USA v Korea match preview
USMNT center-back Tim Ream says Mauricio Pochettino’s squad are “looking lovely” ahead of their first match since losing the Gold Cup final 2-1 to Mexico in Houston on July 7.
South Korea are the visitors to New Jersey’s Sports Illustrated Stadium as the 2026 Fifa World Cup co-hosts continue their preparations against opponents ranked eight places below them at 23rd in the standings.
“The quality in training has been amazing,” said Weah, who added that he is “loving” the “vibes and energy we have”.
“Being back after not being with them in the summer is just an amazing feeling. Anytime I’m here, I try to keep that vibe.”
Genk and Korea forward Oh Hyeon-gyu said he “can’t wait” for his side’s pair of friendlies in quick succession, proceeding to a meeting with Mexico in Nashville on Tuesday (21:00 ET / 18:00 PT / 02:00 on Wednesday BST).
Showtime. 🍿 pic.twitter.com/4fLVfTorXX
— U.S. Soccer Men’s National Team (@USMNT) September 5, 2025
“In addition to Korean fans, everyone around the world will be watching,” added Oh, via Yonhap. “I am ready to go and I will let my goals do the talking.”
Korea will extend their record of featuring at every edition of the World Cup since 1986 when the action in Canada, the US and Mexico starts in June.
Manager Hong Myung-bo guided his side to qualification with a match to spare when they beat Iraq 2-0 in June through goals by Oh and Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors Kim Jin-gyu.
USA v South Korea team news
Pochettino has called up 10 players with fewer than 10 caps each and 12 players from the run to Concacaf Gold Cup final.
Some senior players 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.
Top Bin McGlynn. pic.twitter.com/LmGSonSMql
— U.S. Soccer Men’s National Team (@USMNT) September 4, 2025
Defender Sergino Dest and forward Folarin Balogun have returned from injury and in-form Norwich City forward Josh Sargent is back for the first time since March.
“I took [being dropped] as rest-up during the off-season and hit the ground running with Norwich to make sure that I’m back into the next camp,” said Sargent.
“I’ve done a very good job of that at club level and I think that’s why I’m here.”
Veteran goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu returns to Korea’s squad for the first time since January 2024, while icon and new LAFC signing Son Heung-min is certain to be hugely popular with fans.
Forward Son’s seven-year captaincy of his country is in question according to Yonhap, who say Hong will keep the Tottenham legend as skipper for these games but may reduce his minutes.
Borussia Monchengladbach’s Jens Castrop has received his first call up after the midfielder’s change of allegiance from Germany was approved by Fifa last month.
Feyenoord and former Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Hwang In-beom is out injured.
USMNT v Korea predicted line-ups
USA starting XI: Matt Freese, Sergino Dest, Chris Richards, Tim Ream, Max Arfsten, Tyler Adams, Luca de la Torre, Timothy Weah, Diego Luna, Christian Pulisic, Folarin Balogun
South Korea starting XI: Jo Hyeon-woo, Seol Young-woo, Kim Min-jae, Kim Ju-sung, Lee Tae-seok, Park Yong-woo, Paik Seung-ho, Lee Kang-in, Lee Jae-sung, Son Heung-min, Oh Hyeon-gyu
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 v 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
USA v Korea prediction
Both managers have suggested their September friendlies are their last chance to make wholesale changes to their squads and tactics, making this a tricky result to predict.
The hosts are mild favourites but a high-scoring draw appeals between opponents featuring prolific forwards who are keen to impress.
The USA face Japan on Tuesday in Ohio (19:30 ET / 16:30 PT / 00:30 on Wednesday BST).
