As the U.S. Men’s National Team prepares for a pivotal October training camp ahead of matches against Ecuador and Australia, head coach Mauricio Pochettino struck an excited but focused tone. Speaking from Austin, where the group convenes October 4, Pochettino emphasized both the thrill of gathering a squad so close to the 2026 World Cup and the hard-edged standards required to earn a place in it.
“It’s always exciting to have a roster,” Pochettino said at the outset. “Every camp is different, but when you’ve been away for a while, you are desperate to be with the players, to start working, to talk, to prepare. The World Cup is a dream that will come true in a few months, and every camp makes it feel real.”
No Tyler Adams, but for the Best of Reasons
One of the first questions concerned midfielder Tyler Adams, who was not included in this camp. Pochettino confirmed the absence was a happy one. Adams is expecting his first child with his partner and has remained home for the birth. “It’s a positive reason, a good reason,” Pochettino said. “I hope everything goes well.”
Building Toward a World Cup Roster
Reporters pressed the coach on whether this 26-man squad is starting to resemble the eventual World Cup roster. Pochettino was cautious, making clear that no one is guaranteed a spot.
“It is not because of your name or what you did in the past that you have a place in the World Cup roster,” he said. “We have been fighting the last year to change that culture. Players understand now: every camp is a chance to prove yourself again.”
He underscored that principle by pointing to the club form of Christian Pulisic. “Christian is performing at Milan every week under big pressure. He is scoring goals, giving assists, and that is what we want,” Pochettino said. “Of course, he is a very important player for us. But the challenge is to help him arrive at the World Cup in the best place possible.”
Merit, Form, and Fitness
Asked about bringing back Weston McKennie, Tanner Tessmann, and Aidan Morris, Pochettino framed their inclusion as the result of consistent club performances. McKennie had just played a full 90 minutes for Juventus in the Champions League, while Tessmann (Lyon) and Morris (Middlesbrough) have been logging steady minutes.
“The important thing is to prepare not only for these two games, but for a tournament like the World Cup where you play every three or four days,” he explained. “We need 26 players who can perform at that rhythm. That is why continuity at the club level is so important.”
That philosophy extends to veterans and youngsters alike. Antonee Robinson, U.S. Soccer’s 2024 Male Player of the Year, returns after nearly a year sidelined by injury. Pochettino said his integration will be carefully managed with input from Fulham, but stressed the value of having him in camp. “Sometimes changing the environment helps the player gain confidence again,” he said.
Respect for the Roster
One of the sharper exchanges came when asked why players like Yunus Musah or Joe Scally were not selected. Pochettino bristled at the idea of publicly justifying absences. “We never give explanations to players we do not call,” he said. “We must respect the 26 who are here. This is an open system — players not here today may be here tomorrow, and those here today may not be in the next camp. But we talk about the ones who are present.”
His reasoning ties back to a philosophy he repeated throughout the press conference: performance speaks louder than explanations. “In my world, explanations are not positive,” he said. “If you are playing well for your club, we will see it and you will be called. If you are not, you must be desperate to improve. That is the sport.”
Competition in Attack
Pochettino expressed confidence in his striking options, which include Folarin Balogun, Haji Wright, and Patrick Agyemang. Each brings a different profile. “Haji is scoring goals in England, Balogun plays regularly for Monaco, and Agyemang gives us characteristics different from both,” Pochettino said. “That variety is important.”
He also praised midfielder Diego Luna, who has featured in 13 of the USMNT’s 14 matches this year, as well as newcomers who continue to push their way into the pool.
Character Counts
Perhaps the most telling comments came when Pochettino spoke about Cristian Roldan, who was a late call-up last month and is back again. “Christian is a good example,” the coach said. “I didn’t know him before, but when we brought him, we saw how he behaved with the group. Whether he played or not, he showed character and personality. That is what we want. If you behave this way and perform, the national team will always be open for you.”
Pochettino stressed that how players act when they are not on the field is as important as what they do when selected. “You cannot behave differently because you are not starting,” he said. “You may feel the pain inside, but outside you must support your teammates and the staff. That is the culture we are building.”
Tactical Flexibility
On the tactical front, Pochettino kept his cards close to his chest but acknowledged that the roster allows multiple systems. With only one natural right back in Alex Freeman, the coach noted that others, such as McKennie or even Antonee Robinson, could fill wide roles depending on the shape. “We can adapt the team in different ways,” he said. “The important thing is to have players who provide different possibilities to play.”
The Big Picture
Ultimately, Pochettino’s press conference revealed a coach who is both excited and demanding, unwilling to hand out roster spots on reputation alone. His emphasis on club form, fitness, character, and flexibility sets a clear tone heading into October’s matches.
The USMNT faces Ecuador on October 10 in Austin and Australia on October 14 in Commerce City. For players on the bubble, the message was unmistakable: nothing is guaranteed, and every camp is a chance to prove yourself anew.
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