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Pochettino responds to criticism over squad notification method
US men's national team coach Mauricio Pochettino has addressed backlash after informing players of their World Cup squad exclusion via email, while those selected received personalized video messages.
How players learned their fate
According to reports from The Athletic, Pochettino sent emails to players who did not make the final 26-man roster for the upcoming World Cup. In contrast, the 26 selected players received individualized video messages from the coach.
Former player calls approach 'inexcusable'
Ex-US international forward Herculez Gomez, who previously praised former manager Jürgen Klinsmann for delivering his 2014 World Cup omission via voicemail, criticized Pochettino's method as unacceptable. Gomez made the remarks during an appearance on ESPN's Fútbol Americas.
Pochettino explains his reasoning
During a press conference, Pochettino defended his decision, stating that players who are cut would not want immediate contact from him.
"When I was a player, when I didn't make the roster, I didn't want my coach to call me. The players who didn't make the roster-they don't want to hear me say 'I apologize.' What are you going to say? Am I going to lie?"
Mauricio Pochettino, USMNT manager
He emphasized his personal struggle with the decision, revealing he had lost sleep over the cuts and remained preoccupied with those left out, even while focusing on the selected squad.
Pochettino's emotional conflict
"I care. Do you know why I care? Because during [the past] two weeks, I didn't sleep. And today, I still cannot fully enjoy the 26 guys in front of me because I'm thinking of the players who are out," Pochettino said.
He added that calling excluded players would be more about easing his own conscience than providing meaningful comfort to them.
USMNT's World Cup campaign begins
The United States, co-hosting the tournament, will kick off their Group D campaign against Paraguay on June 13. Subsequent matches will be against Australia and Turkey.
