The U.S. men’s national soccer team has begun its Gold Cup journey this summer with plenty of drama on and off the field.
Ahead of Sunday’s opener against Trinidad and Tobago, USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino took a shot at the team’s biggest star, Christian Pulisic, who was not permitted to play in two recent friendlies after opting not to play in the Gold Cup.
“Players need to listen and stick with our plan,” Pochettino said Saturday. “They cannot dictate the plan.”
Last week, Pulisic said he respected Pochettino’s decision but “didn’t understand it.”
In response to those remarks, Pochettino said he didn’t need players to understand his decisions. “When I signed my contract with the federation, I am the head coach,” he said. “I am not a mannequin.”
Summer Competition
The Gold Cup is being played at NFL and MLS stadiums across the U.S., and one in Vancouver, at the same time as the first edition of FIFA’s newly revamped Club World Cup.
The USMNT’s three Gold Cup group-play matches include stops in San Jose (PayPal Park), Austin (Q2 Stadium), and Dallas (AT&T Stadium).
NRG Stadium will host the tournament’s final on July 6. MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., will host the Club World Cup final on July 13.
Inter Miami and Egyptian club Al-Ahly played out a scoreless draw at Hard Rock Stadium to kick off the Club World Cup Saturday night. The announced attendance was just 60,927. Lionel Messi played the entire game.
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