AFP – If Mauricio Pochettino had any illusions about the scale of the task that awaits him as newly appointed head coach of the United States (US), yesterday’s 1-1 draw with New Zealand would have set him straight.
The friendly in Cincinnati, against the 94th-ranked team in the world, continues a miserable run of form for the Americans who have now managed just one win in their last seven games – all held on home soil.
Substitute Christian Pulisic looked to have earned a victory with his 69th-minute strike but some hesitant defending led to a fortunate leveller from Ben Waine with a minute of regulation time remaining.
Former Tottenham Hotspur and Paris Saint-Germain coach Pochettino was named as the man to lead the USA into the 2026 World Cup just half an hour before the kick-off in Cincinnati. His arrival, to replace Gregg Berhalter, fired in July after a disappointing Copa America campaign, cannot come soon enough for a USA team that has lost its way, less than two years out from the World Cup they will co-host with Mexico and Canada.
Last Saturday’s friendly defeat to the Canadians, their first on home soil since 1957, followed losses to Panama and Uruguay in the Copa America.
There was never any question of interim coach Mikey Varas being handed the job with talks with Pochettino having progressed several weeks ago and injuries and the low stakes for the game meant he experimented with his line-up. Pochettino will be in charge for October friendlies against Panama in Austin and Mexico in Guadalajara and Pulisic is looking forward to a new chapter for the team.
“Obviously difficult results for us and it’s not a great feeling, but I think moving forward it’s time to turn a page and we really have to pick it up a level. I mean everyone that’s a part of this and it feels pretty low right now, but I know that there’s better times ahead,” he said.
