EAST HARTFORD, Conn. — Not for the first time, U.S. men’s national team head coach Mauricio Pochettino arrived at a post-match press conference after a loss, this time a 2-1 defeat against Turkiye in the first of two friendlies that will precede the Gold Cup. There was one thing he was relieved about, though.
“We need to be positive because today, I think only we can talk about football action, soccer action,” he said.
His statement set the tone for his reflections during the press conference, which carried the weight of the team’s uninspiring performances at the Concacaf Nations League finals earlier this year. Competitive edge was the prominent topic during those matches rather than the tactical identity for which Pochettino was appointed. However, this time, signs of his vision were apparent as the team executed an aggressive press and high line, dominating possession and outshooting the opponent 13 to 11.
Pochettino’s challenge lay in shaping an inexperienced roster, where only six players had over 30 international appearances. This friendly marked the start of what hopes to be a successful month leading to the Gold Cup.
“The players are [at] different levels across fitness and experience, which makes building chemistry challenging,” said Pochettino.
Jack McGlynn scored just two minutes into the match, showcasing their ability to implement the new strategies.
The game plan involved players such as Diego Luna and Malik Tillman controlling the midfield, which allowed them space to transition effectively. Pochettino expressed optimism about the team’s potential, saying, “We control possession, control the game.”
However, the USMNT also faced challenges, particularly on defense, as two goals came from avoidable mistakes. Turkiye’s head coach, Vincenzo Montella, acknowledged their early intent to change the pressing approach that eventually broke through the USMNT defense.
“In this type of competition, experience is crucial. That is why these two weeks are vital for the preparations for the Gold Cup.”
Moving forward, the team must refine its attack led by forward Patrick Agyemang, who although registered more shots than Turkiye, managed only three on target out of thirteen attempts.
“We set the standard high. Today, in a friendly game, we can experiment more but need to feel comfortable taking risks to execute effectively in actual competition,” Adams noted.
