Mauricio Pochettino named his first team as coach of the men’s national football team on Wednesday. And in many ways, it was little different from previous lists.
It’s a little older, with 25 players averaging just over 25, and a little more experienced, with 17 of the 21 outfield players reporting to camp this weekend with at least 12 international caps. . And some familiar faces return too, with goalkeeper Zach Steffen being called up for the first time since March 2023 and midfielder Gianluca Busio returning for the first time since the 2023 Gold Cup.
Among the missing are midfielders Tyler Adams and Gio Reynacentral defenders Chris Richards and Cameron Carter-Vickers and right-back Sergiño Dest, all of whom are suffering from injuries. But striker Tim Weah, midfielder Weston McKennie and defender Antonee Robinson are all back after missing September friendlies.
The biggest difference is the coach. Pochettino, the former Tottenham and Chelsea manager, was chosen to replace Gregg Berhalter as coach last month and will lead the United States for the first time when they face Panama on October 12 in Austin, Texas , and Mexico three days later in Guadalajara.
Pochettino, who has never coached a national team before, said he plans to keep things basic in his first training camp to avoid the information overload that has hampered past sides. USMNT.
“The most important thing is to be simple. So as not to create too many complications,” he said. “We will settle the principles. Build the relationship first. We will create a relationship on the ground. It’s important.
“We are going to be very simple, very clear in our ideas and our concepts.”
Pochettino’s arrival in the United States was delayed both by problems with immigration formalities and by Hurricane Helene. But he said he expects to arrive Saturday and preside over his first practice Monday in Austin.
Pochettino said the only player he has spoken to is Robinson, and that happened largely by chance when he bumped into the defender and his Fulham teammates in a restaurant in London.
“The decision (was) not to go to any players because we didn’t want to create anything bad between them,” he said. “Now the opportunity will be to meet them and talk in an individual and quality way.”
As for his game strategy, Pochettino said the most important thing was to find the right balance.
“Of course we have players who can score,” he said. “I’m excited to see them in action. We will, from the beginning, (try) not to create too much. We will try to play two systems, a 4-2-3-1 and a 4-3-3 and from there develop our way of playing.
But his goal isn’t just to create a winning team. He also wants to have a team that is pleasant to watch.
“Football should be an exciting game for American (fans),” he said. “They have to enjoy every time they go to the stadium.”
The list
Goalkeepers: Ethan Horvath (Cardiff City), Patrick Schulte (Columbus Crew), Zack Steffen (Colorado Rapids), Matt Turner (Crystal Palace) Defenders: Marlon Fossey (Standard de Liège), Kristoffer Lund (Palermo), Mark McKenzie (Toulouse), Tim Ream (Charlotte FC), Antonee Robinson (Fulham), Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati), Joe Scally (Borussia Monchengladbach), Auston Trusty ( Celtic) Midfield: Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United), Gianluca Busio (Venice), Johnny Cardoso (Real Betis), Weston McKennie (Juventus), Aidan Morris (Middlesbrough), Yunus Musah (AC Milan), Malik Tillman (PSV Eindhoven) Advantages: Folarin Balogun (Monaco), Ricardo Pepi (PSV Eindhoven), Christian Pulisic (AC Milan), Josh Sargent (Norwich City), Timothy Weah (Juventus), Haji Wright (Coventry City).
