This is precisely what U.S. Soccer had in mind. They needed a coach with exceptional credentials heading into a home World Cup where only the best would do.
Mauricio Pochettino’s primary challenge in putting together his roster, which will be officially revealed Tuesday afternoon in New York, doesn’t carry the same weight as a major decision made by the previous USMNT manager eligible from Europe. For instance, Pochettino’s choice to leave Tanner Tessmann out of the final training camp in Southern California and the first match doesn’t seem to resonate as much as Jurgen Klinsmann omitting Landon Donovan from Brazil.
Yet, it holds significant implications, especially considering this tournament is framed as crucial for American soccer. Pochettino must get this roster right. There’s no room for error now. While reaching the Round of 16 in 2022 and 2014 was a positive sign, exiting at that stage—or earlier—would feel like a missed chance this summer.
So, it makes sense that Tuesday will not only serve as a reveal of the 26 players burdened with this monumental task but also function as an early evaluation of Pochettino’s vision. At least it will set the tone for the upcoming seven weeks.
By dropping Tessmann—who was seen as a potential starter alongside midfielder Tyler Adams—questions arise about how Pochettino sees the U.S. national team’s potential. This roster might involve a constant tug-of-war between showcasing the most talented individuals and ensuring cohesive team play.
People often recite the mantra of wanting the best team rather than just the best players. Putting that theory into practice can be complicated.
For instance, with Tessmann out, Pochettino could position Weston McKennie next to Adams and possibly utilize an attacker like Malik Tillman—perhaps a starting eleven that normally wouldn’t be included. However, shifting McKennie from his attacking role would be a considerable compromise for both him and the coach. Cristian Roldan and Sebastian Berhalter weren’t in many forecasts before the roster leak, but their inclusion suggests Pochettino expects them to play substantial minutes.
A similar situation arises on the right side. There’s a solid case for including Sergiño Dest, Alex Freeman, and Timothy Weah among the top eleven. It’s conceivable to field all three at once. But does that leave the U.S. vulnerable defensively? That might be the case.
The choices made in one area can impact others.
This is what Pochettino is contending with. Once he faces questions on Tuesday, we can begin to dissect his reasoning.
If Gregg Berhalter, known for his work with the Columbus Crew before taking over the USMNT, had chosen Joe Scully and Alejandro Zendejas over Tessmann and Diego Luna, he would have faced considerable backlash. While some opinions about Pochettino exist, he generally enjoys a level of trust that comes from his extensive experience in more competitive leagues.
U.S. Soccer invested over $5 million in Pochettino during his first seven months, as revealed in tax filings from March. He has a responsibility to clarify his choices, but he’s also here to make his mark.
This roster and the decision for it to represent the USMNT in the World Cup? That’s his prerogative now.
