Poch praises Pulisic: “For the first time, we cannot complain”

USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino was full of praise for Christian Pulisic after the 27-year-old put in a match-winning performance in the team’s 3-2 win over Senegal.

Pulisic had come under criticism in recent months, in large part owing to his long stretch without a goal for club and country. But on Sunday he looked back to his best, recording a goal and an assist in a dominant first-half performance.

The forward’s return to form comes at the perfect time ahead of the World Cup, with less than two weeks to go until the tournament opener against Paraguay. Speaking after the game Pochettino said that he was “so happy” for the US talisman.

“I think for the first time we cannot complain or say anything [about Pulisic’s performance]” said Pochettino. “For me, today the performance of Christian for 45 minutes was really, really good. But he still has the potential to improve.”

Speaking about Sunday’s match-winning performance, Pochettino said: “It is the way that he is training, from day one. How he played for those 45 minutes was the habit of how he trained for the last week.”

Defenses mistakes nearly costly

It wasn’t all positive, however. Both of Senegal’s goals came after defenses lapses from the United States. The first came when Sadio Mane was allowed to ghost in behind the US backline and finish under minimal pressure from the retreating defenders. The second, a calamity of errors in which both Miles Robinson and Chris Brady were left red-faced.

Pochettino admitted that there is still room for improvement, but insisted that his team’s attitude in the victory was a cause for optimism: “We concede, through our own mistakes, chances. We need to improve how we manage some situations.”

“I think that we are now conscious of the things that we need to improve. We have been talking for a year and a half; now it’s the reality,” Pochettino said. “We saw the commitment of everyone there. With that attitude and commitment - we have the talent, players with enormous talent - but we need to keep continuously improving.”

Next up for the US, a sterner test against Germany at Soldier Field, Chicago on Saturday, June 6. That will be the final chance for players to impress Pochettino and force their way into the starting line up for the World Cup opener.

The United States’ first group stage game will see the team face Paraguay on Friday, June 12. Followed by Australia (June 19) and Türkiye (June 25) to round out the group stage.

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