Mauricio Pochettino reveals fitness reason behind leaving Ricardo Pepi off USMNT Nations League roster

Mauricio Pochettino explained that striker Ricardo Pepi was left off the USMNT Nations League roster to allow him to build fitness in training at PSV.

The United States Men's National Team manager named a 25-player squad for the upcoming CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinals against Haiti.

Pepi was a conspicuous omission from the group.

The young forward recently logged game action after dealing with fitness concerns.

Pochettino revealed that Pepi is not currently operating at 100 percent physical condition.

"That is why I think the balance, because Justin and Julian, they are fully fit, I go a little bit ahead, that is why we didn't bring, even if we played a few minutes last week, Pepi, Ricardo," Pochettino explained.

The Argentine coach prioritized a long-term approach for the forward rather than rushing him into international duty.

"But I think in our way to see and assess the players, we decided much better to keep him training (with PSV) and establish himself being more solid in his fitness and be more confident to attack the future," Pochettino said.

Staying in the Netherlands allows the forward uninterrupted training time with his club.

THE SQUAD SELECTION DILEMMA

Pochettino weighed his forward options carefully before finalizing the squad for the two-legged quarterfinal.

Folarin Balogun earned a recall to the senior setup alongside teenage attackers Julian Hall and Justin Ellis.

Balogun has endured a difficult club period with AS Monaco after a proposed summer transfer to Premier League club Everton collapsed.

Pochettino acknowledged that Balogun is also working back toward peak form.

"It's a great opportunity to keep helping him (Balogun) to evolve after a tough summer, after the World Cup," Pochettino stated.

The manager evaluated the fitness levels of both Balogun and Pepi before making a final determination.

"That is why we didn't want to bring both, because I think both are not 100%, but I think the combination in between Balogun, Ellis and Hall is perfect," Pochettino noted.

Pochettino underlined his excitement regarding Balogun's presence in the group.

"Yes, happy to see again Balogun because I think after the World Cup, we have the possibility to see and it's a great opportunity for him to keep improving his confidence," the manager added.

Balogun provides established senior experience to the attack.

He has collected 31 caps and scored 12 goals in his USMNT career.

NEW FACES IN THE ATTACK

Julian Hall and Justin Ellis enter the competitive window on the back of impressive international debuts.

Both young attackers featured in the previous camp's friendly matches.

Hall scored three goals during that recent camp.

Ellis found the back of the net twice in his initial senior appearances.

Their sharp physical condition gave them an edge for this roster selection.

Pochettino pointed to their full fitness as a vital ingredient for tactical balance.

YOUTH MOVEMENT MEETS RETURNING VETERANS

The 25-man roster reflects an aggressive blending of youth prospects with established senior leaders.

It marks the team's second international camp since the 2026 FIFA World Cup cycle.

Crucially, it represents Pochettino's first competitive window in charge of the American side.

Christian Pulisic returns to the national team squad for the first time since the World Cup.

Midfielder Weston McKennie is also back in the fold for official competition.

Defender Sergiño Dest makes his senior return as well.

Pulisic, McKennie, and Dest were previously rested as Pochettino tested 13 uncapped players across four friendly victories.

The manager rewarded seven standout performers from the September and October friendlies with competitive call-ups.

Cavan Sullivan headlines that group of rising talents.

Mathis Albert, Adri Mehmeti, Neil Pierre, and goalkeeper Diego Kochen also retained their roster places alongside Hall and Ellis.

The average age of those seven retained prospects is just 18.1 years.

Sullivan and Pulisic will now share an international camp as teammates for the first time.

"We are playing now an official game [and] the priority always is for the first team," Pochettino said on Wednesday.

"And because we all believe that if the players are involved with the first team, [there] is the possibility to keep growing and of course adding more experience — and good experience," Pochettino said.

"It's easy," the manager remarked regarding the decision to include young players in senior games.

Pochettino handed opportunities to three players outside the recent friendlies group.

Nashville SC defender Reed Baker-Whiting, 21, received his first senior national team call-up.

SC Paderborn midfielder Santiago Castañeda, 21, also earned his maiden senior invitation.

Defender Bryan Reynolds, 25, returns to the setup seeking his first USMNT cap since 2023.

"Now it's a moment we need to add players to the roster to try to provide a good balance to the team," Pochettino said regarding the 2030 World Cup cycle.

"It's a great opportunity for different players now, and … to have the possibility to mix younger with experienced players," the manager said.

EXPERIENCED OMISSIONS AND INJURY COVER

The surge of emerging youth talent came at a cost for several seasoned regulars.

Tim Weah suffered fresh frustration by missing out on the competitive roster.

Brenden Aaronson was omitted from the squad for this window.