CHESTER, PA. — United States Men's coach Mauricio Pochettino has reiterated his stance that “no one is safe” when it comes to making the World Cup squad and that players in the current squad deserve to be there.
Pochettino said his position also applies to US stars such as Milan attacker Christian Pulisic and also Bournemouth midfielder Tyler Adams. Both are injured and will not be able to participate in friendly matches against Paraguay on Saturday and Uruguay three days later.
Pulisic has only recently recovered from a hamstring injury he suffered last month against Australia during a game which Pochettino described as a “bad luck situation”. Also missing Juventus' Weston McKenney, Crystal Palace's Chris Richards And Bayer Leverkusen's Malik Tillman. But Pochettino has expressed faith in the current 24-player squad.
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“For me these are the players who deserve to be here today and these are the players we want to see, these are the players who are our choice, our choice,” he said. “And then no one will be able to feel safe or no one will be able to feel that it will be [on the roster]even the names you say: Pulisic or Tyler Adams. I think the federation is more than the names that [are in] national team”.
Pochettino added: “It's a great opportunity at the moment when we decide to select another player, to select another player. That player has to show up, come up and say: 'Yes, we also have the opportunity to be part of the squad for the next World Cup.'
As for Pulisic, Pochettino lamented the injury but said the most important aspect is that the player is healthy when the squad is named in May.
“[Pulisic] was perfect when he played against Australia, but it happened and we will see what happened,” he said. “The most important thing is that all the players will arrive in very good shape on the day we are going to start the World Cup, or maybe a little earlier because I need to prepare the squad.”
US defender Tim Rome noted that the final selection of the squad for the World Cup is happening faster than it might seem. He estimates Team USA has just 10 practices left before its World Cup roster is named. This puts the timeline into a different perspective.
“When you talk about length of time, number of days, probably not. [close]but when you talk about the number of games, the number of practices, the number of training camps, [the World Cup] is knocking on our door.”
Rome added that he believes the absences will have a big impact on what the U.S. hopes to achieve in the upcoming friendlies, as well as preparations for them.
“Every player has different goals, but those goals have to be in line with what Mauricio wants and what the staff want, and the guys have the opportunity to come in and impress and potentially help them be part of the team that goes to the World Cup,” he said. “And the guys who are here or were here, it’s the same situation.
“Everyone is in the same boat. You have to constantly earn your place, earn your place and continue to take advantage of opportunities.”
Rome was asked if he sees desperation in the way American players train. He said it was more a case of intense concentration.
“There’s a little more spice in training. There’s intensity, more aggressiveness,” he said. “The guys are doing everything they can to be part of the team and I think as we get closer and closer you see that more and more, which is good.
“The boys are desperate to be part of the group, part of the team and be part of a home World Cup.”
