📂 Categoría: Football,World Cup | 📅 Fecha: 1776884079
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On June 12, America will expect.
A day after the World Cup begins in Mexico – the first of three countries to host games at this summer’s spectacular – Los Angeles will host the USMNT.
The US begin their World Cup campaign against Paraguay on June 12 at SoFi Stadium, where they will return for the final game in the group against Turkey.
In between that it’s a trip up the Pacific coast to face Australia at Seattle’s Lumen Field.
It’s a tricky group that could equally end with three wins, three draws or three defeats, that’s the fine line Pochettino and his squad are walking.
Brad Friedel, a legend of the USMNT and seasoned former Premier League player, is worried that even if the hosts can successfully navigate their group, they are at risk of falling short in the knockout rounds.
Legendary USMNT goalkeeper sounds World Cup alarm
“I think we’ll get out of the group, but it’ll be hard,” the 82-cap goalkeeper, who played at three World Cups, told talkSPORT.
“Let’s say we get matched up with Spain, Belgium, France… all these teams are better than us individually in any position.
“We have to hope they drop their level a little bit, and that with the crowd, we can play an incredible game.
“Maybe the goalkeeper has a great game and we can win, we can be competitive.
“But we’re not going to outplay these teams, so it’s important that we’re full of spirit, and confidence, by the time the World Cup kicks off.”
Pochettino, perhaps, will have his work cut out to instil the confidence needed to be competitive.
Despite an outing for shiny new jerseys, recent friendlies in March delivered something of a wake up call for the USMNT squad.
Belgium handed out a 5-2 beating that saw Tim Weah suffer a horror show, while a few days later a Portugal team without Cristiano Ronaldo cruised to a 2-0 victory.
Germany and Senegal are up next in May, the final chance for players to impress Pochettino and make the 26-man roster.
And Friedel believes that a few players are crucial to any hopes of success – and not just captain Christian Pulisic.
Brad Friedel names USMNT players to watch at the World Cup
For a team that has been too reliant on 38-year-old Tim Ream, it starts at their back with their most important defender, Crystal Palace’s FA Cup-winner Chris Richards.
“The squad, I think they were on a pretty good level of hope… before this last camp,” Friedel said.
“This last camp threw them a little bit, they played a very good Belgian side and a very good Portuguese side.
“I think a lot of the critics came back out of the woodwork against some individual players.
“This squad selection is going to be really important, Mauricio will have to pick some players that are coming in with confidence.
“With the United States, it’s the same as it’s been all the way back to 1994 for us.
Countdown to the World Cup
“We have a competitive group of players, some very good players, but if our top players aren’t fit and on top form, we’ll struggle to win games.
“It’s really important Chris Richards is fit, he’s so important, and Antonee Robinson at left-back is so important to us.
“Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie, both of them.
“Christian Pulisic has been out of form for many months, so it’s important he finds his form very quickly.
“It’s been good to see (Folarin) Balogun have a good season with his club, but he has to produce that in the World Cup.
“If these players aren’t fit and on form, it will be hard for us.”
Should the US get out of their group, a potential July 4 date in Philadelphia looms as an occasion the entire country could get around.
But the first task at hand is the group stage. Win the group and they’ll stay on the west coast in Santa Clara, come second and they’ll head to Dallas.
The elbow heard around the world
How Tab Ramos’ World Cup dream unravelled in Los Angeles
“I’m laying on the whatever it’s called in the locker room there. I’m laying there with the doctors on top of me and Bora coming over to me and saying, ‘Can you play the second half?’
“And I can’t even answer. And the doctor’s going, ‘No, we’re going right to the hospital from here.’ I do remember that. That is the only thing I remember. … And then the doctor’s telling him, ‘No, he’s out.’
Brian T. Smith’s full conversation with Tab Ramos is available on the talkSPORT World Cup YouTube channel
A third placed finish would open them up to a number of options.
Pochettino will be hoping the final weeks of the season across Europe delivers no major injury scares and allows him to pick the squad he wants.
From then, the pressure cranks up.
Stay up to date with the latest from USMNT across all platforms – follow our dedicated talkSPORT USA Facebook page and subscribe to our talkSPORT USA YouTube channel for all the news, exclusives, interviews and more.
On June 12, America will expect.
A day after the World Cup begins in Mexico – the first of three countries to host games at this summer’s spectacular – Los Angeles will host the USMNT.
