logo
Less than year from the World Cup, US player pool becomes a game of `Survivor'

Less than year from the World Cup, US player pool becomes a game of `Survivor'

Now comes the U.S. national team's version of 'Survivor.'
Having expanded his player pool during a CONCACAF Gold Cup that ended with a 2-1 loss to Mexico in Sunday's final, coach Mauricio Pochettino has eight friendlies left from September through March to evaluate players to pick for the World Cup.
'All the American players have the possibility,' Pochettino said. 'We need analyze every single player, see the circumstances, the situations, performance, fitness level.'
Following a CONCACAF Nations League flop with his A team in March, Pochettino had largely a B squad for the Gold Cup. Star Christian Pulisic wanted vacation time; Yunus Musah opted out for an undisclosed personal reason; Weston McKennie, Tim Weah and Gio Reyna were forced to be with their teams at the Club World Cup; Antonee Robinson and Folarin Balogun were hurt; and Sergiño Dest was regaining fitness.
Defender Tim Ream and Tyler Adams were the only holdovers in the lineup against Mexico from the starters in the 2022 World Cup second-round loss to the Netherlands.
Players who boosted themselves during the Gold Cup included goalkeeper Matt Freese, right back Alex Freeman, midfielders Malik Tillman and Sebastian Berhalter, and forward Patrick Agyemang.
'Guys have stepped up who were maybe taking a back seat previously, not that they're quiet mice and they just sit there and listen to everything,' said Ream, the 37-year-old who captained the U.S. against Mexico.
Pochettino has 10 wins and six losses since replacing Gregg Berhalter last fall. A segment of the team's fan base was discouraged by last year's first-round elimination at the Copa America, this year's Nations League and a four-game losing streak entering the Gold Cup, the team's longest skid since 2007.
Crowds that rooted overwhelming for Guatemala in the semifinals and Mexico in the final caused Pochettino to implore the American fan base to support its national team.
'I think it would have been different if we would have played in two stadiums, the other way around, both against Guatemala in St. Louis — 90 (%) to 10 for USA, and today, instead of 70,000 — I'm not saying 70, but 60 or 50,000 of our people supporting us,' he said Sunday. 'But, well, this is what we have to deal with.'
Even following Freese's emergence, the American goalkeeper pool is its weakest since the 1980s. Matt Turner has failed to establish himself with a top-tier European team, just like Zack Steffen. And given a chance to regain the starting spot after returning to Major League Soccer, Steffen got hurt ahead of the Gold Cup.
Richards and Ream are the strongest of the central defenders, and Dest and Robinson the top choice at outside back with no clear No. 2s. Midfield has the most depth and no one has seized the striker position.
Ex-players, including Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey and Tim Howard, have criticized the current player pool's dedication. Speaking late Sunday, Adams noted 'so much noise outside of what we were doing on the field' heading into the tournament.
'I told every single player after the game how proud I was just of the growth of every single individual,' Adams said.
He said the positive culture Pochettino established over five weeks together has to be maintained for friendlies against South Korea on Sept. 6 and Japan three days later.
'I think it has to translate right away or I think Mauricio just probably won't call people in,' Adams said. 'The culture that we have, it doesn't matter who you are. If it's guys here that played well, if it's guys coming back into the group, if you're coming back from injury, just whatever it is, the culture and the emotion is the first thing that he wants to see.'
There also will be a pair of friendlies in each of October, November and March, a possible January training camp mostly for MLS-based players and then two pre-World Cup send-off games in early June.
'The most important thing is to have our heads up,' Pochettino said. 'I have no doubt that we are going to be really, really competitive and going to be very difficult for the opponent.'
___
AP freelance writer Jeremy Rakes in Houston contributed to this report.
___
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

49ers WR Jauan Jennings hasn't formally requested a trade, expected to start camp amid push for new contract
49ers WR Jauan Jennings hasn't formally requested a trade, expected to start camp amid push for new contract

