Pochettino Emphasizes Competition for World Cup Roster

CHESTER, Penn. – Mauricio Pochettino, head coach of the United States men’s national soccer team, reiterated the competitive nature of roster selection for the World Cup, asserting that “no one can feel safe” regarding their place on the team. He emphasized that the current squad has earned their positions.

Pochettino’s remarks extend to prominent players such as Christian Pulisic of AC Milan and Tyler Adams of Bournemouth, both of whom are currently sidelined due to injuries and will miss upcoming friendlies against Paraguay and Uruguay.

Pulisic has recently recovered from a hamstring injury sustained during a match against Australia, which Pochettino described as a “bad luck situation.” Other notable absentees include Weston McKennie (Juventus), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace), and Malik Tillman (Bayer Leverkusen). Despite these injuries, Pochettino expressed confidence in the abilities of the current 24-player roster.

“These are the players that today deserve to be here, and they are our selection,” he stated. “No player, including Pulisic or Tyler Adams, can assume they are guaranteed a place on the roster. The federation’s goals transcend individual names on the national team.”

Pochettino also noted that the opportunity arises for other players to step up and demonstrate their worth for the World Cup selection.

Regarding Pulisic’s situation, he acknowledged the unfortunate timing of the injury but stressed that the priority is for all players to be fit when the roster is finalized in May. “The most important thing is that all the players arrive in optimal condition when we start the World Cup preparation, or even a bit earlier, to finalize the roster,” he remarked.

U.S. defender Tim Ream highlighted the urgency of the upcoming World Cup roster announcement, estimating that the team has only ten training sessions left before the selection is made. “While it may not seem close in terms of days, when you consider the number of games and training sessions, the World Cup is rapidly approaching,” Ream stated.

Ream added that the absences of key players will not alter the team’s objectives in the forthcoming friendlies and training sessions. “Each player has their own goals, but they must align with what Pochettino and the coaching staff envision. This presents opportunities for players to impress and potentially secure their place in the World Cup squad,” he explained.

When asked about the intensity of training among the players, Ream noted a heightened focus rather than desperation. “There’s a noticeable increase in intensity and aggressiveness during practices. Players are doing everything possible to earn their place on the team, and as we get closer to the World Cup, this becomes increasingly evident, which is a positive sign.”

“Everyone is eager to be part of the squad that competes in a World Cup held in our home country,” he concluded.