Mauricio Pochettino is already seeing signs of cohesion after his United States side beat Jamaica to secure a place in the Concacaf Nations League semi-finals.
Leading 1-0 from the first leg, the USMNT proved too strong for the Reggae Boyz on a wet night in St Louis, winning 4-2 to secure a comfortable 5-2 aggregate triumph and advance to the last four in March.
Perhaps more importantly for Pochettino, who has been in the role for a little over two months, he saw a togetherness that gave him confidence for the challenges that lie ahead.
ON TO THE SEMIFINALS 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
What a night in St. Louis! pic.twitter.com/RJRE2tvR2C
— U.S. Soccer Men’s National Team (@USMNT) November 19, 2024
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We are one team – Pochettino
He said: “I’m so happy because in these two camps in two months I think it’s amazing in the way that we are one team.
“I think it’s a team that is very careful about each other, that we fight for each other, how the staff look after the player but the player look for the staff. I think we are creating that idea of [being] all together and feel confidence and that is the most important thing.”
Christian Pulisic was again the standout, the States’ captain scoring twice in the first half to add to a goal from Ricardo Pepi.
The returning Tim Weah, making his first appearance since his red card at the Copa America, netted after the break with Demarai Gray grabbing a couple of consolation goals for Steve McClaren’s Jamaica.
“I am so pleased. The first 45 minutes is the way that we want to grow, build our journey together and I think it was fantastic to see the players perform,” Pochettino said.
“In a short period, and with not too [much] time to work, I think in the way that they adapt and receive all the concepts and in the way that we try to play, I think they show that we have unbelievable players with the capacity to understand quick, learn quick and that is because [of] our talented players.”
Pulisic happy under Poch
Milan star Pulisic also felt the States were on an upward trajectory as they continue to build towards the 2026 World Cup.
He said: “We came out really hot.
“We should definitely feel good after these results. We’re obviously learning a lot of new things obviously with the new coach.”
