USMNT boss Mauricio Pochettino appears to take swipe at star player as he vows to make major change

Mauricio Pochettino has promised to overhaul the culture and standards within the United States men’s national team at the start of his second stint, in comments that seemed aimed at star Christian Pulisic’s choice to opt out of the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup. "It was difficult to make the roster for the Gold Cup one year before because the mindset was different," Pochettino said Monday during an online question-and-answer session with reporters. "You say, 'If I play, I have not holidays. I cannot arrive fresh for the World Cup.' ... You know now that is bull----." The manager noted that his ultimate objective "is to change this type of idea that are not right." Pulisic, widely regarded as the top player in the American squad, removed himself from selection for the 2025 Gold Cup, citing the necessity of rest following his season with AC Milan and a desire to remain fresh for the 2026 World Cup. He failed to find the net during four World Cup appearances this year, sitting out one group-stage match due to a calf issue before leaving the Americans’ round of 16 defeat to Belgium on July 6 with a fractured right tibia and fibula. Pochettino appeared to hit out at Pulisic's decision to not play in last year's Gold Cup (Getty) After netting 10 goals across his opening 15 matches for AC Milan last term, he went without a goal in 19 subsequent club fixtures after December 28. He has remained an unused substitute in AC Milan’s opening three games of the current campaign. Pochettino succeeded Gregg Berhalter in the fall of 2024 and was handed a four-year agreement in a deal announced last month. The head coach intends to name his squad on September 17 for the initial fixtures of his second tenure, a double window featuring friendlies against Peru (Sept. 26 in Orlando, Florida), Chile (Sept. 29 in St. Louis), Mexico (Oct. 3 in Glendale, Arizona) and Canada (Oct. 6 in St. Paul, Minnesota). In their first competitive fixtures since the World Cup, the Americans play Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals in November. "A new process, new project, new rules, new principles," he said, addressing media from London. "I think that the headline needs to be that (it) is a new start, a fresh start. And I think we need to change habits." "We need to create a group of players that (are) really being professional and compete in the way that we expect that they need to compete," he added. Several players left off the World Cup squad, including midfielders Diego Luna, Tanner Tessmann and Aidan Morris, could earn recalls. Emerging talent like 16-year-old Philadelphia midfielder Cavan Sullivan could also be brought into the team for potential senior debuts. Cavan Sullivan could get his US debut soon (Getty) Others, such as 19-year-old Crystal Palace winger Zavier Gozo, might be left off to grant them time to adapt to new clubs following summer transfers. Pochettino also expressed uncertainty regarding midfielder Sebastian Berhalter and defender Max Arfsten, who transferred to Middlesbrough. Pochettino indicated that prospects might receive national team debuts prior to shifting focus toward the under-23 team, which will be managed by former US defender Steve Cherundolo heading toward the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. He emphasized a "need to be careful" with young players. "You need to (have) confidence. You need to have the trust in yourself and belief that you can perform and do well," he said. "Sometimes if you play well and you are 17, 16 or 18 and you play well and people start to talk, about you are (Lionel) Messi or you are a big star in the world because you do some good things. If after you are confused and you don’t manage well, that can be dangerous for your career and that is what we don’t want. "You only are entitled to talk a little bit out of order if you are Messi, if you win. If you won, you can talk with certain arrogance." Among the attitudes Pochettino intends to alter are those of club coaches who would rather keep their young players back during international breaks. "Sometimes the coaches say no. I have a 17-year-old guy that play in the MLS but when the (under) 19 national team called, say no because they need to rest," Pochettino said. "If (you are) 17, you need to rest, aye yai, yai. We have a big problem." Pochettino has vowed to support Folarin Balogun following his failed move to Everton (Getty) Banks decision pending Augsburg defender Noahkai Banks still hasn’t decided whether to represent the U.S. or Germany. "Noki is still in the same situation that (he) was before the World Cup," Pochettino said. "We are in contact with all the potential duel nationals. I think it’s important for us to see. That is the connection, the human connection, that is so important." Focus on Balogun Pochettino intends to phone striker Folarin Balogun, whose proposed move from Monaco to Everton fell through last week. "I want to know from him what happened but always offering our support," he said. "He’s an important player for us, was an important player in the World Cup and (I) hope that he can find being in Monaco, in another place, his best place to perform."