The US men’s national team has confirmed a 26-man squad for the World Cup. Hosting guarantees a place in the 48-team field but removes the qualifying process that tests pressure and reveals a group’s core. Mauricio Pochettino’s mid-cycle appointment left his early tenure focused on evaluating individuals before refining a collective. The US is unlikely to field an A-team in friendlies versus Senegal in Charlotte and Germany in Chicago, and the full game plan will be withheld until the group-stage opener against Paraguay on 12 June. Christian Pulisic is the top priority after a scoring drought: 38 Milan shots since 1 January without a goal, six more attempts in March friendlies, and 1,164 consecutive minutes for club and country without scoring.
"I've thought of it a little bit, Pochettino said Thursday when asked if he knows his best lineup. I am honest. The only thing that can change is that sometimes watching them in training, I think, Oof. I was thinking in that but now I don't see.' [I have had the XI in mind since] before March. But we'll see. I will let you know."
Read at www.theguardian.com
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