Pochettino US Coach Views World Cup Group Matches as Finals
On Friday Mauricio Pochettino stated that the United States squad is concentrating only on the group phase of the World Cup following a draw that has ignited expectations for a strong performance in the event.
The US coach Pochettino attended the proceedings in Washington where his team was assigned to Group D pitting them against Paraguay Australia and a European side still to be confirmed.
Pochettinos players approach the competition uplifted by awareness of their latest successes against two initial opponents securing a 2-1 victory over Paraguay last month and matching that result versus Australia in October.
Yet even as American broadcast experts like Alexi Lalas spoke confidently about potential semi final appearances Pochettino stressed no room exists for overconfidence.
He aims to instil in his side the perspective that each group encounter carries the weight of a World Cup final leading up to their debut match against Paraguay in Los Angeles on June 12.
If you represent Argentina and stand as perhaps the top side today with the recent World Cup title perhaps you consider stages beyond the groups Pochettino remarked.
But for the USA our opening match is the World Cup final and the next must feel the same he continued. Such is the attitude and approach we seek to foster.
Pochettino noted additionally that those fresh triumphs over Paraguay and Australia will hold minimal value by tournament start.
With six months remaining circumstances may shift he explained. It offers a useful benchmark for us and them alike though I see neither clear edge nor setback from it.
In the meantime Pochettino shared that he draws motivation from the 2004 film Miracle depicting the United States improbable 1980 Olympic ice hockey championship where an overlooked group triumphed over the dominant Soviet Union.
Pochettino indicated plans to assemble a World Cup roster guided by the outlook of 1980 US hockey leader Herb Brooks who declares in the film We do not require the finest athletes we require the suitable ones.
That approach is our goal for this national side selecting the proper individuals to form a formidable unit capable of challenging any global opponent Pochettino affirmed.