Mauricio Pochettino defends ‘harsh’ USMNT squad announcement
The Argentine coach informed the omitted players via email as USMNT are preparing for their World Cup opener against Paraguay on June 13
Mauricio Pochettino has been at the receiving end of criticism after it was revealed that the United States men’s national team players who missed out on the World Cup were informed of his decision via email.
The 55-player provisional squad was reduced to a 26-man roster which was unveiled on Tuesday, with the selected players receiving a video message from the Argentine coach himself.
After taking many by surprise with that approach, Pochettino explained why he had no plans to directly contact the omitted national team footballers.
“What am I going to tell a player?” Pochettino said. “Am I supposed to lie? I am going to say that another player is on the roster because today, in this period, he is a better option.
“I am not going to say that he is a better player or that you cannot make the roster in the future.
“There are 55 players on the provisional roster – and now I need to call [all of the players who didn’t make it?] Do I need to do that in March? In January camp? That is not the way.”
USMNT veteran slams Pochettino
Former USMNT player Herculez Gomez didn’t hesitate to call Pochettino’s approach “diabolical”, explaining why players such as Diego Luna should have been contacted by his coach after being dropped.
“This is a harsh, harsh way to treat players that have for better or worse given their blood and sweat,” Gomez said.
“Diego Luna was the second-most capped player on this team. And you mean to tell me you didn’t even pick up the phone and speak to him?
“You look and there’s World Cup commercials of him playing the World Cup final versus Brazil. You had no problem milking him for the marketing dollars and the least he deserved was an explanation.”
The USMNT are set to play friendly games against Senegal and Germany before kicking off this summer’s major tournament with a Group D duel against Paraguay on June 13.
Full USMNT 2026 World Cup roster
Goalkeepers: Chris Brady (Chicago Fire), Matt Freese (New York City FC), Matt Turner (New England Revolution).
Defenders: Max Arfsten (Columbus Crew), Sergiño Dest (PSV Eindhoven), Alex Freeman (Villarreal), Mark McKenzie (Toulouse), Tim Ream (Charlotte FC), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace), Antonee Robinson (Fulham), Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati), Joe Scally (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Auston Trusty (Celtic).
Midfielders: Tyler Adams (Bournemouth), Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps), Weston McKennie (Juventus), Gio Reyna (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders), Malik Tillman (Bayer Leverkusen).
Forwards: Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United), Folarin Balogun (Monaco), Ricardo Pepi (PSV Eindhoven), Christian Pulisic (Milan), Tim Weah (Marseille), Haji Wright (Coventry City), Alejandro Zendejas (Club América).
