Pochettino: Focused, No…

MARIETTA, Georgia – United States manager Mauricio Pochettino stated he has not engaged in conversations with either Tottenham Hotspur or Real Madrid, emphasizing that his current focus lies on Tuesday’s friendly against Portugal and the upcoming World Cup.

When asked if he was considering an extension as USMNT manager beyond the World Cup, Pochettino remarked, “Never say never. In football, anything can happen.”

Pochettino has recently been associated with both clubs, especially following Tottenham’s manager Igor Tudor’s departure on Sunday; however, he was clear when responding to queries about potential contact.

“No. Not at this moment,” he stated during a Monday press conference. “We are extremely focused on the World Cup. Everyone knows I am committed to the national team right now. It’s not the time to discuss the future.”

The former manager of Tottenham and Paris Saint-Germain continued, “Who knows what will happen? As I’ve said, we are open and have no contracts for the future. But if we’re happy and the federation is happy, we will see. The priority now is to focus on Tuesday and the World Cup, aiming to improve.”

“Our goal is to enhance the team. Sure, the rumors exist, but that’s part of our business, and we accept it.”

Regarding the team’s lineup, Pochettino confirmed that midfielder Johnny Cardoso will miss the match against Portugal and return to Atlético Madrid due to ongoing discomfort in his leg.

Defender Chris Richards, who missed Saturday’s 5-2 loss to Belgium due to knee soreness, stated he will be available for Tuesday’s match, although Pochettino mentioned he would undergo further evaluation later that day.

“I’m doing well. I had a bad tackle in my previous game with Palace, resulting in some knee pain. However, I’ve trained individually all week and I’m ready for Tuesday,” Richards said before the Monday training session. “The team definitely felt my absence in the loss to Belgium, missing my leadership and positioning. Despite the heavy scoreline, I believe we weren’t far off from the level of performance we need. Our strong first half provides a glimpse of our potential.”

“It’s a game of two halves, but I believe our first 60 minutes were strong. The second half had its challenges, but Belgium is a top-tier team. Playing against such opponents is crucial, especially since we haven’t had many opportunities due to World Cup qualifiers. It’s best to learn these lessons now before the World Cup rather than facing them during the tournament.”

Pochettino stressed that the crucial aspect is to maintain the level of intensity demonstrated in the first half of Saturday’s game, which ended in a 1-1 draw.

“We need to sustain that type of performance. Our defensive intensity must improve,” Pochettino commented. “But the key focus is not solely on Portugal; it’s about enhancing our performance from one match to the next.”

Richards emphasized the need for the U.S. team to play with greater physicality and instill fear in opponents defensively.

“Great defenders are those who seem willing to run through a brick wall. I believe we can add that toughness to our game,” Richards stated. “There were moments when we allowed some soft goals, so enhancing our toughness is essential. If attackers feel intimidated, it can simplify our game.”

The U.S. kicks off Group D play at the World Cup against Paraguay on June 12 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. U.S. Soccer has designated Great Park in Irvine, California, as its official training base for the World Cup.