United States men’s national soccer team coach Mauricio Pochettino addressed player dynamics during a press conference, specifically regarding star winger Christian Pulisic’s request to participate in two friendly matches leading up to the Concacaf Gold Cup. Pochettino firmly stated that players cannot dictate training or game plans, emphasizing the importance of adherence to his strategies.
Pulisic, who recently expressed a desire for rest after a demanding season with AC Milan and the national team, acknowledged Pochettino’s decision to exclude him from the friendlies although he admitted confusion over the choice. Pochettino emphasized that while they had initially planned to include Pulisic, the focus is now on the Gold Cup, which he deems a significant tournament.
In the friendlies leading up to the Gold Cup, the U.S. team faced setbacks, suffering defeats of 2-1 to Turkey and 4-0 to Switzerland. This resulted in their first four-game losing streak since 2007. Despite these challenges, Pochettino reassured that he maintains a good rapport with Pulisic and the rest of the squad, underlining the importance of mutual respect between players and coaching staff.
The U.S. squad is dealing with significant absences, including several key players like Weston McKennie, Timothy Weah, and Giovanni Reyna, due to injuries or commitments to the Club World Cup. Team captain Tyler Adams is also uncertain for the Gold Cup opener against Trinidad and Tobago after missing previous training sessions due to a foot injury.
Pochettino’s philosophy centers around coherence and discipline within the team, and he remains hopeful that the current roster can pull through the difficult situation as they prepare for the Gold Cup, setting the stage for their role as co-hosts in the upcoming World Cup next year.