We desperately needed this. The team hasn’t been this low since couva. We need an established adult to sort our out premadinas. Landon would have would have been a grizzled battle hardened vet compared to maybe three people in the current top 25 .literally I dint want to hear about mental toughness with this finesse “golden generation” that needs a kick in the mouth
My favorite part of the article was that I think we can also thank Chelsea for Poch wanting to coach the US National Team. Apparently, several clubs in the EPL reached out to him, but he wanted to coach for somewhere that didn't have dysfunction in ownership. I wonder why?
Jay Berhalter and Earnie Stewart put a strong, stable foundation in place for US Soccer; no doubt it had a strong appeal to Pochettino.
I have been a Charger/Padre fan my whole life and I am positive that "curses" on teams/organizations exist. I don't believe the mystical aspect... just that if the fans/players believe in it that it will manifest on the field. As such, I think you really have to break the chain early when things are snowballing in the wrong direction. And that is where I think the USMNT is at.... They keep finding ways to lose and now it appears that the ball is actually bouncing against them. The 2nd goal against Canada was an extremely lucky bounce (after the Ream gaff)... the CR/AR got together to steal a completely legit goal today and it was followed up my another goof of a goal to take away the win. Belief is a very powerful thing and from the outside things are very dismal.... failing to break out of the group on home soil in Copa and then getting slammed by Canada and the last minute gut-punch against NZ. We never needed a change at the helm more than now and Poch checks all the boxes on paper. Hopefully he is able to get these players playing and THINKING in a positive way.... and in a hurry. Because the negativity is at an unreal high.
oh I know, there takes some sincere culture changes that need to happen quick. Harbaugh is one of those guys that can flip a culture.
So players I want to see get chances now that Poch is here (some who were in camp) Keeper-Schulte, Freese, Celentano Defenders- Fossey, Neal, McKenzie, Trusty, Tolkin, Wiley Midfield-Morris, Tessmann, Maloney, Luna, Bassett Attack-um Yow?
It is kind of scary how bare that list is from an attacking perspective. I guess you could label Luna and Bassett as attackers as Luna plays inverted winger for RSL and Bassett plays the 10 for Colorado when Djordje isn't on the pitch. But pure winger? Not much there right now at U20+. I love your calls for the other positions though. At GK, I would call in Freese for sure. There should be minimal MLS bias for that positon and Freese has been VERY good this season. I love Neal's ability at CB... he is a very good passer. I think he could fit in quickly. Maybe even allow us to play with 3CBs between Richards, McKenzie, Trusty and Neal. Fossey proved himself in his first appearance and Scall has been sub-par for a while now IMO... so I am for new blood at FB. Lund made his case at LB in this window but I think Wiley and Tolkin could push him. I am not a big fan of Maloney... If Morris can continue to step up and Johnny repeats his club performances at Betis this season then I think we are good at DM. I would put Tessmann higher on the list as well. IMO, Maloney does not have the passing capabilities to play that position at the NT level. I would rather the other guys get the reps.
It's worth noting that Pochettino has traditionally played his wingers inside and often puts CM players there, relying on the fullbacks for width and often some vertical stretching. If Pulisic or Weah are out, I don't know that the replacement won't be someone we're used to seeing as a CM more than a winger. Hell, I think maybe Dest could get a look at RW because that would make a decent amount of sense. It works nice for us because we do have a bit of a surplus at CM, though that surplus might get pared away quickly if players don't counterpress -- the defensive skills of the frontline will likely be important. I think the attacking set up today at a very high level was actually some of what we'll see ... but I doubt we see Wright and Pepi as wingers any time soon. Both are miscast in this kind of winger role, though I understand wanting to give them a start. Of course, he could always break with his history. Tough to tell with the pool we have being nowhere near most of his teams. * Also -- that goal we scored today was a VERY Pochettino-era Spursy goal.
I think Bassett is a pressing 10 and I know Colorado fans say he's likely leaving for Europe again in the winter (or he wants to). Luna I put in the midfield but he's probably a wing.
Luna's going to be a wing for Pochettino, I think. Bassett has been playing further back for Colorado. I think his versatility is nice but he needs to show more now. Then again, he has added defense and could play anywhere from the double pivot to the 10 to wing, I think ... I just don't think he's quite there.
It's probably not gonna be like this, but I'm a big proponent that Poch needs to just select 6-8 guys he feels are must haves for the camp and then just cycle in new players. If everybody was healthy I'd probably say that's Pulisic, Wes, Weah, Jedi, Gio, Tyler, and Dest. Dest and Tyler won't be available. Maybe that's a bit too radical, but I do think the team needs to realize that form and commitment matter
He's a bit of a stretch admittedly. I'm more thinking in. This guy runs and is a midfielder. He's behind Aiden, Tessmann, and Maloney to me but I think we just need guys with a pulse
We got the best guy we could, I have no doubt about that. I still think he’s going to look bad until the summer at least. It’s a steep learning curve on both sides, the manager and the players. They’re time together infrequent. I expect a lot of misses with some hits. I’m excited, though. I believe he’ll have the team ready for ‘26.
I don’t think it’s going to look bad till the summer but I also don’t think we’re going to see immediate improvement in October. He’ll have spent like two days with the team before game one and it’ll be his first time around the team. I do hope he keeps January camp as it’ll be a good chance for him to take a long look at some MLS guys to try and determine if they can help him. And that’s probably the part of the pool he’s least familiar with. Crocker also mentioned him using his contacts in Europe to help guys find better club situations. We’ll definitely seem some players at Espanyol if that’s true I imagine.
Just a reminder as we enter into this new era…we have 6 senior matches in the next 8 calendar months.