Mauricio Pochettino is relishing the opportunity to observe some of his fringe players when the United States take on Mexico tonight.
Pochettino enjoyed a successful debut on the USMNT bench on Saturday as his side beat Panama 2-0 in Austin but it will be a much-changed line-up that takes to the field at the Estadio Akron.
Marlon Fossey, Ricardo Pepi, Weston McKennie and Zack Steffen have all been ruled out of the trip through injury while Milan star Christian Pulisic is being rested due to concerns over his workload.
“It’s really important for the players because I think we all want to have the opportunity to play, to show quality,” Pochettino said.
“It’s a little bit sad because these guys that work here want to help and play for the team. But at the same time when one door is closed, another can be opened, there will be a possibility for another player to play.”
Evening work in Estadio Akron 💼 pic.twitter.com/et6oPC7ju2
— U.S. Soccer Men’s National Team (@USMNT) October 15, 2024
It’s not just his players’ technical attributes that Pochettino will be paying close attention to. Mexico and the US have always had a healthy rivalry and it is likely to be a hostile atmosphere in Guadalajara.
“For us it’s another game to learn, to learn like a group to feel adversity, to feel that we are going to compete,” Pochettino said. “And that is how to increase our experience and then to develop the experience to be better and better and better.
“For me it’s always a massive opportunity to challenge ourselves and to challenge the players.”
Poch is a big fan of Aguirre
Mexico are going through a transitional stage but have still lost just one of their last five games under the experienced Javier Aguirre, and Pochettino accepts it will be a difficult game.
He added: “Of course it’s going to be tough. Mexico is a magnificent team with a very good coach, [and a] very good person.
“There are not many coaches who compete like him, the capacity, the emotional intelligence and the intelligence of managing the group. For me he is one of the best, for me he is a great gentleman, he is a man with a lot of experience.”