Yahoo

time25 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

49ers WR Jauan Jennings hasn't formally requested a trade, expected to start camp amid push for new contract

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings has not formally requested a trade away from the organization amid his push for a new deal. 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed as much on Tuesday, and said that he expects Jennings to be out on the field and participating in the first day of training camp on Wednesday. 'We anticipate him being out there,' general manager John Lynch said, via The Athletic's Vic Tafur. 'You guys know our feelings about JJ. He embodies what we think a Niner's all about. Plays the right way, and we love him. I think all that stuff, we're not going to talk about contracts and all that, that takes care of itself. But we love him and he's here.' [Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Football league for the 2025 NFL season] ESPN's Adam Schefter reported last week that Jennings has made it clear that he either wants a new contract with the organization or to be traded away. Jennings is set to make $7.5 million this season in the final year of his deal. According to Schefter, little progress has been made on an extension. But, if that's not done by the time camp opens on Wednesday, Jennings planned to make that formal request. It's unclear if that is still Jennings' plan, or if things have changed on that front. While there is still time to get such a deal done under that timeframe, it's very limited. Clearly, both Shanahan and Lynch believe that Jennings will be out there with the team come Wednesday regardless of the status of his new deal. Jennings, who the 49ers selected in the seventh round of the 2020 NFL Draft out of Tennessee, had 975 yards and six touchdowns on 77 catches last season. Those were all career-highs for the 28-year-old. Jennings signed a two-year, $15.39 million extension last summer to remain with the team this fall, though he'll become an unrestricted free agent next season if a new deal isn't reached. Even if Jennings doesn't hold out of training camp while angling for a new deal, that doesn't mean he'll necessarily be happy participating. If a new contract isn't reached in San Francisco soon, he could very easily find himself somewhere else by the start of the season.

Tyrann Mathieu announces his retirement
Tyrann Mathieu announces his retirement

Yahoo

time25 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Tyrann Mathieu announces his retirement

The Honey Badger is calling it a career. Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu has formally announced his retirement on Tuesday in a social media post. 'As I hang up my cleats, I'm filled with gratitude as I close this chapter of my life and officially retire from the game that's shaped me in every way,' Mathieu wrote. 'From my first snap in college to my final play in the NFL, this journey has been nothing short of a blessing. Football gave me purpose, discipline, and memories that will stay with me forever. But more than anything, it gave me a community. 'To every coach who believed in me, every teammate who battled beside me, and every fan who showed up, cheered, and rode with me through the highs and lows, thank you. You gave me strength when I needed it most, and your love carried me farther than I ever imagined. 'I hope I made you proud out there. This isn't goodbye — it's just the next chapter.' Mathieu, 33, had re-worked his contract to stay with the Saints earlier this offseason. But now, he's elected to pass on that opportunity. 'We had a little advance notice on that, so it wasn't like we were surprised today,' Saints G.M. Mickey Loomis said in his Tuesday press conference. 'I'm a little surprised, but we had some advance notice. Just have so much respect for Tyrann and what he's accomplished. He's a legendary Louisiana player, legendary NFL player. Really appreciate his time with us. He was fantastic. And I don't have enough good things to say about him — a lot of good things to say about him. What a great career and just wish him all the best.' Loomis added he thought this just came up in the last few days and didn't make an effort to talk Mathieu out of it. 'I wouldn't do that, especially a player of his experience,' Loomis said. 'He understands himself better than anyone. So, I wouldn't do that.' 'I just think he's one of those guys who commands respect by his actions, his deeds,' Loomis added. 'He's got a great message. He's very thoughtful, intelligent, super smart player. About all the right things on the football field and his experiences in life. He's just fantastic.' A Cardinals third-round pick in 2013 after playing his college ball at LSU, Mathieu played his first five seasons with Arizona before signing with Houston as a free agent. He then signed with the Chiefs in 2019, helping propel the club to a Super Bowl victory over the 49ers as a first-team All-Pro. He was again an All-Pro in 2020, as the Chiefs won a second consecutive AFC title. Mathieu made his way back to Louisiana in 2022, signing with the Saints in free agency. He started all 17 games for New Orleans over the last three seasons, recording 10 interceptions and 24 passes defensed for the franchise. In all, Mathieu appeared in 180 career games with 171 starts. He finishes as a three-time All-Pro and a three-time Pro Bowler with 36 interceptions, 100 passes defensed, seven forced fumbles, eight fumble recoveries, and 11.0 sacks.

