Mexico coach Javier Aguirre, right, watches players work out during a training session in September. (Omar Vega / Getty Images)
The road back could be more difficult for the U.S., which is why Pochettino, who has never coached above the club level, was reportedly offered one of the richest contracts in international soccer to take the job.
After winning 17 games in back-to-back seasons under Gregg Berhalter, the team’s progress stalled, in part because of injuries to key players. Midfielder Tyler Adams, the U.S. captain, has played 90 minutes for the national team just once since Qatar while injuries have limited defender Sergiño Dest to just one international appearance this year.
Goalkeeper Matt Turner, brilliant in the last World Cup, has left Nottingham Forest, where he was a starter, for Crystal Palace, where he figures to be a backup, and less than half the players who were on the team in Qatar were called up during the current international window.
The move has exposed the shallow depth of the U.S. player pool while the loss to Canada exposed even more issues that need to be corrected.
“I love those guys, but the mentality to fight and to run, and to sacrifice. I can’t do that for them,” said Varas, who will reportedly leave the USMNT program after Tuesday’s game to coach the MLS expansion team in San Diego. “That’s on them.“
So add fixing the mentality to Pochettino’s expanding “to do” list, one which already includes building an identity and style of play. Not long ago, supporters were imagining a roster led by Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Gio Reyna, Adams and Dest taking the U.S. to the World Cup quarterfinals, if not further.
That now feels like wishful thinking.
But not for Canada. Marsch, a Wisconsin native who was once in line for the U.S. job, took the Canadian one in May, two months before Berhalter was fired. And Marsch says he has no regrets.
Canada coach Jesse Marsch signals to his players during a Copa América quarterfinal match against Venezuela on July 5. (Tony Gutierrez / Associated Press)
“I’d rather coach our team right now, 100% no questions asked,” the former Chivas USA midfielder said. “You can see the mentality that has been developed. You can see the way this team plays. You can see how much they love playing for the national team.”
It’s a golden generation led by Mallorca’s Cyle Larin, Lille’s Jonathan David and Bayern Munich winger Alphonso Davies, who is just 23 and already a two-time CONCACAF player of the year. “They’re willing to put their careers and lives and the way they play on the line to be the best they can be for each other and for the team,” Marsch said. “That’s all you can ask for as a coach.”
Well, that and a chance to coach your team to World Cup wins at home. And right now Marsch and Canada are better positioned to do that than either of their North American co-hosts.
⚽ You have read the latest installment of On Soccer with Kevin Baxter. The weekly column takes you behind the scenes and shines a spotlight on unique stories. Listen to Baxter on this week’s episode of the “Corner of the Galaxy” podcast.
This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
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Publish date : 2024-09-10 00:00:00
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