5 questions facing the USMNT as World Cup kickoff ...
Key takeaways
- He has taken a look at 67 different players and whittled that down to a 26-man squad.
- It's a moment that really has no parallel in program history.
- "Not getting embarrassed" was the goal 32 years ago.
Why this matters: a sports story that could shift standings, legacies, or fan conversations.
He has taken a look at 67 different players and whittled that down to a 26-man squad. He has overseen a pair of inspiring performances over the past 10 days, a 3-2 win over Senegal and a 2-1 defeat to Germany. And now, on Friday, he takes the USMNT into the FIFA World Cup.
It's a moment that really has no parallel in program history. Sure, the U.S. has hosted this tournament before, and the 1994 edition was a magical, transformative moment for the game in this country, but that team was playing with house money.
"Not getting embarrassed" was the goal 32 years ago. But now? With a manager as recognizable as Pochettino, with players scattered across Europe's most storied clubs, the bar is set significantly higher.