A defensive Mauricio Pochettino strongly criticized the notion that the United States men’s national team lacks “regular players” after his alternate lineup achieved a remarkable 5-1 triumph over Uruguay on Tuesday night. This marked a historic achievement, as it was the first time the U.S. had scored five goals against a World Cup champion or any South American team.
“I don’t want to sound negative, but I despise that term, ‘not regular players.’ What does that even mean?” Pochettino remarked post-match at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, when asked about the significance of a win that excluded several prominent figures. “This is the USA playing. It’s the national team. Let’s put an end to that mindset. Every time we make a decision about the starting XI, it is about the U.S. men’s national team.”
“I dislike discussing it this way. It’s incredibly disrespectful. We need to acknowledge all the players. … What I genuinely appreciate about the team, the roster, and the staff is the way we’ve begun to integrate and connect, which is the most crucial aspect.”
In the run-up to the November window, Pochettino opted not to include high-profile stars such as AC Milan’s Christian Pulisic, Crystal Palace’s Chris Richards, Marseille’s Tim Weah, and Bournemouth’s Tyler Adams, all of whom were sidelined by injuries. High-profile midfielder Weston McKennie was also excluded amidst ongoing changes in Juventus.
Pochettino emphasized last week that no roster spot for the upcoming 2026 World Cup is guaranteed. After Tuesday’s victory, the coach expressed his pleasure with how the November camp has progressed.
“I am truly happy because the reality is much brighter than it seems. Much, much better. Previously, it was starkly different,” said Pochettino, who remains unbeaten after five matches. “Of course, a lot of work lies ahead, but it’s about maintaining our belief and continuing to push forward.”
The match also marked the first international goals for Alex Freeman, Sebastian Berhalter, and Tanner Tessmann. Freeman, son of former NFL player Antonio Freeman, earned the title of player of the match, scoring twice for the USMNT.
“It’s our responsibility to evaluate the players’ potential. To do that, we must provide opportunities to see how they perform and what kind of character and mentality they possess,” Pochettino said about Freeman’s development at the international level.
“I’m so pleased, so pleased, because today he scored twice. His style of play is versatile—he can function as a third center-back and venture into attacking positions. … When he has the ball, it brings relief to the team.”
Ending 2025 on a high, Pochettino and his squad will return for two friendlies in March 2026. After the spring window, they will begin final preparations for the World Cup, set for late May and early June, which they will co-host with Mexico and Canada next summer.