Miami.- The coach of USAthe Argentine Mauricio Pochettinoquestioned Tuesday that the Gold Cup coincides with him Club World Cupconsidering that he will lose a unique opportunity to prepare his selected for the 2026 World Cup.
Being host next to Canada and Mexico of the World Cup next year, the United States has few options to sign, so the Gold Cup is an auspicious opportunity for Team USA.
But a good part of the competition coincides (June 14-July 6) with the celebration of the Club World Cup (June 14, July 3), which will also be held on American soil and must bring together some of the best players on the planet.
“It is a competition (the Club World Cup) that does not leave any of the selections in a good situation,” Pochettino said in a virtual press conference.
“We understand that the football business is armed in this way and we have to minimize the damage that these competitions can play at the same time,” he added.
The former technician of Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham said that the coincidence between both competitions “Force” selections such as the United States, Mexico, Canada and Panama to “dispense with players” that could be in the Gold Cup.
Pochettino revealed that his coaching staff has been in contact with the players and their teams to have a clear panorama for the final list of summoned for the Gold Cup, which must be sent no later than June 4.
“We have had communication,” he said. “In the next few days we will see what the decision we are going to make regarding the players. We take (in account) all the arguments in the individual situations and we will seek to make the best decision.”
The United States will compete in Group D together with Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago and Saudi Arabia.
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The tournament will also serve as an opportunity to reverse what happened in March, when Team USA lost in front of Panama and Canada and was in the fourth place of the Concacaf Nations League.
Days before assuming the challenge of the Gold Cup, the United States will face Turkey and Switzerland in friendly games.
“When you are in a country like the United States you always have the pressure,” said the DT. “It is important to win to arrive in the best conditions to the World Cup. The two friendlies and the Gold Cup are a great opportunity to be together.”
