USA drops September friendlies squad as Pochettino hire looms - ESPN

AC Milan forward Christian Pulisic, AS Monaco forward Folarin Balogun and Borussia Dortmund midfielder Giovanni Reyna headline the 24-player United States roster that will play a pair of upcoming friendlies against Canada and New Zealand.

The U.S. will square off against Canada, which is managed by former U.S. assistant coach Jesse Marsch, at Children's Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kansas, on Sept. 7. The Americans then face the All Whites at Cincinnati's TQL Stadium three days later.

While the hiring of Mauricio Pochettino as USMNT manager is expected to happen any day now, the team will be managed by Mikey Varas on an interim basis for the duration of the window, which has been the U.S. Soccer Federation's plan for weeks.

Varas, 39, served as assistant coach under previous manager Gregg Berhalter, who was fired following the USMNT's poor performance at the Copa América, where it failed to advance past the group stage.

Varas is reportedly in advanced negotiations to become the first manager of MLS expansion side San Diego FC. The futures on the remaining staff members are part of the discussions for hiring a new manager.

«The opportunity is once in a lifetime,» said Varas. «Anytime you get to represent your country, you have to cherish that moment. At the end of the day though, it's more than an opportunity. It's also a massive responsibility, and we are committed to making sure we have this group to show everyone who we are as a team.»

The current coaching staff now includes Nico Estevez, who rejoined the staff this summer after working as an assistant from 2019-2021. Jack Robinson, the former goalkeeper coach of English Premier League side Liverpool who has been appointed head of goalkeeping for U.S. Soccer, will work