Pulisic, Pepi absence opens door for other USMNT players – Pochettino

United States men’s coach Mauricio Pochettino said the door is open for new players to feature against Mexico on Tuesday night at Estadio Akron in Guadalajara after the departure of five players.

Marlon Fossey, Zack Steffen, Weston McKennie, Ricardo Pepi left U.S. camp after a 2-0 victory over Panama on Saturday due to injuries, while Christian Pulisic returned to AC Milan to avoid work overload.

Now, Pochettino will use the upcoming friendly as the last chance to observe other players before the next international window in November.

“It’s really important for the players because I think we all want to have the opportunity to play, to show quality,” said Pochettino on Monday ahead of the Mexico game. “It’s true, it’s a problem because I think we cannot have five players that can be involved in all of our quality. Some players that cannot be involved in the last game, against Panama and now in Mexico.

“It’s a little bit sad because these guys that work here want to help and play for the team. But at the same time when one door is closed, another can be opened, there will be a possibility for another player to play.”

The United States will face El Tri in a friendly on Mexican soil for the first time in 12 years, winning the last meeting 1-0 at the Estadio Azteca on Aug. 15, 2012. The new manager noted that playing abroad will give the coaching staff and players a chance to learn from the difficult atmosphere expected in Guadalajara, especially in the lead up to the 2026 World Cup.

“For us it’s another game to learn, to learn like a group to feel adversity, to feel that we are going to compete,” said Pochettino. “And that is how to increase our experience and then to develop the experience to be better and better and better.

“For me it’s always a massive opportunity to challenge ourselves and to challenge the players.”

The Argentine manager expects a difficult game against Javier Aguirre’s side, complimenting the Mexico coach for his competitive edge before warning players to anticipate a tough night.

“Of course it’s going to be tough. Mexico is a magnificent team with a great and very good coach, but a very good team and very good coach, very good person,” said Pochettino. “And of course it’s going to be tough, but we will enjoy it.

“There are not many coaches who compete like him, the capacity, the emotional intelligence and the intelligence of managing the group and after the game for me he is one of the best, for me he is a great gentleman, he is a man with a lot of experience.

“I repeat again without wanting to, not wanting to, maybe it seems like I don’t want to analyze Mexico, but I think that when we can compete next month in the Nations Cup and Concacaf, I think the approach is ‘how are we going to compete tomorrow?'”

Following the friendly against Mexico, the United States will prepare to face a yet to be determined opponent in the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals.