USMNT Vs South Korea Lineups, Head-to-Head Stats & Predictions For Friendly

The USMNT will be playing South Korea in a friendly match ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The USMNT will no longer play in an official tournament before the World Cup and will play a couple of friendlies starting now until next summer's tournament.

Team USA has notable players back in the squad like Christian Pulisic and Sergino Dest. They will take on a South Korea team that has already qualified for the World Cup. The team consists of star players like Son Heung-min, Lee Kang-in, and Kim Min-jae.

The last time both national teams faced off was in a friendly match in 2014, where the USMNT won 2-0. Both teams are among the best in their respective regions, and it will be a test for both teams.

South Korea has not lost since February 2024, when Jordan defeated them 2-0 in the 2024 Asian Cup Semifinal.

Expected Lineups

USA Men's National Team

• Goalkeeper: Matt Freese
• Defenders: Max Arfsten, Tim Ream, Chris Richards, Sergino Dest
• Midfielders: Luca de la Torre, Tyler Adams, Diego Luna
• Forwards: Christian Pulisic, Josh Sargent, Tim Weah

Christian Pulisic returns ot the U.S. national team and has lots of pressure after deciding to miss the Gold Cup earlier this summer. The AC Milan star will have the opportunity to showcase his importance in the team once again.

Sergino Dest is back in the squad after missing the majority of the 2024-25 season due to an ACL injury. Dest returned to action this year and has earned his way back into the USMNT.

South KoreaNational Team

• Goalkeeper: Jo Hyeonwoo
• Defenders: Seol Young-woo, Kim Min-jae, Byeon Jun-soo, Lee Myung-jae
• Midfielders: Park Yong-woo, Seo Min-woo, Lee Kang-in
• Forwards: Bae Jun-ho, Son Heung-min, Oh Hyeon-gyu

Head-to-Head between the USA and South Korea

The USMNT and South Korea have faced off seven times throughout international football history. The matchups include old tournaments, friendly matches, and a World Cup match.

The USMNT won twice while South Korea won three times; there were two draws as well. The two faced off in the 2002 World Cup, where they drew 1-1 in the group stage.

Previous USA vs South Korea Games

• June 12, 1987: South Korea 1-0 USA (President's Cup 1987)
• August 13, 1989: USA 1-2 South Korea (Friendly)
• March 12, 1994: USA 1-1 South Korea (Friendly)
• December 9, 2001: South Korea 1-0 USA (Friendly)
• January 19, 2002: USA 2-1 South Korea (2002 CONCACAF Gold Cup)
• June 10, 2002: South Korea 1-1 USA (2002 World Cup)
• February 1, 2014: USA 2-0 South Korea (Friendly)

Prediction: USA 1-1 South Korea