I don't know, the mental side of the game is so strong, positively and negatively, at times and needs to be completely conquered in order to make an effective run toward the top. "Motivation" is only one of several attributes governing the good or the bad of the mentality factor.
Agreed and Morris. Gio could gain too if he learns the work rate and how to apply it, Poch just might be able to help him with club in addition to the USMNT. Also, Poch was a CB....we need all the help the team can get there.
I think Pulisic's work rate off the ball has improved a lot over the last 3 years or so. I expect Gio's will as well. Sometimes young players don't see their own shortcomings very accurately ("I AM running!"). But I assume that in the end Poch won't put the 11 highest work rate players on the pitch.
I think Gio and Tillman are in the same boat WRT the way they play and how they may have to change to fit into Poch's team. They are both so talented that sometimes it looks like they are not trying very hard.... but sometimes I think it is actually the reality. At least Tillman can go right back to PSV to make his case.... but I think if we can get both on board w/ Poch's style then we could build the O around them and CP.
A good proxy might also be Biesla’s time with Chile. Someone who himself is very influential on Pochettino and with lots of stylistic similarities in terms of how their teams like to play. And while those Chile teams had good players they weren’t on the level of some of the elite teams in the world. Biesla only got as far as the round of 16 in the World Cup (going to Brazil), but he definitely helped set the stage for some of the later success that was to come.
how do you think sargent is going to fit into the nt if this "injured" every intl window/playing every weekend situation continues? ultimately its on josh, right? norwich cant turn down calls and everyone knows whats going on. its sarge prioritizing his club career...so does poch even bother?
I wonder if Poch will use Ream as a resource of information about the team. Ream is the most experienced player, and at a playing level higher than many of his teammates, and someone Poch is familiar with from his time in the Prem.
One interesting detail there is he says that we already have some great teams lined up for friendlies leading up to the World Cup that we haven't been able to announce yet. Although he seems to be suggesting that at least some of the opponents (or the announcements?) are contingent on those teams qualifying for the World Cup, so he might be talking pretty far into the cycle here. But either way he makes a good point that other nations really want to get experience playing in the United States prior to the World Cup so we'll have some attractive options when teams are available.
Asia has a two tiered qualifying format where 6 teams will qualify over the summer and the final 2 will have to play in the fall. That could be who he's referring to
The other interesting thing is when asked about the Berhalter rehire he pointed to the fact that they had major fiscal at the time which have since been resolved. I believe in addition to Crocker he was fairly new at that point as he came in right before the World Cup. I haven’t listened to it yet but Batson also went on Twellman’s podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podca...ricio-pochettino/id1696346528?i=1000669916367
South America also finishes up qualifying September 2025 so a team like Argentina would be available in October and November of next year and won’t have a ton of options outside playing us or another South American team.
Twellman's podcast with JT was interesting. While he doesn't outwardly say anything about Gregg, comments in the podcast make it sound like he wasn't too thrilled with the process to bring him back.
It definitely seemed like a circumstance where you had a bunch of the top decision makers who were new, not a lot of great alternatives, and a player pool who wanted him back. So they just gave the players what they want when they would have preferred an alternative. It also could have been that they were also lukewarm on Marsch.
See. Coaches don’t usually judge based off previous coaches. They try to project under their own philosophy. This is a good answer. 1836801107537895472 is not a valid tweet id
I appreciate his coming in and being open to players across the spectrum. I think any new coach should take a look around and make his own decisions and I have no doubt he will do so. He referenced players not yet in the pool and also MLS. If players get the message they cannot rest on past accomplishments, that alone is an approach that I find encouraging.