Mauricio Pochettino kicks off a new era for the U.S. men’s national team with a demanding and rigorous training session.
The newly appointed coach, renowned for his stints at Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, and Tottenham, seems to understand the weight of first impressions. His players have shared insights into their initial experiences under his guidance, emphasizing the intensity of their training.
“It’s intense,” stated veteran defender Tim Ream during a press conference on Tuesday, following what he described as one of the longest training sessions with the national team. The atmosphere is markedly different from previous camps.
Left back Antonee “Jedi” Robinson echoed Ream’s sentiments, noting that players from European clubs typically used the first day of camp for recovery. “If you played on Saturday, the sessions were light,” Robinson explained. “Yesterday, we jumped straight into a tough training session.”
Both players were speaking from Austin, Texas, where the U.S. team is preparing to face Panama in a friendly at Q2 Stadium—a highly anticipated debut for Pochettino. The last of the 25-player roster, including star forward Christian Pulisic, joined the squad late Monday after club commitments.
Pochettino’s appointment follows a disappointing performance by the USMNT in the 2024 Copa América. His primary goal is to lead the team to success at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
“Today, he addressed us as a group for the first time, outlining his vision,” Robinson shared. “Before all the players arrived, he took the time to meet with individuals, discussing his approach and getting to know us better.”
The initial meetings have been straightforward. After announcing the roster, Pochettino cautioned against overwhelming the players with new information. Robinson mentioned that tactical discussions have been minimal so far, but with only ten international windows left before the World Cup, urgency is palpable. “He understands we have limited time to grasp his playing principles,” Robinson added.
Pochettino is acutely aware of the significance of results. Under interim coach Mikey Varas, the U.S. faced a loss to Canada and a draw with New Zealand. Now, facing Panama, who previously defeated the USMNT at Copa América, Pochettino’s debut is under scrutiny. Following that, the team will travel to Guadalajara, Mexico, where they have historically struggled, with only one win against El Tri on their turf.
“They want to learn about us, and we want to learn about them,” Ream commented. “The core message is that he aims to win.”
“He has his principles and ideas, but ultimately, it comes down to winning,” Ream concluded. “Adopting this mindset is crucial as we prepare for these matches and beyond.”
