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Meet the next USMNT generation: Zavier Gozo, Julian Hall and the young stars Mauricio Pochettino should fast-track on the road to the 2030 World Cup

Here is a look at the fresh faces who should be involved with the U.S. setup sooner rather than later.

One of the aspects Mauricio Pochettino appears most enthusiastic about is the chance to introduce new talent. After formally confirming this week that he is back as head coach of the U.S. Men's National Team, Pochettino spoke at length about wanting to build something new. A key part of that project is bringing through a new generation that could form the core of the USMNT by 2030.

"I think it's going to be key," Pochettino said this week. "It's going to be important to show the young kids that we really believe they have the potential to arrive in 2030.

"We have four years to start to work and to start to know and settle the principles that we expect from them. I think now, after our experience, we need to provide everyone- the players that were with us in the World Cup or were in the last process and the new generation, a new young player, or a player that maybe matured, but didn't have the possibility to be in that process - they need to feel if they perform, they can have the possibility to to join us."

So who are those young players? Which ones are capable of linking up with the USMNT right now? Here is a closer look at several emerging stars who could begin their USMNT journey in the near future.

Noahkai Banks, FC Augsburg

Of all the names here, this may be the most intriguing, and not only because he plays in an area of need: centre-back. Banks' background is what makes the situation especially fascinating, along with one major question: is he ready and willing to commit?

He was not in the spring, which is ultimately why he did not make the World Cup squad. After joining the USMNT for friendlies in the autumn, Banks asked to leave the March camp so he could consider his options amid interest from Germany. Unfortunately for him, that decision was followed by a drop in game time. Across April and May combined, he played only one match, coming on for 29 minutes from the bench in a 4-0 defeat to Union Berlin in May.

What makes Banks so compelling is that he could potentially be a game-changer for the USMNT. There are some promising centre-back prospects coming through, but none of them currently seem to possess the same potential to become truly elite. The question is whether he can make that leap and, if he does, whether it will happen in a USMNT shirt.

For Pochettino, whose approach places such a heavy emphasis on culture, a Banks return would probably require a serious commitment and a mea culpa. Even so, he is clearly a prospect worth that effort.

Julian Hall, New York Red Bulls

Another dual national, though the circumstances are different in this case. Poland have been showing interest in the New York Red Bulls standout, even though Hall has generally stayed committed to American football. If he is passed over in the autumn, could that position begin to shift?

Even putting that to one side, Hall has earned attention on merit alone. He has registered nine goals and four assists in just under 1,600 MLS minutes this season, leaving him behind only San Jose Earthquakes attacker Preston Judd for the most combined goals and assists by an American player. Still only 18, Hall has genuinely broken through in MLS, earned an All-Star selection and now looks due an international opportunity.

The battle for attacking places is intense, especially if Pochettino views Hall as a No. 9. He may also be able to operate out wide, given the comparatively limited depth in the wing positions. Either way, Hall is the sort of player who could make a real contribution in 2030, so it makes sense to start integrating him now.

Zavier Gozo, Real Salt Lake-Crystal Palace

On the subject of attacking quality, Gozo has shown plenty of it. The Real Salt Lake player and soon-to-be Crystal Palace star earned an All-Star place after establishing himself as one of MLS's top performers. He is still only 19.

Able to play either as a winger or as a wing-back, Gozo offers answers to several of Pochettino's questions. That is why he came extremely close to making the World Cup squad despite not having a single cap. Gozo was included on the preliminary list and, although it did not quite come together in time, that alone showed just how near he was.

With that in mind, Gozo looks like an obvious call-up for the autumn. The major issue will be identifying where he best fits into the U.S. system and which players he will be competing against for minutes over the next few years.

Adri Mehmeti, New York Red Bulls

There is a genuine possibility that Mehmeti develops into a midfielder unlike any American football has seen before. His ability to read the game at the age of just 17 is remarkable, which is why it is easy to imagine him becoming a long-term cornerstone of the USMNT midfield.

Could that phase begin soon? Possibly. It would be a big demand to place on a 17-year-old midfielder, but Mehmeti may be capable of meeting the challenges that come with international football. He has been compared to Sergio Busquets and is praised for his capacity to dictate rhythm and keep everything moving. If that carries over to international level, and especially if it does so quickly, he could become a huge asset for the USMNT.

There will be growing pains, and there will be moments when he needs to adapt to the speed of the game, but if the belief is that he can become a foundational player, then those early struggles are worth accepting.

Peyton Miller, New England Revolutions and Luca Bombino, San Diego FC

These two full-backs can be discussed together.

Bombino is 20 and Miller is 18, and both have already established themselves as legitimate MLS starters at left-back. For several years, that role has effectively been a one-man position for the USMNT, led by Antonee Robinson. However, with Robinson turning 29 this week and now carrying a longer injury history, the time has come to think seriously about succession. Based on upside, Bombino and Miller appear to be the most likely heirs.

So expect at least one of them to get an opportunity to stake his claim early in the cycle as the U.S. tries to address an area of need.

Ones to keep an eye on

Beyond the names above, several other young players deserve mention as future USMNT possibilities, although they may first need a little more development before taking that next step.

Cavan Sullivan and Mathis Albert, two of the best attacking prospects American football has produced, are among that group. Sullivan is still battling for minutes with the Philadelphia Union before making his major move to Europe once he turns 18. Albert is already in Europe and appears to be hovering around the Borussia Dortmund first-team picture. History suggests that if Albert does break through at first-team level, a USMNT debut would likely not be far behind.

In goal, Diego Kochen is one to monitor because of his Barcelona upbringing, though he first needs more experience during his loan spell at Lyngby this season. Kochen trained with the USMNT this summer, as did fellow emerging goalkeepers Julian Eyestone and Andrew Rick, who are also worth noting as names to watch.

Finally, keep an eye on Rokas Pukstas, who looks ready to take the next step in Europe after properly making his name in Croatia.