The USMNT is already rebuilding itself for the 2030 FIFA World Cup. Co-hosts of its last edition this year, the Stars and Stripes created several records but couldn't help themselves from succumbing to a miserable 4-1 loss to Belgium in the Round of 16 that eclipsed everything else.
Head coach Mauricio Pochettino vowed to stay on and keep on developing the side further for perhaps bigger things in four years' time, and the Argentine's task begins this week when they return to action for the first time since that awful exit from the World Cup on 6 July.
He has announced a 28-man squad for this autumn's quadruple-header of friendlies against Peru, Chile, Mexico and Canada from Saturday, 26 September to Tuesday, 6 October. Among the notable call-ups is Borussia Dortmund's record-breaking star Mathis Albert.
Young American in Bundesliga history
Albert wrote his name in history books earlier this year when he became the youngest American ever to play in the Bundesliga after he was subbed in during their clash with Freiburg in April. At 16 years and 340 days, the winger broke the previous record held by Giovanni Reyna, who also set the record while playing for BVB in 2020, at 17.
He only had about five minutes (including stoppage-time) but it was enough to etch his name in glory. However, since then, Albert has featured just once more for Die Borussen, in their DFB-Pokal clash with HEBC on 1 September as the teenager has continued his development back at their youth academy.
Given the growing list of American stars breaking out in the Bundesliga in recent times, especially at Dortmund, there's big expectations from Albert too. He could follow into the footsteps of Christian Pulisic and Giovani Reyna someday by becoming a household name at the club.
International breakout beckons Albert
But for now, Mathis Albert is looking at another huge milestone in his career, which is debuting for the US Men's National Team. He had the option of representing Germany through his maternal grandparents, who were from the country, as well as France on account of his French father. But Albert has only played for USA's teams in his youth career and never switched allegiance.
He's now on the cusp of breaking out with the Stars and Stripes in what could be a massive turning point for the young gun in his small-but-promising career. We at BVB Buzz will be tracking this development over the next three weeks.
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