Defender Mauricio Pochettino criticized the idea United States The men's national team now has “regular players” after its reserves were given amazing 5-1 win over Uruguay Tuesday night marked the first time the U.S. has scored five goals against a World Cup winner or any South American team.
“I don’t want to be negative, no, but I hate, I hate “not ordinary players.” What [does it] I mean?” Pochettino said after the game at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, when asked about the impact of the victory, which did not include several big names. “It's a USA game, it's a national team. Stop with this mindset. Every time we make a starting lineup decision, the U.S. Men's National Team is playing.
“I hate to say that. It's so disrespectful. It's so disrespectful because I think we need to give credit to all the guys… What I really appreciate about the team and the roster and the whole staff is how we're starting to come together and that's the most important thing.”
Heading into the November window, Pochettino did not invite stars such as the Milan player. Christian PulisicCrystal Palace Chris RichardsMarseilles Tim Weahand Bournemouth Tyler Adamswho cared for injuries. High quality midfielder Weston McKenney was also ignored amid changes within Juventus.
Pochettino stressed last week that no place in the 2026 World Cup squad is “safe”. After Tuesday's victory, the coach noted his satisfaction with the progress of the November training camp.
“I'm very, very happy because the reality is much better. [than] what do you think. Much, much better. Before everything was completely different. It was a completely different matter,” said Pochettino, who is now unbeaten in five matches. “Of course, there is still a lot of work ahead, but I think you have to keep believing, keep pushing.”
The last result was the first goal for the national team Alex Freeman, Sebastian Berhalter And Tanner Tessmann. As for Freeman, the son of former NFL player Antonio Freeman, the 21-year-old was named man of the match, ultimately scoring a brace for the USMNT.
“It’s our job, our duty, to see the player’s projection. To do that, we need to give him a chance and see how he performs, how he acts, his character, his mentality,” Pochettino said of Freeman’s growth at international level.
“So happy, so happy because today he scored twice. I think you need to analyze how he plays. He can play as a third centre-back, he can go forward, from the side, into the middle… When he has the ball, the team becomes a kind of switcher.”
Ending 2025 on a high note, Pochettino and his squad will return in 2026 with two friendlies in March. After the spring window, they will begin final preparations for the World Championships in late May/early June, a tournament they will co-host with Mexico And Canada next summer.
