The USMNT play for the first time since losing the Gold Cup final 2-1 to Mexico in Houston on July 7 when South Korea visit New Jersey’s Sports Illustrated Stadium on Saturday.
The 2026 Fifa World Cup co-hosts are continuing their preparations against opponents who are ranked eight places below them at 23rd in Fifa’s standings and have qualified for the finals to extend their record of featuring at every edition of the World Cup since 1986.
South Korea talisman and new LAFC signing Son Heung-min is one of the most high-profile players hoping to be involved in the friendly.
101GreatGoals.com brings you the line-ups from the USA vs South Korea in a warm-up for the 2026 World Cup, as well as details on how to watch the game.
Stars & Stripes on site! 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/sSnhdilKpy
— U.S. Soccer Men’s National Team (@USMNT) September 6, 2025
USA starting lineup vs South Korea
USMNT manager Mauricio Pochettino has called up 10 players with fewer than 10 caps each and 12 players from the run to the Gold Cup final.
Some senior stars have been left out to spend more time with their clubs, including midfielders Johnny Cardoso – a new Atletico Madrid signing – and Weston McKennie at Juventus.
Defender Sergino Dest starts after returning from injury, as does in-form Norwich City forward Josh Sargent, who is back in the squad for the first time since March.
Tristan Blackmon makes his senior bow and fellow defender Noahkai Banks and goalkeepers Roman Celentano and Jonathan Klinsmann will follow suit if they come off the bench.
The USA also face Japan in Ohio on Tuesday (19:30 ET / 16:30 PT / 00:30 on Wednesday BST).
USA starting XI: Matt Freese, Sergino Dest, Sebastian Berhalter, Tim Ream, Max Arfsten, Tyler Adams, Tristan Blackmon, Timothy Weah, Diego Luna, Christian Pulisic, Josh Sargent
USA substitutes: Jonathan Klinsmann, Roman Celentano, Chris Richards, Jack McGlynn, Damion Downs, Luca de la Torre, Alex Freeman, Alex Zendejas, Nathan Harriel, Cristian Roldan
South Korea starting lineup vs USMNT
Veteran goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu returns to Korea’s squad for the first time since January 2024 and is on the bench.
Forward Son’s seven-year captaincy of his country is in question according to news agency Yonhap, who say Hong will keep the Tottenham legend as skipper for these games but may reduce his minutes.
Borussia Monchengladbach’s Jens Castrop is initially in reserve after receiving his first call up following the midfielder’s change of allegiance from Germany being approved by Fifa last month.
Feyenoord and former Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Hwang In-beom is out injured.
South Korea will proceed to meet Mexico in Nashville on Tuesday (21:00 ET / 18:00 PT / 02:00 on Wednesday BST).
South Korea starting XI: Jo Hyeon-Woo, Seol Young-Woo, Kim Ju-Sung, Lee Tae-Seok, Min-Jae Kim, Lee Han-Beom, Lee Dong-Gyeong, Paik Seung-Ho, Kim Jin-Gyu, Lee Jae-Sung, Son Heung-Min
South Korea substitutes: Kim Seung-Gyu, Lee Myung-Jae, Park Yong-Woo, Seo Min-Woo, Oh Se-Hun, Song Bum-Keun, Kim Moon-Hwan, Park Jin-Seob, Bae Jun-Ho, Lee Kang-In, Oh Hyeon-Gyu, Byeon Jun-Soo, Jens Castrop, Jeong Sang-Bin, Kim Tae-Hyeon
How to watch USMNT v South Korea: Live stream, TV channel
Kick-off on Saturday is at 17:00 ET (14:00 PT/ 22:00 BST), with live coverage in the USA available through US broadcaster TNT with English commentary.
Spanish commentary is on Telemundo, with pre-match coverage starting at 16:30 ET.
Via Hulu, TNT subscriptions start at $8.99 a month. Fans can stream the game on HBO MAX with English commentary and Universo and Peacock with Spanish commentary.
USA vs Korea stats
- The USA have won two and drawn one of the last three meetings between the teams but had lost three and drawn one of their previous four encounters
- They are seeking a first win in three friendlies after losing 2-1 to Turkiye and 4-0 to Switzerland at home in June
- The USMNT have scored in all six of their matches since then, averaging more than two goals a game
- Sargent has scored on all five of his Norwich appearances this season and has a total of six goals for the Canaries, including both in their 2-0 Championship win at Blackburn Rovers last Saturday
- Korea’s last win against the USA was a 1-0 friendly victory in Seogwipo in 2001
- They had been on a 16-match unbeaten run and sequence of four consecutive wins and clean sheets before a 1-0 defeat to Japan in their most recent match on July 15
- The only occasion on which they have conceded more than one goal in their last 17 matches came in a 3-2 World Cup qualifying win over Iraq last October
- Son scored 10 goals during his nation’s qualifying campaign and has a goal and two assists in four MLS appearances
