MARIETTA, Ga. – U.S. Men’s National Team coach Mauricio Pochettino clarified that he has had no discussions with either Tottenham Hotspur or Real Madrid, emphasizing that his primary focus is on the upcoming friendly against Portugal and the World Cup. When asked about the possibility of extending his tenure with the USMNT after the World Cup, he noted, “Never say never. Anything can happen in soccer.”
Considerable Interest from Top Clubs
Pochettino’s name has surfaced in discussions surrounding both clubs, particularly after Tottenham’s recent managerial shakeup that saw Igor Tudor resign. However, he firmly stated there has been no contact. “No, no at this time,” he reiterated during a press conference, underscoring the necessity of staying focused on the World Cup. He believes the commitment to the national team is paramount, and discussions about the future should take a back seat for now.
Commitment to Current Challenges
The former manager of Tottenham and Paris Saint-Germain expressed his uncertainty about future contracts, highlighting that the primary objective is to focus on team improvement ahead of the World Cup. “We’re happy, and the federation is happy,” he explained, suggesting that discussions regarding the future can wait. The immediate goal is to prepare effectively for the upcoming tournament.
Player Updates Before Portugal Match
On the roster front, Pochettino confirmed that midfielder Jonny Cardoso would not participate in the match against Portugal due to persistent foot discomfort. As a result, he has returned to his club, Atletico Madrid. In a more favorable development, defender Chris Richards, who missed the recent 5-2 loss to Belgium due to a knee injury, was confirmed by Crystal Palace to be available for selection. Still, Pochettino stated that Richards would be assessed further on Monday.
Richards Optimistic About Return
Richards is optimistic about his recovery, stating, “I just had a bit of a soreness in my knee after a bad tackle in the last game against Palace. I’ve been training individually all week, so I’ll be able to participate.” His absence in the match against Belgium was acutely felt, and he believes the U.S. defense will soon find its stride, citing a strong performance over the first half of that game.
Learning from Recent Losses
Despite the heavy defeat to Belgium, Richards remains optimistic. “I thought it was a great performance for the first 60 minutes,” he said, emphasizing the need to learn from the tough match. As the team prepares for the World Cup, he feels these experiences are invaluable. “It’s best to learn these lessons now before the World Cup,” he added, highlighting the importance of growth in challenging situations.
Focus on Defensive Improvement
Pochettino recognizes the necessity to maintain the intensity demonstrated in the first half against Belgium, where the score stood at 1-1. “What we need to improve is our defensive strength,” he stressed. While the upcoming match against Portugal is important, he insists that the priority must be on refining the team’s capabilities from one game to the next.
Instilling Fear in Opponents
Richards echoed these sentiments, stating that the U.S. must adopt a more physical style of play to intimidate opponents. “When attackers are afraid of you, it makes your game easier,” he noted. He believes the U.S. has shown moments of toughness but recognizes the need to eliminate soft goals conceded. By enhancing their defensive tenacity, the team can significantly elevate its performance as it prepares to enter World Cup Group D play against Paraguay on June 12 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. The team’s official training base camp has been established at Great Park in Irvine, California.
