Mauricio Pochettino

We spoke about it when the transfer window ended.

But the one positive that there is, Pochettino in the past has wanted smaller squads.

Guardiola, I think even Wenger, they've often spoken about having smaller squads, and one of the things they like about it is you can work with a, a tighter group.

Like, those players are getting more minutes in the legs.

Guys, this is crazy.

So Pochettino is putting together his roster for the upcoming exhibitions against Chile, Peru, Canada, and Mexico.

And word leaked out on Wednesday that Christian Pulisic was not on the roster.

Now, I know you're going to say, well, he got hurt against Belgium in the World Cup.

It was pretty good.

And it's like, oh, Christian Pulisic is almost back.

So why is Pochettino leaving him off the roster? Now, if you remember, after the World Cup, and again, I know they got bounced by Belgium and it was ugly, but they got out of the play-in.

They look pretty good.

But as with the result, it was really nice to enjoy a competent performance, both on and off the field.

In potpourri, we'll talk about the youth movement catching everyone's eye on MLS, as well as Mauricio Pochettino and his coaching staff, as we're getting some leaks of the U.S. Men's National Team roster for this extended international window, and it includes a lot of these youth players.

We'll also discuss the exploits of the Kansas City Current as they save a draw against the league's newest high-impact player contracts earner, Barbara Banda and the Orlando Pride.

And before getting the opportunity to discuss seeing some of these intriguing youth players in Kansas City this weekend as the Philadelphia Union come to town.

There's literally no better time than four years out from the next World Cup to do this kind of thing, so that's a good way to look at this.

Uh, Taylor, we're gonna go position by position, uh, of, of the players we're predicting will make Mauricio Pochettino's roster.

Before we get to that, real quick, can we, um, can we sort of, um, playing Guess Who, we're, we're gonna push down some of the names of the, the, the, uh, the players who won't be there because of injuries or other things.

What's, uh...

Total Soccer Show.

Welcome back to USMNT Weekly.

We are predicting Mauricio Pochettino's roster for this four-game stretch through September and October.

Joe, we've reached the point of the discussion where we're gonna talk about right backs.

Nigel Atkins.

He got sacked, and they hired this guy called Mauricio Pochettino, who was unfancied, and they said, "Why are we sacking the guy who's got us back-to-back promotions?" And Pochettino, okay, I know it didn't end gloriously for him at the World Cup, but look at what he's gone on to achieve.

Look at what Southampton then achieved.

They got into Europe.

like he deserves to be there.

But at the same time, I don't know if you saw, but Pochettino did a round table with some journalists over the, I think it was on Labor Day, funnily enough.

Potch, always working.

Yeah,

They get that first move to the Prem for 20, 30 million.

All of a sudden, they're not playing a single minute anymore, and they're wondering what the hell happened.

Despite the noise, despite people saying he's getting these brand deals, despite Pochettino talking about, you know, he needs to slow it down.

He's like, you know what? I've already been through adversity in my career.

Sí, sí, por eso.

O sea, le podemos sumar a la, a la selección porque, eh, Pochettino, mira con todo y que el proyecto funcionó a medias.

Mhm.

Tampoco es que haya tenido un gran mundial Estados Unidos.

Yeah.

Let's go back to Pochettino's latest quote.

I think he definitely had a direct comment at the youth saying, we're watching every move.

I think, at least I'm hoping, there's going to be a bit of a cultural shift.