Pochettino hands 13 uncapped kids USMNT call-ups as Pulisic, Balogun and McKennie miss out
Pochettino hands 13 uncapped kids USMNT call-ups as Pulisic, Balogun and McKennie miss out
Two years and one World Cup into the job, Mauricio Pochettino is still taking the register. The US men's national team head coach has named a startlingly young squad for the upcoming friendlies against Canada, Mexico, Peru and Chile — a roster featuring 13 uncapped players, including four of the side's five forwards, and two more with just a single senior appearance to their name.
A fact-finding mission that never ended
In the immediate aftermath of the USMNT's 4-1 elimination in the last 16 at this summer's World Cup, Pochettino took the podium for what many assumed would be his final press conference. Asked whether he considered his tenure a success, he offered the usual platitudes — but one line stood out. He said, more or less, that he and his staff had finally gotten a good idea of the player pool.
It read as bizarre at the time. Pochettino had been brought in to win the game he had just lost, not to evaluate talent. Yet here we are, in the shadow of the most disappointing result in US men's history, and the fact-finding continues. Pochettino signed on to stay through 2030 — well, possibly — and on Thursday we learned he is far from done studying the pool.
Teenagers at the forefront
The average age of the newcomers is 19 years and six months. Among the notable exclusions are Christian Pulisic, only recently back on the field for Milan after suffering a leg fracture at the World Cup; Folarin Balogun, who has yet to feature for Monaco this season; and the injured Weston McKennie. None of the three omissions is particularly shocking given the circumstances, but it shifts the leadership burden onto others.
Ricardo Pepi now finds himself shepherding a crew of teenagers up front, while Sebastian Berhalter and Malik Tillman may be tasked with leading the youth revolution in midfield. FC Cincinnati center-back Miles Robinson, at 29, has suddenly become the squad's elder statesman.
Mentality is everything
Pochettino's pointed back-and-forth with 16-year-old new call-up Cavan Sullivan in the media last week was the latest example of a message he has made clear to others — Pulisic among them: mentality is everything. One senses the coach is bringing this group into camp not only to evaluate them as players but as human beings, getting a head start on instilling his preferred values.
His lone quote from the press release accompanying Thursday's announcement says as much:
“This is the beginning of a fresh start for everyone and we are excited in these first matches to bring a group of experienced players along with some young talents who have great potential. It will be important that they all understand our culture, our way of working, and of course the principles of how we want to play. Most importantly, they must show the commitment to representing the country in the way our fans deserve.”
From throwaways to must-watch
Pochettino has taken to calling these games — apologies, “non-official matches” — friendlies, but they promise far more intrigue than the usual post-World Cup fare. For US fans clamoring for fresh blood, that is unquestionably a good thing. And what better way to prove your commitment at 16 than to face Mexico in Phoenix, Arizona?
Pochettino — and the rest of us — are about to learn a whole lot about the USMNT's next generation.