mix.
The son of former NFL wide receiver Antonio, Alex has relished in his first season as a starter for Orlando City. Freeman has scored three goals and added one assist in 16 appearances.
After playing heavily for Orlando City B over the last two MLS NEXT Pro campaigns, Freeman has made the most of Oscar Pareja’s early trust in him with the first team.
Sebastian Berhalter
24-year-old Sebastian Berhalter has played a key role in the Vancouver Whitecaps’ early-season success in 2025, leading to his recent call up to the USMNT.
Berhalter has tallied one goal and four assists in 15 MLS appearances this season, logging just over 1,000 minutes of playing time. A versatile midfielder, Berhalter is the son of former USMNT head coach and player, Gregg.
He has been knocking on the door for his debut and June could finally be the time for it.
Chris Brady
Chris Brady is one of the more experienced 21-year-old’s in MLS.
Brady has remained the Chicago Fire’s starting goalkeeper for the third-straight season, registering two clean sheets in 13 appearances. A former USYNT standout, Brady replaced the injured Patrick Schulte on the roster, joining Matt Turner, Matt Freese, and Zack Steffen in the goalkeeping corps.
Brady has stood on his head for Chicago in 2025 and now has a strong chance to feature for the USMNT.
Matt Freese
Moving to New York City FC might have been the best move for Matt Freese.
Freese has remained NYCFC’s No. 1 goalkeeper for the second-straight season, logging six clean sheets in 2025. The former Philadelphia Union homegrown mainly sat behind Andre Blake as a youngster, but now has become one of the more consistent shot-stoppers in MLS.
Freese will challenge for minutes this June, especially with the USMNT’s No. 1 job still undetermined.
France has so many young attacking talent. It’s ridiculous. PSG youngsters destroying Inter in the UCL.
Yes they do, but only 2 French players started for PSG and one of those was Dembele who is 28. Most of the youngsters came on late after it was over. Luckily it’s doubtful Doue, Mayulu, or Zaire-Emery will be with the U20 squad facing the US on October 2. Mayulu who scored the final goal in the final was on the bench when Cole Campbell and Taha Habroune led the US past France 2-1 last November.
Was Josh Sargent added? Don’t see anywhere that he was.
I think it’s just a mistake should be Balogun instead of Sargent. Monaco just put out a story about Flo going to GC on their website that Larry retweeted.
Turkey squad is strong man this will be a fun test.
Interesting, Yildaz (Juventus) and Ozcan (Dortmund) are listed on their roster for the friendlies.
Hmmmm…….That’s strange, I thought McKennie (Juventus) and Reyna (Dortmund) had “Club World Cup Duties”? Lol
This is the last window before UEFA WC qualifying. Turkey just has the two friendlies June 7, 10. Giving those players at least a week before their first CWC match. The US probably decided it wasn’t worth bringing in guys just for the friendlies when they needed to prepare for the GC on the 15th.