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Jeff Carlisle
TAMPA – United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino expressed that his regard and esteem for mentor and Uruguay manager Marcelo Bielsa «is vast,» while cautioning the Americans to prepare to endure challenges against his former coach’s team.
The two coaches are set to meet at Raymond James Stadium here on Tuesday as the U.S. and Uruguay clash in a friendly. Their connection dates back to when Pochettino was only 13, with Bielsa, then at the helm of the club’s reserve squad, successfully persuading him to join Argentine team Newell’s Old Boys, beginning with a visit to Pochettino’s home at dawn.
Bielsa subsequently coached Pochettino at Newell’s, La Liga club Espanyol, and with Argentina’s national squad.
«As always, my admiration and respect are immense,» proclaimed Pochettino at Monday’s pre-match press conference. «I cannot categorize him as a friend. I cannot view him as just another ordinary person. It’s a greater esteem. I communicate with him like someone you look up to, someone who is your hero. He’s the kind of individual you anticipate in a conversation. You always wait for him to greet you before you respond with a hello.»
The teams meet for the first time since Uruguay’s 1-0 victory over the U.S. during the group stage of the 2024 Copa America, a result that ended the Americans’ tournament run. In that game, Uruguay’s robust play eventually took its toll on the USMNT.
Pochettino anticipates similar challenges from La Celeste, which finished fourth in the World Cup qualifying rounds in South America,
«Yes, [Tuesday] is something I look forward to, being close to him,» Pochettino stated regarding Bielsa. «And at the same time, we are going to experience hardship because all teams under Marcelo’s leadership are extremely tough to face.»
Recently, the U.S. has demonstrated an increased readiness to match physical challenges, particularly in last Saturday’s 2-1 win over Paraguay. Toward the end of the match, a full-blown brawl ensued when U.S. defender Alex Freeman retrieved the ball for a U.S. throw-in, while Paraguay’s Gustavo Gómez attempted to snatch it, leading to Freeman putting him in a headlock. Both benches reacted, and while Pochettino recognizes the hazards of such scenarios, he was pleased to see the U.S. players standing up for each other.
«I think we all now feel immense pride regarding how we acted and conducted ourselves, and indeed Alex was commendable for defending and caring about the ball, regarding the decision made by the referee that the ball was ours, and that reflects character and our commitment,» Pochettino remarked. «I truly felt joy when that occurred because I believe when aggression is provoked from the opposing side, we must protect ourselves, and that moment was a clear display of pride in how we perceive ourselves and how we are.
«Such situations can certainly be [hazardous], but I hope they don’t recur. Nonetheless, if anyone [disrespects] us, we will stand our ground. That remains the most crucial aspect.»
Pochettino also expressed satisfaction with how other dimensions of the USMNT’s identity are evolving.
«I observe our identity in the manner we construct play from the back, and how we adhere to the game’s principles,» stated Pochettino. «The tactical execution in our style of play, our ability to rotate positions, how we utilize space, how we build from the back, and how we execute in a medium block or when transitioning to dominate the game in the opponent’s half.»
The encounter against Uruguay will mark the U.S.’s final match of 2025. Pochettino’s squad has scheduled two friendlies in March — likely against Portugal and Belgium — followed by two more in late May or early June in preparation to host the World Cup next summer alongside Canada and Mexico.
