Takeaways from Mauricio Pochettino’s USMNT vs. Belgium press conference

The United States men’s national team is one day out from its match against Belgium, the first of two friendlies at Mercedes-Benz Stadium over the coming days.

Or maybe they should be called ‘non-official’ games.

“For me, it’s better, because ‘friendly’ is to play with friends, a group of friends against another group of friends. ‘Non-official’ is when it’s a competitive game,” USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino said. “For me, they are not friendly games because friendly games are when you don’t really compete … we need to compete because we need to create good habits.”

Perhaps that’s another topic for another time. For now, here are some takeaways from Pochettino’s matchday -1 press conference at the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground.

A cool moment beforehand

Before things got underway with the press conference, Pochettino reflected on his relationship with Tata Martino as the Atlanta United manager stood beside him, with the two later exchanging jerseys.

Pochettino played with and later for Martino at Newell’s Old Boys in the early to mid-1990s after coming through the club’s academy system.

“He’s one of my heroes,” Pochettino said. “When I made my debut with Newell’s Old Boys, he was the captain, and I learned a lot of things, too many things. The player I was afterwards and the coach that I am is (because of him).”

Center back depth has taken a hit

The USMNT will be thin at centerback against Belgium. Miles Robinson has what Pochettino termed a “minor” groin injury and will miss both matches. Also out against Belgium is Chris Richards, who reported to camp with “some problems in his knee” on Monday, was able to train Tuesday but couldn’t complete Wednesday’s session. He will be evaluated further to determine his status for the Portugal match. With Robinson and Richards out, Joe Scally or Tanner Tessmann could be featured.

“We need to see all the options that we can have because situations (like this) can happen,” Pochettino said.

Who will we see on Saturday?

As many players as possible. Under updates to the Laws of the Game approved in February, teams are now permitted to make at least eight substitutions in friendlies, up from six. If both teams agree, that number could be as high as 11; that will be the case against Belgium. (It’s to be determined against Portugal)

Expect Pochettino to use as many substitutes as possible as he takes a closer look at his roster.

“We are going to use all the players in the two games. The good thing that we have 11 changes that we can do, and we’ll see. It depends on the situation of the game.”

Our coverage of USMNT vs. Belgium

“High” competition among the midfield

A total of eight midfielders are part of the March camp. Players like Cristian Roldan, Tyler Adams (out due to injury), and Weston McKennie are all but written in pen for the final roster this summer. For others, like Gio Reyna, Sebastian Berhalter, and Tanner Tessman, it will be more of a fight.

Pochettino brought up some of the most talented midfielders of all time —Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets for Barcelona, and Luka Modric and Casemiro for Real Madrid — to highlight the importance of the position, adding that it will be a big job for him to select who’ll be headed to the tournament.

“Every time that a team works, it’s because the midfielders are good,” Pochettino said. ‘”The competition is high, and it’s going to be tough to pick the right players for the final roster. I am suffering two months in advance.”

“Why not us?”

If nothing, Pochettino has brought a high measure of confidence to the USMNT. That said, he understands where the U.S. has found itself in the pecking order of world football.

That hasn’t dampened his feelings about how far he feels his group can go.

“Because we are American,” he responded when asked why the USMNT should be looked at as a serious contender this summer. “One thing that I (said) the other day is, why not us? Why not us? Why not us? We need to really believe that we can be there. We need to dream because dreams inspire reality.”

The team’s role is to provide the “right energy” and “emotion” in order to ignite that belief within the fanbase, he added.

“I am here because I believe that we can win. And what I can tell to the (fans) is really believe,” he said. “The most important is that we believe that we can perform and compete, and for sure, that we can earn what we want.”