Mauricio Pochettino is no longer perfect, or even undefeated, as USMNT head coach after getting a sour first impression of the US-Mexico rivalry on Tuesday.
[ RECAP: Mexico 2-0 USA: Raul Jimenez sinks Pochettino’s USMNT ]
The USMNT was short on confidence and superstar Christian Pulisic (load management) was no longer with the squad, not to mention eight other regular starters were out with injuries.
[ MORE: Player ratings from Mexico vs USMNT ]
Here’s what stood out the most as the USMNT now turns its attention to a CONCACAF Nations League quarter-final tie next month…
Christian Pulisic does a lot of for the USMNT
We already knew that, but it’s nice to be reminded of it every now and then.
On the one hand, it’s exciting that Pulisic has risen to a level where he can single-handedly make the USMNT offense dangerous. On the other hand, it is a bit worrying that Pulisic always has to do this for the USMNT attack, otherwise there will be no attack – as was the case on Tuesday, when Pulisic had left camp to return to AC Milan this weekend. Clearly, things are about to get worse with Giovanni Reyna, Timothy Weah and Folarin Balogun also out of the squad. If you take away the starting four forwards from the USMNT (or any other side not named France, England or Brazil), there’s a good chance things will get ugly.
The real concern was that Mexico was flooding and stifling the USMNT’s possession and progression in midfield to great success and ultimately dominance, and the Americans didn’t really have an answer or an alternative plan. Gianluca Busio and Aidan Morris are both good young passers, but even they need a target to hit, and Mexico had them all under the microscope. When the USMNT are usually under real pressure and they need someone who can get a quick pass without time or space and skate past a defender, or simply win a foul and a full reset, Pulisic is the one they are all looking for. that play. The USMNT was unable to do any of those things on Tuesday, and it resulted in wave after wave of Mexican pressure (even if it wasn’t always threatening).
Antonee Robinson is tailor-made for Pochettino’s tactics
Something else we already knew, but it’s still fun to see it play out in real time. With a heavy workload, his 45 minutes were enough to get back to Fulham.
Like Danny Rose who came before him, Robinson will be one of the first (and most important) names on the sheet every time Pochettino chooses his team. At this point, Robinson is almost five years into a run of unwavering consistency that has made him one of the best left-backs in the world – just like Rose, only without the injuries that have robbed him of his prime (knock on wood). When Pochettino managed Tottenham, Rose was tasked with attacking and defending every blade of grass, from backline to backline, and he was damn good at it.
Blessed with the same explosive pace and world-class stamina as Rose, Robinson already looks right at home playing for the new gaffer. Robinson is just as valuable when he bombs forward in attack as he is when he goes back and wins shoulder-to-shoulder battles with the best wingers in the world. Robinson’s partnership with Pulisic, who is usually deployed in front of him on the left, is also a huge strength for Pochettino to utilize early in his tenure, just as he did in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Panama.
Side note: For many of the reasons above, Sergino Dest may not enjoy playing for Pochettino when he eventually returns from the torn ACL he suffered on April 20.
Well, actuallylosing to Mexico is good for the rivalry
I don’t actually believe that, but the USMNT were previously undefeated in their last seven matches against Mexico (5W-2D-0L) since 2019, including wins in three different finals and a semifinal during that stretch. Total score in seven games: 12-3. A handful of them weren’t close or competitive. The US and Mexico will continue to exist as long as the sport is played, but two equal sides always make for a better game and a better rivalry. A better Mexican side makes a better American side, and vice versa. As much as the two teams and fanbases hate each other, they also need each other in equal parts.
