USMNT: Aggression and Pride in the Gold Cup, Pochettino’s New Era

The Mindset Shift Mauricio Pochettino Seeks in the United States National Team

The main goal is to transform the team’s mindset, focusing on aggressiveness and determination. During their time in California, Missouri, Texas, and Minnesota, the team has experienced a significant cultural shift, seeking to leave behind a conservative attitude and embrace a bolder game. The idea is to foster an aggressive attitude both with and without the ball, as well as towards rivals and criticism. This change was evident in the Gold Cup tournament, where the team showed a greater willingness to take risks and create scoring opportunities.

“I’ve always been a naturally offensive player, but at the same time, the key is to understand the right moment to take that risk and be as unpredictable as possible,” declared Arfsten.

Max Arfsten

The arrival of Tyler Adams to the team has been key in this transformation. Adams highlights the importance of courage and risk-taking in the game, drawing inspiration from figures like Thierry Henry and LeBron James. In the field, Diego Luna embodies creativity and freedom in the game, wearing the number 10 on his back and taking on the responsibility of creating and changing the course of the match. Aggressiveness is also sought in the goal, where coach Toni Jiménez encourages goalkeepers to break the mold and be imposing figures. The team’s attitude is reflected in key moments, such as when Malik Tillman missed a penalty and the team came together to defend him against the rival’s provocations. The goal is to forge a spirit of unity and mutual support, leaving passivity behind and showing greater determination in each match.

The United States selection fell short in the Gold Cup final against Mexico, but the process of changing the mentality is still underway. Coach Pochettino seeks to have soccer in the United States understood from a deeper perspective, where competition and passion are paramount. His goal is for the team to play with the same intensity and dedication that other countries consider a religion, transmitting this mentality to the fans so that they become unconditional supporters. Pochettino seeks to leave a legacy that transcends entertainment, fostering a culture of unity, aggressiveness, and pride in American soccer. The ultimate goal is for fans to fully identify with the team and support it in every match, creating an atmosphere of fervor and passion.

The Argentinian coach, Mauricio Pochettino, has been working with the team for a prolonged period, similar to his time with the Argentinian national team in the 2002 World Cup. This time has been key to strengthening unity and mutual support among the players.

“I thank Diego for making this seem fun again. I’ve only known him for six months, but I absolutely love him,” commented Tim Ream about Diego Luna.

Tim Ream

Pochettino seeks to change the perception of soccer in the United States, where it is often considered entertainment. The coach emphasizes the importance of competition and passion, seeking for the team to play with the same intensity as in other countries, where soccer is a religion.