Christian Pulisic is confident new United States coach Mauricio Pochettino will improve the culture within the squad after revealing his desperation to “turn the page” with the national team.
The USMNT was last night held to a 1-1 draw by New Zealand in Cincinnati, just half an hour after it was announced Pochettino had signed a two-year contract to replace the fired Gregg Berhalter.
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Pulisic put the US in front in the 69th minute, shortly after coming on as a substitute, but Ben Waine grabbed an equaliser for the visitors with a minute of normal time remaining.
It was a fourth game on the trot without a win and Pulisic is relishing the opportunity for change.
The Milan midfielder said: “It’s time to turn the page and we really have to pick it up a level.
“Everyone is part of this and it feels pretty low right now, but I know there’s better times ahead.”
Asked what he thought former Tottenham, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea boss Pochettino would look to implement, he added: “Hopefully a culture that is willing to fight, that is willing to take risks.
“There’s a lot of things that need to change, just the mentality and the culture of the group. I think we have the quality but hopefully that’s the first thing that he is going to want to change.”
CP10 on new #USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino 🎙️ pic.twitter.com/Roj9VQD5vs
— U.S. Soccer Men’s National Team (@USMNT) September 11, 2024
Pochettino’s contract will take him through to the 2026 World Cup which the States will co-host alongside Mexico and Canada.
Mikey Varas, who took over from Berhalter on an interim basis while the pursuit of Pochettino was concluded, is eager to see what the Argentine produces.
Varas said: “Everybody is excited for this next chapter. He brings tremendous quality.
“I’m proud that we moved the program forward a little bit. And Mauricio coming, now it’s going to be accelerated, and I think really good things are ahead of us.”
