Not that it automatically means he’ll be successful but winning the press conference. USMNT manager Mauricio Pochettino:“We need to believe we can win. Not win just a game, but to win the World Cup.We want players to arrive on day one thinking big.” pic.twitter.com/WlZrO0JeHY— Tom Bogert (@tombogert) September 13, 2024 USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino on the play style he wants:“We are flexible. We’re a coaching staff that wants to play good football. To convince our fans to join us, the aesthetic is important. We want to play nice football, attacking football.” pic.twitter.com/OBj4JypadR— Tom Bogert (@tombogert) September 13, 2024 Mauricio Pochettino:“The idea is to live here in the USA… but of course, for different reasons we are going to be between Europe and the USA” for watching players.”#USMNT— Jonathan Tannenwald (@thegoalkeeper) September 13, 2024 Mauricio Pochettino's message to the #USMNT players: "You are here to play? No. You are here to compete."That's a winning quote.— Kyle Bonn (@the_bonnfire) September 13, 2024 My first impression of Mauricio Pochettino's opening presser:Wanna make the #USMNT squad? You're gonna have to RUN.He's said it about 3 different times already, and we already knew he demands a high work rate.— Kyle Bonn (@the_bonnfire) September 13, 2024
Poch says he's had discussions with Crocker and JT about adding someone to his staff who his more familiar with the US soccer landscape, and he repeatedly mentions that he's open to that, but it doesn't sound like an immediate, urgent priority. It sounds like he's saying for now there are knowledgeable people already within the federation who can help with that in the short term.
Mauricio Pochettino asked straight out of the gates about his opinion of the last 2 friendlies.He sidestepped it saying everyone has a chance to make the squad.#USMNT https://t.co/7MeilQFAOc— Kyle Bonn (@the_bonnfire) September 13, 2024 “I’m so excited, I’m so happy to be here in the United States.” #USMNT pic.twitter.com/auP5MiCowX— Doug McIntyre (@ByDougMcIntyre) September 13, 2024 "The most important is to create something special, to feel something when you arrive to the national team. Is not because the player come and 'OK, because they call me and we are going to play' - no, we are going to compete. And 'compete' is completely different than to 'play'"— Charles Boehm (@cboehm) September 13, 2024 Poch outright rejects the idea of a "friendly," all NT games are the same he says— scuffed (@scuffedpod) September 13, 2024 “There is no friendly game.When I was with Argentina – World Cup, Copa América or friendly –it was always the same. Go and show you’re the best and win the game for your country with pride because that’s what it means to be competitive.”That’s what’s needed. Go out, give… pic.twitter.com/UXxdQicFhk— Nico Cantor (@Nicocantor1) September 13, 2024
The whole point of bringing in Pochettino and staff is to have completely new eyeballs on the pool. So I have no issue if they don't have an existing US-based coach on the staff who might bias the evaluation. You just need to provide him with the extensive "rolodex" of eligible players as a starting point. Then "vertical integration" with the youth staffs can also begin. I do think there's a little bit of a delusion on these boards that Pochettino will pick a different set of players. I think the more likely scenario is trying to light a fire under the butts of the existing group.
I don't disagree, when I write about an open competition, I'm imagining players realizing, this is a new guy, you will need to earn it. He will know your badge FC, but if you continue to play like ---, like you did the past 13 months, why wouldn't he look at other options too. I think the mere fact that he's legit, will cause guys to straighten up a bit more, this dude played in Europe, played in a WC for Argentina, and has coached some of the best teams in the world, competed at the CL Final level, and to win leagues in France and England. So straightening up should happen, and a little fear that they won't get away w/bull---- self satisfied play, will be in their heads. Will it actually happen? Probably not. As most have said, the bulk of the 11 picks itself, the only real competition when everyone is healthy is at GK, CB, maybe RWF, and maybe Striker, the real competition is for those spots, and for the bench, and the next up for the bench. There will be comp. How much and for what is open to question. I imagine striker is still Balo, Sargent, Wright, Pepi, I just don't know how Poch will list them. I don't know what Poch will decide makes sense for the Right Wing, its been a long time since Weah's been really good at RWF/RW, and he's been hurt or carded out for quite a while. Whose behind him? Who does he lean on as immediate backups at Winger, and at CM, how he orders the disappointing CB's. No idea. The key thing is that he'll be starting over, and there will be presumptions, but if people sit on laurels, they won't keep their positions long.
Right, and like I said, I'm not worried about the motivational aspect so much. But the German players are simply more tactically knowledgeable and adept. So we'll see on the rest.
Watching the PC, Poch really stressed the need to bring competition in and I honestly think that's the biggest issue that the team had once Gregg was rehired. It didn't matter how you were playing for club or country the roles basically never changed... and I do think that effects players
Weah actually won the starting spot at that position at Juventus but then got hurt. If he wins it back he may be a good fit for a coach who values pressing and running.
Sure and some of them have played for Nagglesman before at club level. But I do think he’s a good success case in terms of an elite club coach with complex concepts translating internationally.
I think the biggest thing is he can figure it out. He can see how things go and if he feels the need to supplement with a domestic assistant he can. But you leave that decision to him. I think the core guys will be the same. But you’ll see lots of potential differences around them.
I have a feeling Pochettino is going to be enamored of Brenden Aaronson's work rate, at least at first. Hopefully he can teach Brendo to win a tackle at some point during all that running.
That's the idea, right? Take these hard running guys and teach them some Argentinian tricks and tactics. I'm not even worried about the style of play. It's the damn execution that needs massive improvement.
High work rate players are : Aaronson Adams Pulisic (can be) Robinson Ferreira Sargent Foley May be: Weah Morris (just because I haven't watched enough of him) DLT Anyone I missed? Not enough to fill the team and problems at centerback.