Pochettino Leads US Team Against Mexico, Eyes on World Cup
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00:00The United States comes in with a new approach under manager Mauricio Pochettino.
00:10It is his first time leading the U.S. men's national team in this fierce rivalry.
00:15And he's made it very clear, while the long-term goal is preparing for the World Cup, the short-term
00:20focus is winning every single game, especially against Mexico.
00:25The roster has a blend of veterans and rising stars.
00:28Zach Stephens is back on goal, trying to reclaim his spot after being sidelined for the last
00:33World Cup.
00:34And then, there's the midfield.
00:35What a midfield.
00:36A spoil of riches for the U.S., Weston McKinney, back after a brief absence, John Junius Musa,
00:42and Gianluca Busio, the Wanderking, the promise of the U.S. soccer system, who had a standout
00:46season in Italy with Venezia.
00:48Now, this match will be a real test of how quickly the squad can adapt to Pochettino's
00:54philosophy, especially with time being so limited.
00:57Both teams have plenty at stake.
00:59Even in a friendly.
01:00It is all about momentum heading into the 2026 cycle.
01:04And these, these are the kind of games that shape the mentality of a squad.
01:09But let's not forget, this international break is more than just Mexico contra Estados Unidos.
01:13Francisco, let's talk about Conmebol, Brazil, the elephant in the room, they're doing not
01:18so well.
01:19They are in fifth place.
01:20Please talk to me.
01:21What's happening down south?
01:22Well, Marcelino, guys, I'd like to focus on Brazil.
01:26Brazil is the giant.
01:27We all know they're the top dog in South America.
01:30But they're not looking great in this edition of the Conmebol qualifiers for the next World
01:35Cup.
01:36It'll be unthinkable.
01:37You know, just, you know, going through my mind, I cannot fathom the fact that Brazil
01:42wouldn't make it to the World Cup.
01:44They're the only team that has made it to every single edition.
01:47Yes, no other team has achieved that feat.
01:49However, it seems that Brazil does not have any real superstars that will scare the other
01:54team.
01:56You know, it's Hendricks, Rodrigo, up top, you know, not bad.
01:58You know, I'd be jealous if I was any other team coach.
02:02But even the new coach, Dorival Junior, has admitted it.
02:06The fact that a lot of people think that they don't have any major stars, especially with
02:10injury to Neymar Junior, they started by losing three of their first qualifying games for
02:17the next World Cup.
02:18So, yeah, the start has been rocky for Dorival Junior and Brazil after he got to replace
02:24Diniz at the end of last year.
02:27So then again, it's not looking like Brazil has that connection.
02:32Even then again, Dorival Junior recently admitted that it's really hard when you have 1,500
02:36players playing outside of Brazil, when they have to concentrate, when they have to go
02:40back in action.
02:42Yeah, it's hard to get that chemistry in.
02:44It's hard to obviously get that connection in.
02:46But they know.
02:47They understand it.
02:48I think the key game for Brazil will happen next Tuesday against Peru.
02:53They're going back home.
02:54They need to not only win, but they need to dominate and they need to change their mind.
02:58All the fans, they need to let everyone know that Brazil is back.
03:01That will be up to Dorival Junior and the players to connect then again.
03:07And for them to dictate if Brazil is for real in this competition.
03:11Yes, I think there's enough spots for Brazil.
03:13Yes, I think they're going to make it to the World Cup.
03:15But then again, it's a lot about optics.
03:17It's a lot about how they're looking entering the next World Cup in Mexico, Canada and the
03:22US.
03:23We'll have more in our next segment.
03:24But for now, talking about Brazil, we go back to you Marcelino in the studio.