TAMPA – United States manager Mauricio Pochettino expressed his deep admiration and respect for his mentor, Uruguay coach Marcelo Bielsa. He warned the Americans about the demands of facing the team led by his former coach. The meeting between both strategists will take place at Raymond James Stadium this Tuesday, in a friendly match that promises excitement. The relationship between Pochettino and Bielsa dates back to the former’s childhood, when Bielsa recruited him to join Newell’s Old Boys, in Argentina.
Pochettino expects an intense match, similar to the one Uruguay displayed in the 2024 Copa América, where they defeated the United States 1-0, eliminating the Americans from the tournament. In that match, Uruguay’s physical play set the tone. Pochettino anticipates a complicated match against the Uruguayan national team, which finished in fourth place in the South American qualifiers for the World Cup.Always, my admiration and my respect is massive. I cannot consider him as a friend. I cannot consider him as another normal person. It is a greater respect. I speak with him as a man you admire, he is your hero. He is that type of person you wait to speak to. You always wait for him to greet you and then you greet him.
Mauricio Pochettino
In their recent 2-1 victory over Paraguay, the United States demonstrated greater firmness in physical play. Pochettino was satisfied with the reaction of his players, who defended their interests in an altercation at the end of the match.Tuesday will be a time to enjoy, to be close to him. And at the same time, we are going to suffer because all the teams under Marcelo’s direction are very difficult to face.
Mauricio Pochettino
Pochettino also praised the development of the USMNT’s identity.I think we all feel very proud of the way we acted and behaved, and of course Alex was right because he was defending and caring about the ball, about the action that was for us because the referee said the ball was for the United States, and that shows character and that we care.
Mauricio Pochettino
The match against Uruguay will be the last of 2025 for the United States. Pochettino’s team will play two friendlies in March, probably against Portugal and Belgium, and then two more in late May or early June, before hosting the World Cup at home along with Canada and Mexico next summer.I see that identity is the way we build from the back, and the way we respect the principles of the game. The tactical work in the way we play, in the ability to rotate and how we use space, how we build from the back, how we play in the middle block or when we are in transition to dominate the game in the opposing field.
Mauricio Pochettino