Titans president of football operations: 'Nobody wants to hear that word patience' as team rebuilds
Titans president of football operations: 'Nobody wants to hear that word patience' as team rebuilds

Yahoo

time25 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Titans president of football operations: 'Nobody wants to hear that word patience' as team rebuilds

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Tennessee Titans aren't putting a measuring stick on what counts as success for 2025. Chad Brinker, the Titans' president of football operations, said Tuesday he just wants to see improvement after going 3-14 in 2024 and drafting at No. 1 overall in April. 'Nobody wants to hear that word patience,' Brinker said as the Titans reported for training camp. 'But the reality is we understand where we are as a roster. We got a lot of work to do, and we're going to be relying on a lot of young players this season to carry this football team.' Tennessee starts training camp Wednesday trying to snap a skid of three straight losing seasons, each with more losses than the season before. The three victories in 2024 were the least by the franchise since going 3-13 in 2015. The roster has had a dramatic makeover. The Titans added 34 free agents with five more through waivers or trades. Quarterback Cam Ward, the No. 1 pick overall, heads up a nine-player draft class. 'I do want to see our football team improve day to day, week to week to where by the end of the season, we'll see what we look like,' Brinker said. 'And hopefully we're healthy. It's a war of attrition.' Coach Brian Callahan is scheduled to speak to reporters before Wednesday's first practice of camp. Both Brinker and general manager Mike Borgonzi said they liked Callahan's approach this offseason, emphasizing competition to help clean up mistakes and issues that led to losses in his first season as a head coach. With Borgonzi hired as the new GM in January, Callahan's job security is a big question with the Titans working on an enclosed stadium opening in 2027. Brinker said he's seen Callahan grow in confidence, communication and how he and his assistants have developed players. 'We believe in Brian,' Brinker said. Staying put Borgonzi said they're happy with the quarterback room as it is now. The Titans announced Monday that Will Levis decided to have season-ending shoulder surgery in a surprising move. Ward is expected to be the starter when the season opens Sept. 7 at Denver, but Levis had an open path to be the backup. Now nobody currently on the roster took a snap under center for Tennessee last season. Ward is joined by a pair of journeymen in Brandon Allen, 32, and Tim Boyle, 30. Allen, a sixth-round pick by Jacksonville out of Arkansas in 2016, has played for Denver, Cincinnati and San Francisco. He started a game last season and appeared in two others for the 49ers, throwing for 199 yards with one TD pass and two interceptions. Boyle is with his seventh NFL team. He appeared in three games last season for Miami and the New York Giants. He has more career interceptions (13) than touchdown passes (five). PUP list A pair of starters will begin camp on the physically unable to perform list. Borgonzi said center Lloyd Cushenberry and conerback L'Jarius Sneed are both week to week. Cushenberry is working to return from the Achilles tendon injury that limited him to eight games last season. Sneed, a big trade acquisition in March 2024, is trying to return now from an injured knee after a procedure in May. A quadriceps injury put him on injured reserve after he played only five games. Borgonzi said edge rusher Lorenzo Carter told him Monday that he's retiring. Ready to go Wide receiver Treylon Burks (partially torn ACL) and rookie safety Kevin Winston Jr., (ACL) will be available fully Wednesday. Joint practices The Titans will practice with the Buccaneers once ahead of their preseason opener Aug. 9. They have two joint practices Aug. 12 and 13 with the Falcons in Atlanta before their preseason game Aug. 15. ___ AP NFL:

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store