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Mauricio Pochettino opted to let his players know who did and did not make the FIFA World Cup roster via an emailed video -Credit:Adam Hunger/Getty Images
U.S. Men’s National Team head coach Mauricio Pochettino fiercely defended the decision to notify players whether or not they had made the final 26-man FIFA World Cup roster via an emailed video during a press conference on Tuesday.
During an event in New York where the roster was officially announced, although it had already been leaked days earlier, Pochettino was quick to back their chosen method of communication, despite criticism from some suggesting it was lacking in tact.
Regardless, Pochettino said he and his staff are all about “very clear” communication, and that their method of conveying roster news won’t change depending on the scale of any particular camp or event.
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Tanner Tessmann was one of the more surprising absentees from the roster -Credit:Johnnie Izquierdo/USSF/Getty Images
The former Argentina international was also keen to point out that during his playing days, the last thing he wanted was to speak with the coach that had just cut him.
“What are you going to say? Am I going to lie?” he asked. “‘You are not in the roster because I believe that another teammate is today, in that period, is a better option. I don't say that is better player and you cannot make the roster in the future.’”
He went on to ask whether he should call every player he cut from the provisional 55-man roster, or maybe even those from the March or January camps who didn’t make it.
“I think that is not the way. And come on, how I grow up in my country, football is about to do everything to try to be in the roster,” Pochettino continued.
“If I don't make the roster, I need to think in like now, until the one day before, things can happen. They need to be ready because maybe we can call. That is the sport. That is football. That is soccer, and we cannot change the rules.”
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Pochettino was also adamant that he cares about his players, but that he simply doesn’t see the need to “confuse” them.
“I understand the player, that didn't make the roster, they don't want to hear me say, ‘Oh, apologize, oh, whatever.’ I care. Do you know why I care? Because during [the last] two weeks I didn't sleep.
“And today, still I cannot enjoy the 26 guys that are in front of me, because I am thinking of players that are out…If I call, it's about myself. I say, ‘Oh, I call, I am very human about calling and then giving an explanation.’ Come on, that is b—----.”
USMNT legend Landon Donovan later weighed in on Pochettino’s explanation, admitting that while he understood his thinking, he still would have preferred a direct call.
Speaking to The Guardian, Donovan said. “I can understand where he’s coming from. To some extent, I was thinking about it this morning – not hearing from him directly might actually be a good thing.
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Diego Luna also did not make Pochettino's World Cup roster -Credit:Howard Smith/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images
“It’s a s—-- situation, it’s not gonna change anything. Yes, if I was a part of the team for a long time, I would’ve wanted a phone call. If I’d not been part of the team for a long time, I wouldn’t have cared. Every player is different, though.”
However, as Pochettino mentioned, even those who didn’t make the cut should stay on alert for the time being, with the final rosters not official until June 1, and injuries always an unwelcome possibility.
In the meantime, the USMNT is set to host Senegal on May 31 before taking on Germany on June 6, marking their final pre-World Cup friendly.
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