Mauricio Pochettino has signaled a fresh chapter for the United States men's national team, using pointed language to criticize the mentality that led star forward Christian Pulisic to skip the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup last year.
Speaking during an online media session on Monday, the Argentine coach did not hold back when discussing the difficulties of assembling a roster for that tournament, seemingly referencing Pulisic's decision to prioritize rest over international duty. "It was difficult to make the roster for the Gold Cup one year before because the mindset was different," Pochettino said. "You say, 'If I play, I have not holidays. I cannot arrive fresh for the World Cup.' ... You know now that is bull----."
Pulisic, considered the top talent in the American player pool, opted out of last year's Gold Cup, explaining at the time that he needed recovery time following a taxing season with AC Milan and wanted to preserve his fitness for the 2026 World Cup on home soil. That tournament ultimately proved difficult for the winger, who was scoreless across four appearances, missed a group match due to a calf problem, and exited the round-of-16 loss to Belgium on July 6 with a fractured tibia and fibula in his right leg. His club form also dipped, with just one goal in his final 19 matches for Milan after a hot start to the season, and he has yet to feature in three appearances so far this campaign.
Pochettino, who took over from Gregg Berhalter in the fall of 2024 and recently signed a four-year contract extension, made clear that changing the team's culture is now his priority. "A new process, new project, new rules, new principles," he said from London. "I think that the headline needs to be that (it) is a new start, a fresh start. And I think we need to change habits. We need to create a group of players that (are) really being professional and compete in the way that we expect that they need to compete."
The manager will announce his first squad of this second tenure on September 17, ahead of a busy October window that includes friendlies against Peru in Orlando, Chile in St. Louis, Mexico in Glendale, and Canada in St. Paul. The team's first competitive test since the World Cup will come in November's Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals.
Pochettino also hinted that several players excluded from the World Cup squad, such as Diego Luna, Tanner Tessmann, and Aidan Morris, could return to contention. Meanwhile, 16-year-old Philadelphia Union midfielder Cavan Sullivan may be in line for a senior debut, though the coach stressed caution with young talent, drawing a comparison to how prodigies are perceived. "You need to have the trust in yourself and belief that you can perform and do well," he said. "Sometimes if you play well and you are 17, 16 or 18... people start to talk, about you are (Lionel) Messi... You only are entitled to talk a little bit out of order if you are Messi, if you win."
The coach further criticized club-level reluctance to release young players for international duty, citing an unnamed 17-year-old MLS player whose club denied a call-up from the U-19 team for rest purposes. "If (you are) 17, you need to rest, aye yai, yai. We have a big problem," he said.
On other personnel matters, Pochettino confirmed that Augsburg defender Noahkai Banks remains undecided between representing the U.S. or Germany, while defender Max Arfsten's move to Middlesbrough and winger Zavier Gozo's recent transfer to Crystal Palace add uncertainty to squad planning. The coach also said he plans to reach out personally to striker Folarin Balogun after his proposed transfer from Monaco to Everton collapsed, offering his backing. "He's an important player for us, was an important player in the World Cup," Pochettino said.
Based on reporting from The Independent.