Pochettino hopes USA fans trust World Cup bid after friendly win over Senegal

[p]The [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/usa/fuitL4CF/"]US[/a], along with [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/canada/x4toKORL/"]Canada[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/mexico/O6iHcNkd/"]Mexico[/a], is co-hosting the tournament, which kicks off June 11th, with hopes high that stars like [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/pulisic-christian/vTuaEfRq/"]Christian Pulisic[/a] can lead the home side deep into the knockout stages.[/p][p]Though there are no minnows among World Cup opponents [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/paraguay/YaNlqp6j/"]Paraguay[/a], [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/australia/xSrf6qMM/"]Australia[/a], and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/turkey/QeijuHo5/"]Turkey[/a], anything less than progress beyond Group D would be an embarrassment for the US men's national team.[/p][p]The American public's expectations had been deflated by recent friendly losses to Portugal and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/belgium/GbB957na/"]Belgium[/a], and a longstanding poor track record against the most elite sides.[/p][p]But Sunday's win - [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/pochettino-mauricio/zuJM7XDg/"]Pochettino[/a]'s second as US coach against top-15 opposition, after beating [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/uruguay/xMk44orG/"]Uruguay[/a] in November - could prove as useful boosting morale among supporters as within the Team USA set-up, the coach said.[/p][p][b]"The good feelings with that victory, I think it's more important for the environment than for us,"[/b] said Pochettino.[/p][p][b]"For us, it's important always to win. But it is important also for the environment to trust a little bit after the last two games, against Belgium and Portugal."[/b][/p][p]He added, [b]"Today... we saw the commitment of everyone there. We have attitude and commitment, we have the talent, we have players that have enormous talent."[/b][/p][embed guid="8d6bc8fe-06f6-4175-bc70-ec9d14a6a4df" url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6k9UqACx1Cs&pp=ygULc2VuZWdhbCB1c2E%3D" social-type="youtube" /][p]Former [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/tottenham/UDg08Ohm/"]Tottenham Hotspur[/a], [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/chelsea/4fGZN2oK/"]Chelsea[/a], and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/psg/CjhkPw0k/"]Paris Saint-Germain[/a] manager Pochettino took over the US team at a low ebb in September 2024.[/p][p]After the dismal failure of not qualifying for the 2018 World Cup, the US had won the 2021 Gold Cup and three consecutive Nations Leagues.[/p][p]But after a respectable showing at the 2022 World Cup under coach Gregg Berhalter, the wheels came off spectacularly, with multiple early tournament exits leading to the dramatic hiring of the Argentine.[/p][p]Pochettino shook up a staid dressing room, scouring Major League Soccer for up-and-coming talent that could offer vital competition - or alternatives - to established stars.[/p][p]Even US talisman Pulisic has come under pressure and scrutiny in recent months.[/p][p]The [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/ac-milan/8Sa8HInO/"]AC Milan[/a] forward had not scored a single goal in 2026 and had not struck for the US since 2024. He managed a goal and an assist on Sunday before being withdrawn at halftime.[/p][p][b]"The performance of Christian in 45 minutes was really, really good,"[/b] said Pochettino.[/p][p][b]"I think he has still potential to improve, but in the way that he's training (from) day one, I felt that was what he needed."[/b][/p][p][b]"I'm so happy for him also because after a long time, a few months, he scored again, which is important for a player, knowing the preparation for the World Cup," [/b]added the coach.[/p][embed guid="d5f8e39a-d708-4fb4-aa57-cffc4b6bb5bf" url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9-j8T9E0o4&pp=ygUTTWF1cmljaW8gUG9jaGV0dGlubw%3D%3D" social-type="youtube" /][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/dest-sergino/lOQwOgTR/"]Sergino Dest[/a], playing in a more forward role than his typical defensive duties permit, scored on his return from injury. At the same time, first-choice striker [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/balgun-folarin/rVZLmUsU/"]Folarin Balogun[/a] added a third off the bench in the second half.[/p][p]The confidence boost from fending off Africa Cup of Nations finalists [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/senegal/hOIsJLJr/"]Senegal[/a] comes at a crucial time, with the US about to face arguably the World Cup's most evenly matched and competitive group.[/p][p]Before that, Pochettino's men face another daunting friendly against [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/germany/ptQide1O/"]Germany[/a] in Chicago this Saturday.[/p][p][b]"In one week, we are going to face another amazing national team like Germany," [/b]said the coach.[/p][p]But[b] "to be honest, it doesn't matter if we face Germany or another team."[/b][/p][p][b]"Why? Because in different (previous) games, we were the problem. Not to be in the right place, with the right commitment and with the right attitude, being a very solid group, and being all together, like we showed today."[/b][/p]