Sep 6, 2025; Harrison, New Jersey, USA; US Men's National Team midfielder Tyler Adams (4) controls the ball against South Korea during the first half at Sports Illustrated Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

The U.S. men’s national team lost 2-0 to South Korea in a friendly match in Harrison, NJ on Saturday, a lackluster performance in the side’s first match in three months.

Son Heung-Min and Lee Dong-Gyeong scored Korea’s goals in the first half and USMNT manager Mauricio Pochettino’s team didn’t look particularly inspired until a flurry of shots in second-half stoppage time.

Christian Pulisic returned to the team after sitting out this summer’s Gold Cup, a controversial decision that drew ire from USMNT legend Landon Donovan – though Pulisic’s teammates backed him up against the criticism.

The USMNT is back in action at Sports Illustrated Stadium (formerly Red Bull Arena) on Tuesday with a friendly against Japan, and have two more exhibitions in October (vs. Australia and Ecuador) remaining on the calendar for this year.

The Americans open the 2026 World Cup on June 12 at SoFi Stadium in Southern California.

Here's how Saturday's match unfolded:

70th minute: Korea 2, USMNT 0

Not much action here in the second half and the score remains 2-0 but both teams have made wholesale changes. Alex Freeman, Cristian Roldan, Folarin Balogun and Chris Richards came on for the USMNT.

HALFTIME: South Korea 2, USMNT 0

Lee Dong-Gyeong scored in the 43rd minute with a pretty back-heel finish to double Korea's lead and send the USMNT into the break facing an even bigger climb.

Son Heung-Min goal! Korea 1, USMNT 0

A superstar in the Premier League who just moved to the U.S. to join LAFC, Son Heung-Min scored the game's opening goal in the 18th minute, beating USMNT goalkeeper Matthew Freese from a tight angle on the left side.

Son played for years at Tottenham under current USMNT manager Mauricio Pochettino, developing into one of the world's top players.

USMNT vs. Korea underway: 0-0 through 10 minutes

Saturday's friendly has begun in Harrison, NJ with the two sides scoreless through the first 10 minutes. The USMNT attack has looked dangerous on the edge of the penalty area, but has been unable to create a clear chance.

USMNT starting lineup today vs. Korea

Starters: 1-Matt Freese, 2-Sergiño Dest, 4-Tyler Adams, 7-Diego Luna, 8-Sebastian Berhalter, 9-Josh Sargent, 10-Christian Pulisic, 13-Tim Ream (Capt.), 15-Tristan Blackmon, 18-Max Arfsten, 21-Tim Weah

Substitutes: 12-Jonathan Klinsmann, 22-Roman Celentano, 3-Chris Richards, 6-Jack McGlynn, 11-Damion Downs, 14-Luca de la Torre, 16-Alex Freeman, 17-Alex Zendejas, 19-Nathan Harriel, 24-Cristian Roldan

USMNT vs. Korea preview

The U.S. men's national team, after a strange summer balancing positive developments and negative stories, will face South Korea in an international soccer friendly Saturday evening.

The positives came during the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup, which saw a USMNT missing several of its biggest names march to the final before falling in the final to Mexico.

With stars like Christian Pulisic unavailable for a range of reasons, young players like Matt Freese, Diego Luna and Malik Tillman stepped up under head coach Mauricio Pochettino. An MLS-heavy squad exceeded expectations, upping the level of competition to make next summer's World Cup roster.

On the downside, Pulisic's absence came after the team's undisputed star asked for time off, with the AC Milan attacking midfielder citing a need for rest so he can be at his best at the World Cup. That went down poorly with a long list of ex-USMNT players-turned-pundits, sparking a war of words between generations.

Another vital USMNT attacker, Tim Weah, went so far as to call the critics "evil," and stood by those remarks in a pre-game press conference on Thursday. Meanwhile, Pochettino has assembled a USMNT roster that left observers puzzled, with arguably the team's best player not named Pulisic (Weston McKennie) left off as the Argentine manager says he wants to see what other players are capable of.

The 24-man squad is a fascinating one, blending established stars like Pulisic with youngsters (think uncapped, 18-year-old defender Noahkai Banks) and veterans getting a second look like Cristian Roldan and Alex Zendejas. Roldan and striker Folarin Balogun — who due to some bad timing with injury has barely played under Pochettino — were late additions to the team, another departure from U.S. norms.

With all of that swirling, this international window will see the USMNT play the "Taeguk Warriors" at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, N.J. before heading to Columbus, Ohio for a Tuesday night friendly against Japan. Both teams have qualified for the World Cup and have similar aims to escape the group stage and win at least one knockout-round match.

– Jason Anderson

USMNT schedule 2025

After facing South Korea, the USMNT has three friendlies left on the calendar for 2025:

  • Sept. 9 vs. Japan in Harrison, NJ
  • Oct. 10 vs. Ecuador in Austin, TX
  • Oct. 14 vs. Australia in Colorado

How to watch USMNT vs. South Korea: Time, TV, streaming

  • Date: Saturday, Sept. 6
  • Time: 5 p.m. ET
  • Location: Sports Illustrated Stadium (Harrison, New Jersey)
  • TV channel: TNT (English); Telemundo, Universo (Spanish)
  • Streaming: Fubo, Max, Sling TV (English); Peacock (Spanish)

Watch USMNT vs. South Korea on Fubo (free trial)

Why isn't Weston McKennie playing for USMNT vs Korea?

Speaking to reporters after announcing his roster, USMNT manager Mauricio Pochettino indicated that McKennie was better served staying with his club to fight for his place.

"We already know Weston, it's not necessary to call him," Pochettino said. "He's in a situation where he arrived with no preseason because he was involved in the Club World Cup. He started the season last week in Italy.

"We wanted to give him the possibility to be more settled in his club and have the possibility to be in his best form."

– Seth Vertelney, Pro Soccer Wire

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: USMNT drops friendly vs. Korea despite Christian Pulisic return: Highlights

Reporting by Jason Anderson and Jesse Yomtov, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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