USMNT vs South Korea prediction, projected lineups, and how to watch

After a brief hiatus, the USMNT is back in action on Saturday against South Korea. This will be the first game for Mauricio Pochettino’s team since losing the Gold Cup final against Mexico.

It’ll be the first of six friendly games between now and the end of 2025, as the Americans start to ramp up preparations for the 2026 World Cup next summer.

Speaking of the 2026 World Cup, South Korea has already booked its ticket to be there. The Koreans won their group in the third round of Asian qualification, guaranteeing them a spot in the field of 48. Similar to the U.S., they are starting to prepare for next summer, starting with friendlies against the U.S. and Mexico over the next week.

It’s been more than a decade since the U.S. and South Korea shared the field. They last met in a friendly in February 2014. Chris Wondolowski (of all people) scored the only goals in a 2-0 USMNT victory.

Before that, the famous 1-1 draw between the U.S. and South Korea during the 2002 World Cup was the prior meeting between the two countries, making this a rather unique matchup.

How to Watch USMNT vs South Korea

• Time: Saturday, September 6, 5:00 PM, ET/ 2.00 PM PT

• Venue: Sports Illustrated Stadium, Harrison, New Jersey

• Tickets: Click here

• TV/streaming: TNT and HBOMax in English | Telemundo, Universo, and Peacock in Spanish

USMNT vs South Korea Projected Lineup

This USMNT team combines veterans, returning familiar faces, and fringe players. Chris Richards, Tim Ream, and Tyler Adams have returned after leading the US team in the Gold Cup, while Christian Pulisic, Tim Weah, and Sergiño Dest return after being absent from the summer squad.

Pochettino is also bringing back some young players from the Gold Cup roster to challenge them against better competition, while also introducing some new players to the group, creating several possible lineup combinations.

USMNT Lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left)

Matt Freese (GK) - Sergiño Dest, Chris Richards, Tim Ream, Max Arfsten - Tyler Adams, Luca de la Torre - Tim Weah, Diego Luna, Christian Pulisic - Josh Sargent

South Korea Lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left)

Hyeon-Woo Jo (GK) - Seol Young-woo, Kim Min-jae, Lee Han-beom, Lee Tae-seok - Park Yong-woo, Paik Seung-ho - Jeong Sang-bin, Lee Jae-sung, Lee Kang-in - Son Heung-min

USMNT vs South Korea prediction

Similar to the USMNT, this isn’t necessarily the strongest South Korea roster possible. They’re also missing some familiar names and looking to give playing time to younger players who might be useful during the World Cup.

That could make both teams a little more focused on the process rather than the result, especially since this is the first international window of the fall.

On the other hand, South Korea was a tough team to beat throughout qualifying. In fairness, the U.S. is probably the best team the Koreans have played in a while, at least since the Asian Cup last summer. The Koreans have also had a habit of struggling with teams from the Western Hemisphere.

Despite going unbeaten in qualification, South Korea settled for several draws against less-than-stellar competition. Keeping clean sheets also proved to be challenging for them.

Now that the U.S. is a little closer to full strength with Christian Pulisic and Tim Weah leading the way, not to mention a red-hot Josh Sargent, the USMNT should prove to be the better team on Saturday.

Game prediction: USA 2South Korea 1