The duo formed by Mauricio Pochettino and Christian Pulisic reunites, now at the training camp of the United States men’s national team, ahead of this month’s friendlies against South Korea and Japan. The key will be the synergy between the two, a crucial aspect if the American team aspires to make an outstanding performance in next summer’s World Cup.
While it doesn’t necessarily imply a break, some disconnection has been perceived.
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Last March, Pulisic dismissed an attempt by Pochettino to substitute him in the match for third place in the Concacaf Nations League. Subsequently, he was absent from the recent Gold Cup, and although USSF sporting director Matt Crocker stated at the time that a collective decision had been made for Pulisic to rest, the public reaction was intense, with figures like Landon Donovan questioning the player’s commitment.
In response, Pulisic revealed in an interview with CBS Sports that he had offered to play in two friendlies prior to the Gold Cup, but Pochettino turned him down. The player admitted to not understanding the decision, despite the fact that the coach explained that he wanted a single team for the entire Gold Cup.
Although Pulisic’s defense is understandable, divulging details of the deliberations about his participation in the Gold Cup was a mistake that bothered Pochettino. The American coach responded by stating that he is the one who decides who plays and when in the USMNT.
When announcing the call-up for the friendlies, Pochettino stated that he had not spoken with Pulisic since the Gold Cup, adding that “I think everything is behind us, everything that happened in the summer, and I think we have to look forward now.”
It remains to be seen how effective this strategy will be if there is no communication.
Success in the World Cup doesn’t solely depend on Pulisic, as several factors must align. The United States needs to resolve the goalkeeping situation, and key players like Sergiño Dest and Antonee Robinson must be in top form. Likewise, the best performance is expected from Tyler Adams and that one of the forwards, such as Folarin Balogun, Ricardo Pepi, Josh Sargent or Haji Wright, reaches their best level.
However, the combination of Pulisic’s talent, creativity, and experience remains crucial for the attack. When Pulisic plays well, the team usually performs at a high level. Scoring goals is the most difficult part of the game, and Pulisic is a vital contributor in that aspect. Pochettino and Pulisic need each other for the team’s success.
Part of what’s at stake between Pulisic and Pochettino is that the American coach is trying to make a cultural change. Pochettino demands total commitment. Pulisic’s decision not to participate in the Gold Cup, despite offering to play in the previous friendlies, sent a different message to Pochettino.USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino y el jugador estrella Christian Pulisic buscarán dejar de lado sus diferencias antes de los próximos amistosos del equipo contra Corea del Sur y Japón.
(Foto de John Dorton/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images)“If you arrive at the camp and want to have a good time, play golf, go to dinner, visit my family, visit my friend, is that the culture we want to create?” Pochettino said in May. “No, no, no, no, no. What we want to do is go to the national team, arrive and be focused and dedicate all my attention and energy to the national team. If we want to be good in a year, we have to think that today is the most important day.”
The adaptation of the players, including Pulisic, to Pochettino’s approach has taken time. Defender Tim Ream admitted after the Gold Cup that it had taken too long. In Tuesday’s press conference, Ream said that, with the arrival of the players, there had still not been a general team meeting to discuss expectations, although the coaches had been talking to the players in individual meetings.
“We will sit down, I’m sure, [on Tuesday] and we will have a discussion,” he said.
“But for us, it’s just the guys who were here during the Gold Cup… We know what the standard should be and what it is in the future, and we just make sure everyone is held accountable, pushes each other, helps each other, and makes sure we all know we’re on the same page, that we’re on the same team.”
Pochettino was a top-level coach for 15 years, with stints at Tottenham, Paris Saint-Germain, and Chelsea, before joining the USMNT. If there is any change, it will depend on Pulisic, because Pochettino will not change his way of being. The American coach has made it clear that no one’s place is guaranteed. Weston McKennie was excluded from the current call-up, and although Pochettino attributed his absence to a lack of rest due to his participation in the Club World Cup, Tim Weah had a similar workload and, nevertheless, was included in this camp.
Relationships between players and coaches can be fluid, going through difficulties. Pulisic’s relationship with former US coach Gregg Berhalter experienced some difficult moments before they both found harmony before the 2022 World Cup, in which Pulisic played a key role in the United States reaching the round of 16.
That could be the case for Pochettino and Pulisic. However, Pulisic and the rest of the team will have to adapt to Pochettino’s methods.
