USA vs South Korea
USA continue their preparations for next year’s World Cup by engaging in several friendlies this international break. First up is an International Friendly against South Korea, who have already booked their tickets to the showpiece event after acing the third round of the World Cup 2026 Asian qualifiers with flying colors.
Both sides were denied trophies last international break, as the USA lost to Mexico in the CONCACAF Gold Cup final, while South Korea lost to Japan in the EAFF East Asian Cup. So, they will aim to return to winning ways in the next few days.
It has been a while since the USA and South Korea faced off in a competitive game, and both teams are eager to put on a show in the Sports Illustrated Stadium in New Jersey this Saturday evening. Also, this could be a close game, according to the pregame SBOTOP International Friendly 2025 odds.
Talking Points
USA stars plan to make up for lost time
The USA recently recalled Sergino Dest, Folarin Balogun, and Christian Pulisic back to the national team after they missed out on the last international break, and the three of them hope to make up for lost time.
Dest tore his ACL in April 2024 and hasn’t played with the Stars and Stripes since they won the 2024 CONCACAF Nations League. The right-back was on the initial roster for the summer but instead opted to continue his rehab. Since then, Dest has had a strong start with PSV Eindhoven this season, registering two goals and one assist through five games.
Balogun had a dislocated shoulder, which kept him sidelined at the end of 2024. Then, he sustained an ankle injury that forced him to miss the team’s CONCACAF Gold Cup run. He scored on his first start back from injury during AS Monaco’s 3-1 victory over Saint-Etienne last May.
Pulisic is also back in the squad after being rested at the CONCACAF Gold Cup. The former Chelsea man already has two goals for AC Milan across all competitions this season.
On the other hand, head coach Mauricio Pochettino also called up Augsburg’s Noahkai Banks, Vancouver Whitecaps’ Tristan Blackmon, FC Cincinnati’s Roman Celentano, and Cesena’s Jonathan Klinsmann to the national team for the first time, and all of them plan to prove their worth this international break.
South Korea stars approaching milestones
Head coach Hong Myung-Bo will bring back his A-team this international break, and some of his stars are about to reach major milestones in their international careers this weekend. Lee Jae-Sung and Lee Kang-In are just two caps away from the century mark and 40, while Kim Min-Jae is one cap short of 70, and Oh Hyeon-Gyu can reach 20 caps on Saturday.
South Korea’s attack has been solid during the World Cup qualifiers, and their forwards hope to carry their fine form this international break. Captain Son Heung-Min, who now plays for LAFC in the United States, had three goals in the second round, with Hyeon-Gyu and Jae-Sung netting four.
In other International Friendly 2025 news, the Taeguk Warriors recently called up Jens Castrop to the national team for the first time. The 22-year-old Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder is the first foreign-born player of mixed blood to be part of the squad. Moreover, youngsters Song Bum-Keun, Byeon Jun-Soo, Kim Tae-Hyon, Lee Han-Beom, and Jeong Sang-Bin all have one cap each and are hoping to make a name for themselves this weekend.
History
The USA and South Korea will square off on the international stage for the first time in over a decade this weekend. The Stars and Stripes won 2-0 during their last exhibition game in February 2014, as Chris Wondolowski had one goal in each half.
Previously, these two nations were in Group D of the 2002 World Cup, and South Korea, who took the top spot, drew 1-1 against the USA during the group stage. They both made it to the knockouts, with South Korea finishing fourth at home, and the USA 1-0 to Germany in the quarter-finals.
USA are unbeaten in their last three matches against South Korea (W2, D1). Overall, these two nations have faced off seven times, with South Korea winning three, the USA winning two, and two draws.
The USA will host the World Cup for the second time next year. They first did it in 1994. During World Cup 2022, the Stars and Stripes and Taeguk Warriors advanced to the Round of 16, losing to the Netherlands (3-1) and Brazil (4-1), respectively.
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