The US begin their World Cup campaign against Paraguay on June 12 at SoFi Stadium, where they will return for the final game in the group against Turkey.
In between that it’s a trip up the Pacific coast to face Australia at Seattle’s Lumen Field.
It’s a tricky group that could equally end with three wins, three draws or three defeats, that’s the fine line Pochettino and his squad are walking.
Brad Friedel, a legend of the USMNT and seasoned former Premier League player, is worried that even if the hosts can successfully navigate their group, they are at risk of falling short in the knockout rounds.
Legendary USMNT goalkeeper sounds World Cup alarm
“I think we’ll get out of the group, but it’ll be hard,” the 82-cap goalkeeper, who played at three World Cups, told talkSPORT.
“Let’s say we get matched up with Spain, Belgium, France… all these teams are better than us individually in any position.
“We have to hope they drop their level a little bit, and that with the crowd, we can play an incredible game.
“Maybe the goalkeeper has a great game and we can win, we can be competitive.
“But we’re not going to outplay these teams, so it’s important that we’re full of spirit, and confidence, by the time the World Cup kicks off.”
Pochettino, perhaps, will have his work cut out to instil the confidence needed to be competitive.
Despite an outing for shiny new jerseys, recent friendlies in March delivered something of a wake up call for the USMNT squad.
Belgium handed out a 5-2 beating that saw Tim Weah suffer a horror show, while a few days later a Portugal team without Cristiano Ronaldo cruised to a 2-0 victory.
Germany and Senegal are up next in May, the final chance for players to impress Pochettino and make the 26-man roster.
And Friedel believes that a few players are crucial to any hopes of success – and not just captain Christian Pulisic.
Brad Friedel names USMNT players to watch at the World Cup
For a team that has been too reliant on 38-year-old Tim Ream, it starts at their back with their most important defender, Crystal Palace’s FA Cup-winner Chris Richards.
“The squad, I think they were on a pretty good level of hope… before this last camp,” Friedel said.
“This last camp threw them a little bit, they played a very good Belgian side and a very good Portuguese side.
“I think a lot of the critics came back out of the woodwork against some individual players.
“This squad selection is going to be really important, Mauricio will have to pick some players that are coming in with confidence.
“With the United States, it’s the same as it’s been all the way back to 1994 for us.
Countdown to the World Cup
“We have a competitive group of players, some very good players, but if our top players aren’t fit and on top form, we’ll struggle to win games.
“It’s really important Chris Richards is fit, he’s so important, and Antonee Robinson at left-back is so important to us.
“Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie, both of them.
“Christian Pulisic has been out of form for many months, so it’s important he finds his form very quickly.
“It’s been good to see (Folarin) Balogun have a good season with his club, but he has to produce that in the World Cup.
“If these players aren’t fit and on form, it will be hard for us.”
Should the US get out of their group, a potential July 4 date in Philadelphia looms as an occasion the entire country could get around.
But the first task at hand is the group stage. Win the group and they’ll stay on the west coast in Santa Clara, come second and they’ll head to Dallas.
The elbow heard around the world
How Tab Ramos’ World Cup dream unravelled in Los Angeles
“I’m laying on the whatever it’s called in the locker room there. I’m laying there with the doctors on top of me and Bora coming over to me and saying, ‘Can you play the second half?’
“And I can’t even answer. And the doctor’s going, ‘No, we’re going right to the hospital from here.’ I do remember that. That is the only thing I remember. … And then the doctor’s telling him, ‘No, he’s out.’
Brian T. Smith’s full conversation with Tab Ramos is available on the talkSPORT World Cup YouTube channel
A third placed finish would open them up to a number of options.
Pochettino will be hoping the final weeks of the season across Europe delivers no major injury scares and allows him to pick the squad he wants.
From then, the pressure cranks up.
Stay up to date with the latest from USMNT across all platforms – follow our dedicated talkSPORT USA Facebook page and subscribe to our talkSPORT USA YouTube channel for all the news, exclusives, interviews and more.
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| 📰 Publicación: | talksport.com |
| ✍️ Autor: | Paul Prenderville |
| 📅 Fecha Original: | 2026-04-22 18:39:00 |
| 🔗 Enlace: | Ver artículo original |
Nota de transparencia: Este artículo ha sido traducido y adaptado del inglés al español para facilitar su comprensión. El contenido se mantiene fiel a la fuente original, disponible en el enlace proporcionado arriba.
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