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Tim Weah is heading into his second FIFA World Cup with the U.S. Men's National Team -Credit:Jamie Squire/Getty Images
With his second FIFA World Cup mere days away, U.S. Men’s National Team star Tim Weah has given an insight into how the team has changed under the leadership of Mauricio Pochettino.
Brought in back in September 2024 to guide the USMNT through the home World Cup this summer, the ex-Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea boss has so far guided his side to 15 wins, one tie, and 10 defeats.
But a true assessment of his tenure cannot be made until after this summer’s tournament, which is being co-hosted by the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, especially with Pochettino having repeatedly stated that he believes his side should be pushing to go all the way.
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Weah believes Mauricio Pochettino has helped the USMNT become more aggressive -Credit:Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Ahead of their first group stage game on Friday at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, against Paraguay, Weah was quizzed on what former Argentina international Pochettino had brought to this team.
“Obviously, as you see, against Germany, the aggressiveness, the fight. I think he brings that South American spirit that we've been missing,” he said. “We've always been the good guys, so now it's kind of nice being on the other end and being the aggressor a bit. It's fun. Coach Poch is an amazing coach, and I can't wait to see what we do under him.”
The USMNT has faced Paraguay once since Pochettino took charge, defeating the South American side 2-1 back in November thanks to goals from Gio Reyna and Folarin Balogun - both of whom made the World Cup roster.
A chippy game at times, Weah expects nothing less this time around, commenting, “We know that Paraguay is an aggressive team. A team with a lot of quality.
“It was the team I got my first cap against, so it'll be wonderful to face them again in such a prestigious tournament. I think we're going to the game with a lot of respect for Paraguay.
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“We know that they're going to be super, super aggressive, so we're going to have to match that. We saw that the last time we played them. We're just going to have to stay focused for the whole game.”
After Paraguay, all eyes will turn to the USMNT’s second of three group games against Australia, which happens to fall on Juneteenth.
When asked about this and “the importance of Black representation at the highest level of football,” Weah replied, “I think representation, not only in football, just in general, is huge.”
He continued, “I have a whole bunch of kids back at home that are going to see me on TV and that are going to dream to be in the same position, which is a beautiful thing.
“As a young black man, growing up in football, we all had our positive representation, from the Jozy’s (Altidore) to the (DeMarcus) Beasley’s to the Maurice Edu’s and all those guys. Those are guys that I looked up to, and I'm happy to be at the forefront, leading the way for the next child to dream.”
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