Pochettino highlights unity in USMNT ahead of Gold Cup semi-final

ST. LOUIS – US national team coach Mauricio Pochettino has praised the bond that is developing between the players and staff, ahead of Wednesday’s Gold Cup semi-final against Guatemala. Pochettino was asked specifically about how the team backed Malik Tillman after he missed a penalty in the quarter-finals against Costa Rica, and he was the subject of some taunts from the Ticos.

That means a lot. It means we are connected, that we care about our teammates.
Mauricio Pochettino

Pochettino added: “We can select 26 players, but then being a team is something different. You can have 26 players who play individually and it’s difficult to have this type of behavior. That’s because they care, because they made an effort, not only on the field, but off it, to try to take care of themselves.” The former Chelsea and PSG coach noted that he sees camaraderie forming even in the team meals, where he feels that everyone is sitting at the same table. That’s what we want. That’s how we feel, how we want to represent our country, and we want to fight for our flag and for our shirt. The United States expects a difficult match against Los Chapines, who defeated Canada in the quarterfinals in a penalty shootout. Guatemala’s lineup includes forward Rubio Rubín, from the USL’s Charleston Battery, who scored the equalizing goal against Canada, and D.C. United defender Aaron Herrera. Rubin had previously represented the United States at the senior level, and was the US Soccer Young Male Athlete of the Year in 2012 before switching to Guatemala in 2022. Herrera played with USMNT midfielder Tyler Adams for the United States in the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup. Adams commented: “It’s always a bit strange obviously when you play with them on the youth national team and then, now, they’re playing for Guatemala, and you’re playing against them in a Gold Cup, but it will be a really unique experience. We know how strong Guatemala is. There’s a reason they’re in the semi-final, so we can’t take the opportunity to play against them for granted. And Rubio Rubin was obviously a high-level player growing up in the national team, so many players admired him as they grew up and yes, he has done very well, so it will be exciting to play against him.” Pochettino said he will decide on Wednesday whether midfielder Johnny Cardoso will be available. Cardoso missed the match against Costa Rica due to an ankle injury, and although he practiced with the team during part of Wednesday’s training session, Pochettino said he still feels some discomfort. It’s an uncomfortable situation, and we have 24 hours to assess and see if [Cardoso] can be available or not. The training session also saw an unidentified drone that appeared to be observing the practice, and USMNT staff tried to find out where it was coming from. A US Soccer spokesperson said that, as of Tuesday afternoon, the drone remained “unidentified”, but that since it was only present during the open part of the practice, it was not a cause for concern.