'Need to try to convince us' – Mauricio Pochettino on his approach to shaping World Cup squad, USMNT player expectations as in-form Christan Pulisic leads October roster
Pochettino's message to this squad was clear – every player must look in the mirror and ask 'What is expected of me?'
A new term was coined towards the end of Mauricio Pochettino's news conference on Thursday – "Pochismo." It was used to express how the U.S. men's national team coach has his own way of making decisions and, for the purposes of meeting with the media, his own way of explaining them.
"It's a good thing that Pochismo is positive," Pochettino said with a laugh. "It's good that it's used in a positive way."
In the year since taking over as USMNT boss, Pochettino has had his own way of explaining his decisions. There have been times where he's been willing to go in depth. At other times, he's asked for trust. Those decisions, ultimately, rest with Pochettino and his staff, and them alone. Part of Pochismo, then, is understanding that fact and accepting the answer, even if disagreeing.
Pochettino's most recent decisions were announced on Thursday. He had selected a 26-man squad for the upcoming friendlies against Ecuador and Australia. There were a number of talented players named to the squad. There were a few that weren't. Those decisions, Pochettino reminded reporters, were his, and the asked-for explanations, in truth, didn't matter. What matters now is getting the 26-player group together and going from there.
In general, Pochettino's message was clear. He wants every player in the pool to look in the mirror and ask themselves two questions: what is expected of me and what am I going to do to meet those expectations?
"It's difficult to explain, because I think we'd need to spend over an hour doing it," Pochettino said, "but I think in the way that they grow, in the way that I see things, how I feel soccer, for me, it's completely different. I think that is why players need to perform, need to think and need to try to convince us. The players need to think a little bit about what we expect from them.
"That is a different question: what we expect… If players not in the squad call us and say, 'What do you expect from us coach?' that is a different question. I can speak for over an hour, two hours, and we can have videos and everything. But that's different from 'Why am I not here?' That is a different question."
GOAL looks at key takeaways from Pochettino's roster release.
Getty ImagesAdams' absence explained
Many of the absences could be explained. Injuries and form, by and large, cover most of it. Not Tyler Adams, though. He's been in great form with Bournemouth, has been vital for the USMNT and might very well be the captain next summer.
His excusal, though, makes sense.
"He's expecting his wife to have a baby in the next few days," Pochettino said. "That is why he's not here because of that reason. It's a positive reason! It's a good reason, and we hope it's going well. That's why he's not in this in this camp."
All good things then and, in truth, the USMNT will be just fine this time without him. If anything, it's a chance for Pochettino to get a look at other deeper-lying midfielders that could serve as Adams' backup or, perhaps, partner.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportThose not in the squad
Pochettino was asked to explain several notable omissions. He was happy to discuss Adams. The others? Less so. Those players aren't on the squad for soccer reasons. He knows why they weren't called in and, in his opinion, they do too -and he says that's all that matters.
"They are called in because they perform," Pochettino said, "but after, they need to come here to perform, to follow the rules, and to behave in the way that we want that they behave, with all the respect, and try to not only win games, to think and to build something important… It's unbelievable to see how the players behave differently when they know that they are going to play versus when they are not going to play.
"That is the most difficult thing you need to understand: when you maybe want to play, but it's not right. You have to behave in a different way, process that inside yourself and deal with that pain inside. You then need to provide your best and support your teammates, the staff and the national team."
Pochettino was clear that he wasn't shutting the door on anyone. No one's spot is guaranteed – and none are lost, either.
"There aren't too many players in the world [that are guaranteed]," he said. "You can ask me why Messi is not in the roster. This type of player: Maradona, Pele, I don't know, different names. I think we need to respect the players that are here. We never give an explanation [on the omissions] because we respect the players that are here. I talk to the players that are in this roster. But knowing the players that are not with us, what I want to tell you is we are very focused and working so hard to try to build the best roster.
"These names, of course, it's an open system that maybe today they are not here, but maybe they are here in the next month. We always try to bring a combination and create a roster with good balance or with players that I think deserve to be here."
Getty Images SportRobinson's status
There were plenty of new "old" faces named to the team. In total, 15 of the 26 players Pochettino called in were not a part of the September camp. Few, though, are as interesting as Robinson, who rejoins the USMNT for the first time in 2025.
The 2024 U.S. Soccer Player of the Year, Robinson has recently returned for Fulham, playing his first 90-minute game of the season last week against Cambridge. Fulham have, generally, been patient with Robinson, who dealt with injury issued down the stretch last season. Pochettino will be too, even as he turns to him for a vital camp appearance.
"It's a long time that we haven't seen him for different reasons," Pochettino said. "Today, we know that he's an important player for us and it's a moment to bring him in. Of course, we have been talking with his club. We are going to try to manage him in the best way here, but it's important that he can be with us, with the group, and with his teammates. I think you always have to manage this situation.. We are thinking about that in all aspects."
Robinson, of course, has backup. Max Arfsten, who has deputized for him for much of the year, is also in camp and could play minutes on that left-hand side. It remains to be seen how much we'll see of Robinson then, but Pochettino is glad to have him back.
"Antonee is not playing too much, but I think the challenge is to help him to evolve and to start to feel the confidence again and to come back and to play in a regular way with his team," he said. "This is going to be great for us."
ENJOYED THIS STORY?
Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting
GettyPulisic's form
The world doesn't need Pochettino to say it, but he will anyway. If you weren't aware, Christian Pulisic is in ridiculous form.
With four goals and two asissts in five Serie A matches to go with two additional goals in the Coppa Italia, Pulisic is Italy's most in-form player. There's an argument to be made that he's performing as well as any player in the world right now. That, of course, brings a smile to Pochettino's face. He has one hell of a weapon as his disposal.
"Christian is a great player," Pochettino said. "He's a player that has continuity and I think we can say he is the most important player now for the national team that is performing and playing under big pressure. He needs to perform every single week and every single game in a place like Milan and he's doing well.
"We are so happy when he's scoring goals, giving assists and performing. That is what we want, and now is to help him arrive at the World Cup in the best place."
Pulisic, having put the Gold Cup controversy to rest, was fantastic against Japan last month, running the show in that game. Now, he'll be expected to do the same in these two matches as he looks to continue to bridge that good form across the Atlantic.